Topuria and Makhachev exchange conflicting accounts of White House event bout negotiations

Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev have publicly contradicted each other regarding negotiations for a potential fight that was supposed to be announced at a White House event. Topuria claimed he went to sleep knowing he would fight Makhachev, but hours before the announcement received a call saying Makhachev was injured and he would instead face Justin Gaethje. Topuria stated he doesn't understand why Makhachev doesn't want to fight him. In response, Makhachev accused Topuria of fabricating the story, stating he agreed to the fight when offered, but was told the next day that Topuria demanded a huge fee and was denied. Makhachev insisted that Topuria refused the fight and knows it, calling on him to stop lying. The public disagreement highlights ongoing tension between the two champions and confusion over who actually declined the proposed matchup.