Islam
Makhachev didn’t hold back while responding to Chael
Sonnen’s criticism.

Makhachev (27-1) recently announced a move to welterweight to
challenge newly-crowned champ Jack
Della Maddalena for the title. However, unlike many expected,
Makhachev had to vacate his
Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight strap, which will
now be up for grabs between Ilia
Topuria and Charles
Oliveira at UFC 317
on June 28.

Topuria also vacated his featherweight belt, chasing a lightweight
title fight against Makhachev. However, Makhachev didn’t want to
fight the Georgian Spaniard until he had proven himself at 155
pounds. Sonnen recently had some strong criticism for Makhachev’s
move to 170. According to the Oregonian, Makhachev’s move is an act
of “cowardice” when a contender like Topuria is trying his best to
chase him.

Responding to Sonnen, Makhachev said that his well-known trash talk
was his only claim to fame. The Dagestani champ also reminded
Sonnen of his unfulfilled aspirations.

“Chasing hype and money is not the same as chasing greatness in
sport,” Makhachev said on social media. “But average athlete, who
built his way to the top with cheap trash talk, won’t understand
that. So please seat and watch how others doing it, uncle Chael.
#doublechamp”

Sonnen, a two-time winner of the Jim Rome “Smack-Off,”
responded in kind.

“There are many paths to greatness son, travel yours as I have
travelled mine. And I will be there to help you as you stumble. As
I always have. Signed uncle Chael, no no no, signed your guardian
angel, no no no, signed your elder brother, you know what, put ‘em
all, Uncle Chael, your guardian angel, your elder brother. And in
the future, if I want your opinion, I will beat it out of you. No
no no, leave that part out, let me extend an olive branch.”

Riding a 15-fight winning streak, Makhachev defended his
lightweight title four times before vacating. While turning down
the Topuria matchup, Makhachev reasoned that two of his successful
title defenses against Alexander
Volkanovski have often been undermined as wins over a
featherweight.

IMAK ADMIN

By IMAK ADMIN

Internationaler Kampfkunst und Kampfsport Kleinanzeiger