Topuria and Makhachev exchange conflicting accounts of failed White House bout

Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev have offered contradicting versions of why their proposed fight at the White House event fell through. Topuria claimed he went to sleep knowing the fight was set to be announced, but received a call hours before the announcement saying Makhachev was injured and he would face Justin Gaethje instead. Topuria expressed confusion about why Makhachev doesn't want to fight him. Makhachev responded by stating he's tired of hearing fabrications from Topuria and his team, explaining that he agreed to the White House fight when offered, but was told the next day that Topuria requested a huge fee and was denied. Makhachev insisted that Topuria refused the fight and accused him of lying, even noting that Topuria's manager confirmed this version. The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between the two champions regarding the circumstances surrounding the collapsed superfight.