Topuria and Makhachev dispute who backed out of White House fight

Illia Topuria and Islam Makhachev have provided conflicting accounts about why their fight for the White House event fell through. Topuria claimed he went to sleep knowing he would fight Makhachev, but was told hours before the announcement that Islam was injured and he would instead face Justin Gaethje. Makhachev responded by stating he agreed to the White House fight when offered, but was then told Topuria requested a huge fee and was denied, resulting in the fight being scrapped. Makhachev accused Topuria and his team of lying, noting that even Topuria's manager confirmed the money issue. The public exchange includes Makhachev noting that the late-night social media post was actually him and not his manager Ali Abdelaziz, as fans speculated.