Topuria and Makhachev offer conflicting accounts of failed White House fight

Ilia Topuria claimed he went to sleep expecting a fight with Islam Makhachev would be announced for the White House event, only to receive a call hours before the announcement stating Makhachev was injured and he would face Justin Gaethje instead. Topuria said he doesn't know why Makhachev doesn't want the fight, calling him "strange." Makhachev countered that he agreed to the White House bout when offered, but was told the next day that Topuria demanded a huge fee and was rejected. Makhachev stated that even Topuria's manager confirmed this version, calling Topuria's account lies. In response to a fan comment at 4 AM suggesting Ali Abdelaziz was posting, Makhachev clarified "Today it's not him," implying he personally wrote the response. The conflicting narratives leave uncertainty about what actually transpired in negotiations.