Topuria and Makhachev dispute claims over cancelled White House fight bout

Ilia Topuria claimed he was informed he would fight Islam Makhachev at the White House event and went to sleep expecting that announcement, but was told hours before the official card reveal that Makhachev had suffered an injury and he would instead face Justin Gaethje. Topuria stated he doesn't understand why Makhachev doesn't want to fight him and called him "strange." Makhachev countered these claims, saying he accepted the White House fight when offered, but was told the next day that Topuria had requested an enormous purse and was denied, leading to Topuria's withdrawal from the bout. Makhachev stated that even Topuria's manager confirmed this version of events and accused the featherweight champion of lying. In a curious detail, when a fan commented at 4 AM telling "Ali" to go to sleep, Makhachev responded "Today it's not him," suggesting someone else was managing his social media account. The conflicting accounts have left the MMA community debating who is telling the truth.