UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev, after five consecutive title defenses, is reportedly preparing to make history by challenging for a second belt in the welterweight division.
Following the events of UFC 315, reports emerged indicating Makhachev`s intention to move up to 170 lbs and face the newly crowned welterweight champion, Jack Della Maddalena.
However, this pursuit of a second title would necessitate Makhachev vacating his lightweight championship, a move similar to that made by his rival, Ilia Topuria, who moved up from featherweight in pursuit of the lightweight belt.
While some observers praise Makhachev`s ambition in testing himself at welterweight, others are critical, specifically questioning his decision not to face Topuria in what many predicted would be one of the most significant fights in UFC history, potentially rivaling Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov in magnitude.
Chael Sonnen labels Islam Makhachev’s welterweight pursuit ‘a sign of cowardice’
Makhachev has previously hinted at a potential move to welterweight, notably stating he wouldn`t challenge for the belt if his friend Belal Muhammad held the title.
This condition struck three-time UFC title challenger and prominent analyst Chael Sonnen as telling. Speaking on the “Good Guy / Bad Guy” show, Sonnen offered a strong take on Makhachev’s decision:
“Islam went up, not out of courage,” Sonnen asserted.
“Islam did not go up out of adding hardware to put on his mantle. He went up with one condition, which is I don’t have to fight Belal Muhammad. He can sit around and say, ‘I could beat Belal. I wouldn’t go up and because I can beat Belal…”
“The bottom line is you entered a division openly that you said you wouldn’t face one of the top guys. That’s not a sign of courage. That’s a sign of cowardice. I don’t love the idea.”
Chael Sonnen suggests Islam Makhachev avoided Ilia Topuria
Meanwhile, Ilia Topuria had been openly campaigning for a lightweight title shot against Makhachev.
Topuria is now slated to fight Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317 on June 28th. Shortly after their fight was announced, Topuria and Makhachev exchanged jabs on social media, with Topuria directly labeling Makhachev a `coward` for not agreeing to face him.
Sonnen echoed this sentiment, highlighting Topuria`s willingness to pursue the champion.
“You have an undefeated number one ranked world champion who’s chasing you down,” Sonnen said of Makhachev.
“[Topuria] is willing to leave his division behind. He’s willing to walk away from his belt to chase you down.”
“You are so interested in getting away from this guy that you not only leave your belt, you leave your division, and the whole thing is only contingent that you don’t have to fight.”
“This is not the way champions conduct themselves,” Sonnen concluded, implying Makhachev`s move was more about avoidance than challenging Topuria or a non-friend at welterweight.
Rupert Hartwell