As much as most fans around the world are interested in watching a fight between Islam makhachev e Ilia Topuria, this does not seem to be the opinion of Chael Sonnen. The American gangster not only supported the Russian team's decision to discard the fight at this time, as he also characterized the idea as disrespectful to the current UFC lightweight champion (up to 70,3 kg).
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In the last edition of the program 'Good Guy/Bad Guy' last Monday (17), performing alongside Daniel Cormier On YouTube, Sonnen showed himself to be understanding of the Dagestan Clan's justification for giving another chance to a lower-weight champion.
“I don’t think it’s anything more than a rumor. I also find it a little insulting to have to ask Islam, ‘Would you fight a featherweight?’ considering this would be the third 145-pound fighter that Islam would be forced to face. And the only thing Islam has ever told us is that he himself would like to move up a weight class. So if he himself isn’t allowed to do the one thing they’re asking him to do three times, I doubt it. I don’t think it’s going to happen,” the American said.
Chael Sonnen defends Islam makhachev, Calls Reports of Him Turning Down Ilia Topuria Fight “Fake News” ❌
“My first sense is that it's fake news, and it's a real insult to Islam. I don't think Islam is scared to fight anyone.
... pic.twitter.com/C7XmjCYHJG— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) March 17, 2025
Cormier, former light heavyweight (up to 93 kg) and heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg) champion and Makhachev's training partner, agreed with Sonnen's argument, in addition to recalling the scenario in the MMA world when the Russian faced off against Alexander Volkanovsky.
“Fighting against Alexander Volkanovsky, who at the time was number one pound-for-pound — do you remember when their first fight happened? Whoever wins will be considered the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world, because Islam is (No.) two, Alex was one. Islam beats him, but it was close, and then we had this weird (moment). For a while, it was like they were both number one and Islam was like, 'Wait, give me what you said I was going to get,' and then the world was like, 'Why do you want that? You beat a 145-pound fighter,'" he said.
Islam makhachev overcame Alexander Volkanovsky No. UFC 294. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter/@UFC
Sonnen dismissed the hypothesis of fear on Makhachev's part
Islam makhachev finished Renato Moicano No. UFC 311 (Photo: Instagram)
Early on in his take on the matter, Sonnen made it clear that he doesn't believe Makhachev and his team are afraid to share the Octagon with Topuria. The former fighter even cited his last performance against Renato Moicano to strengthen your argument.
“My first impression is that this is fake news, and it is a real insult to Islam. I don’t believe that Islam is afraid to fight anyone. I think the evidence of that would be the fact that he switched opponents and took on ‘Money’ Moicano with no training camp, no preparation, just because it is the right thing to do, and made sure that the golden rule was followed, which is the show must go on,” he concluded.
Read More about: Chael Sonnen, Ilia Topuria, Islam makhachev
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