Topuria and Makhachev dispute details over scrapped White House fight

Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev have publicly disagreed over the circumstances surrounding their canceled bout that was scheduled to be announced at a White House event. Topuria claimed he went to sleep knowing the fight with Makhachev was confirmed, but hours before the announcement was told that Islam had sustained an injury and he would instead face Justin Gaethje. Topuria expressed confusion about why Makhachev doesn't want to fight him, calling the situation strange. Makhachev countered that he accepted the White House fight offer but was subsequently informed that Topuria had requested an excessive purse and was denied, claiming even Topuria's manager confirmed this version. Makhachev stated he is tired of hearing fabrications from Topuria and his team, asserting that Topuria was the one who refused the bout. The conflicting accounts have added another layer to the ongoing tension between the two champions.