Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev dispute claims over canceled White House fight

Ilia Topuria claimed he was scheduled to fight Islam Makhachev at the White House event but was told hours before the announcement that Makhachev was injured and he would instead face Justin Gaethje. Topuria expressed confusion about why Makhachev would not want the fight. Makhachev responded by calling Topuria's account fabricated, stating he agreed to the fight when offered but was told the next day that Topuria requested a massive fee and was denied. Makhachev insisted that Topuria refused the bout and that even Topuria's manager confirmed this version of events. The conflicting accounts have created controversy about who is telling the truth.