Topuria and Makhachev dispute White House event fight negotiations

Illia Topuria and Islam Makhachev have provided contradicting accounts of what transpired during negotiations for a potential fight at the White House event. Topuria claims he went to sleep knowing the Makhachev fight was scheduled to be announced, but received a call hours before the announcement saying Makhachev was injured and he would fight Justin Gaethje instead. Makhachev countered that he agreed to the White House fight, but was told the next day that Topuria requested a huge fee and was denied, with Topuria's own manager allegedly confirming this version. Makhachev insisted Topuria refused the fight and accused him of lying. In a late-night social media post, Makhachev clarified that he was not the one managing his account at 4 AM. The conflicting statements have left fans debating which fighter is telling the truth about the failed negotiation.