Chael Sonnen Admits Insulting Situation for Islam Makhachev After Ilia Topuria Confirmation Rumors

“Let him move up and earn his shot, and we’ll definitely fight,” said Islam Makhachev on a potential fight with Ilia Topuria. After defeating both Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, ‘El Matador’ knew he had to achieve something great. But the Dagestani champion stopped him in his tracks. Why should Islam put Topuria’s ‘champ champ’ aspirations ahead of his own? Did he not do that twice already, for Alexander Volkanovski? And to call Makhachev a coward for reportedly refusing the Topuria fight?! Not on Chael Sonnen‘s watch!

Ilia Topuria has indeed moved up the lightweight division but he has yet to prove his worth. There were talks of this fight happening during the International Fight Week, and then rumors followed that the Dagestani camp had declined the offer. When Daniel Cormier asked for his thoughts on the same, ‘The Bad Guy’ held nothing back. “My first sense is that’s fake news, and it’s a real insult to Islam,” said Sonnen on ESPN’s Good Guy/Bad Guy.

He further added, “I don’t believe that Islam’s scared to fight anybody. I think the evidence of that fact would be the fact that he switched opponents and took on ‘Money’ Moicano with no training camp, no preparation, just because it’s the right thing to do, and made sure that the golden rule was followed, which is the show must go forward.”

Islam Makhachev has several reasons for not wanting to wrestle against another featherweight, and the fanbase plays a role in that decision. The Dagestani was compelled to fight Alexander Volkanovski not once but twice. Despite defeating him fair and square, fans labeled him as a champion who only defends his belt against smaller opponents. For a warrior like Makhachev, this was unacceptable.

Sonnen also believes it would be unreasonable to ask Makhachev to cross the same sea once again. “I don’t believe it to be any more than a rumor. I also think it’s a little bit insulting to be the one to have to ask Islam, ‘Will you fight a ’45 pounder considering that would make the third ’45 pounder that Islam was forced to face. And the only thing Islam has ever told us is that he himself would like to change weights. So if he himself is not allowed to do the one thing that they’re asking him to do three times over, I’m light on that.” 

Another reason that halts Makhachev from clashing against Ilia Topuria is the fact that he has relinquished his title. Champion vs. champion fights have an allure of their own. Makhachev ‘s first fight against Volkanovski at UFC 284 was a masterclass of high-level MMA. Sure, his was the only belt on the line but Islam was fighting to prove he was the best around. In contrast, Topuria does not bring the FW belt or the #1 P4P status that Volkanovski did. In short, the Spaniard has nothing to offer the champion, except hype.

So, Sonnen is right in labeling it ‘insulting’ to insinuate cowardice behind Makhachev’s choice. The lightweight champion wants to challenge himself against bigger opponents at heavier weight classes. That is the hallmark of a guy not afraid to fight anyone. He even called out Dricus Du Plessis for a middleweight title fight!

A fight with ‘El Matador’ means nothing to him because he is going for a dual-champ status. And Makhachev has no shortage of legitimate contenders at 155 lbs even if he claims rematches do not interest him. As uncertainty remains within the lightweight division, Daniel Cormier has come forward to give the perfect timeline for a Topuria vs. Makhchev fight, if it comes to fruition.

Daniel Cormier believes he has the solution to Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria dilemma

Ilia Topuria is eyeing the lightweight pantheon the way Kratos gazed upon the Greek pantheon. However, before he can challenge Makhachev, he must first face the other gods of the division. Yet, according to Daniel Cormier, no fight within the UFC would presently surpass the magnitude of a clash between ‘El Matador’ and the Dagestani. While speaking to Chael Sonnen, the former dual weight champion stated, “There could be no bigger fight for Abu Dhabi than Islam Makhachev versus Ilia Topuria.”

He further added, “That to me makes sense at that time frame. Put them in Abu Dhabi, having Islam who’s the star, having Topuria who’s also a star—fighting in October when we’re generally there—would be blockbuster.” Will it be a blockbuster? Undoubtedly. It will be one of the highest-selling fights. But for Dana White to make this fight, he would have to convince the entirety of Team Khabib which is in itself a gigantic task.

The lightweight division is facing a dilemma right now. Why, you ask? Well, the UFC has denied Arman Tsarukyan an immediate title fight. Meanwhile, both Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliveira are 1-1 in their last two fights, and Dustin Poirier is nearing retirement. All of the top contenders appear to be at their last leg and with this Ilia Topuria is knocking at the division. Given that, what are your thoughts on the fate of the division? State your opinion in the comments below.