Ilia Topuria claimed he was scheduled to fight Islam Makhachev at the White House event and was told Makhachev withdrew due to injury hours before the announcement. Topuria questioned why Makhachev doesn't want to fight him. Makhachev responded by saying Topuria is lying and that he accepted the bout but Topuria requested a huge purse and was denied. Makhachev stated that Topuria refused the fight and that even Topuria's manager confirmed this version of events. The exchange included a fan comment noting Makhachev was posting at 4 AM, to which Makhachev replied "Today it's not him," suggesting someone else manages his account at times.
