After four successful title defenses, Islam Makhachev is gearing up to make history in another weight class.
The former lightweight champion recently announced he will move up to welterweight, where he will face new champion Jack Maddalena—who recently defeated Makhachev’s teammate Belal Muhammad to claim the title.
Although many are thrilled to see this matchup, some are disappointed there won’t be a superfight between Makhachev and Ilia Topuria, who recently vacated his title to move up to lightweight and face Makhachev.
The two champs have been at loggerheads, with Makhachev saying Topuria isn’t good enough to face him and Topuria calling him a coward. It seems Topuria isn’t the only one who shares these misgivings, as Chael Sonnen also called out Makhachev for moving to welterweight before a fight with Topuria.
In a new video posted on his YouTube channel, Sonnen said he feels Makhachev had tricks up his sleeve to sidestep a matchup with Topuria.
“Islam did everything you could do to avoid that fight,” Sonnen said on his YouTube channel. “That’s just the truth, guys. That’s just what happened. I know Islam, I like Islam a lot, (but) it’s still what happened. Islam did everything you could conceivably do to not fight Ilia, including leave the division, including leave the championship.
“‘Hey, if you don’t fight this guy, we’re going to strip you of your championship.’ ‘Strip me of my championship.’ There is nothing in our industry that is a stronger way to get away from somebody than to leave the division and even leave the championship behind. You can’t paint the credit on Islam for moving up to 170 pounds, in a handpicked match.”
While Makhachev is set to face Jack Maddalena, Topuria will meet Charles Oliveira for the vacant title at UFC 317 on June 28.
