Chael Sonnen Claims UFC Champ Islam Makhachev Doesn’t Want to Be A Lightweight Anymore 

Chael Sonnen Claims UFC Champ Islam Makhachev Doesn’t Want to Be A Lightweight Anymore 

Islam Makhachev’s future in the UFC has become one of the hottest topics in MMA. With dominant performances at lightweight, including his most recent victory over Renato Moicano at UFC 311.

The Dagestani champion appears to have run through nearly all of his competition. Now, as he contemplates his next move, UFC veteran Chael Sonnen believes Makhachev is looking for an exit from the 155-pound division.

There has been a lot of noise regarding featherweight champion Ilia Topuria moving up in weight to fight Islam but the Dagestani champion doesn’t seem too keen on fighting smaller guys anymore.

This leaves him with one option- move to 170 lbs and make a case for the welterweight title.

Or by some miracle, someone in the 155 lbs starts to step up and drop some bodies to get Islam’s attention.

Sonnen suggested as much on his YouTube channel while contemplating the fate of the 155 lbs division.

“Islam Makhachev is in a tough spot, the only thing he doesn’t want to be is a 155-pounder… Islam does not like to do rematches… Islam would like some new blood,” he said.  

The only high-profile candidate who could do that and is also currently in the top 15 is Paddy Pimblett. Everyone from Charles Oliveira at #2 rank to Moicano at #10, has had a fair few losses, some of them to Islam himself. So, those fights are out of the question.   

This leaves him with a few choices. Arman Tsarukyan, who was supposed to fight him at UFC 311, will need to win a title contention fight again and challenge Islam. The second option is Justin Gaethje finds it in himself to go on another generational run, starting with a win over Dan Hooker at UFC 313 next month.