Topuria and Makhachev trade accusations over cancelled White House bout

Ilia Topuria claimed he was told hours before the White House announcement that he would fight Islam Makhachev, but was then informed Makhachev was injured and he would face Justin Gaethje instead. Islam Makhachev responded by calling Topuria's version a fabrication, stating that he agreed to the White House fight but was told the next day that Topuria requested a huge fee and was denied. Makhachev insisted that Topuria rejected the bout and accused him of lying, adding that even Topuria's manager confirmed this version. When a fan joked that it was 4 AM and suggested Ali Abdelaziz go to sleep, Makhachev clarified "today it's not him," implying he was responding personally. The conflicting accounts leave the true reason for the cancelled matchup unclear.