“Just one thing, I don’t know when it’s gonna happen, but I told you, I’m not gonna leave this sport without a second belt.” Islam Makhachev made it loud and clear at the UFC 311 post-fight press conference. After making a cake walk of Renato Moicano at UFC 311, the 155 lbs kingpin was tempted with the thought that his other shoulder deserved another gold strap, believing he was done conquering the lightweights. However, Ilia Topuria’s grand entrance has put a question mark on his dreams for now, and Chael Sonnen seems to agree.
Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev have reportedly kicked off their training camps. Could it be to face each other? That’s the question everyone’s impatiently waiting to have answered. Both men chasing a second belt makes sense, considering what they’ve already achieved in their respective divisions. But, this super fight has always been in question, because the Dagestani camp always had this question: Why should Makhachev give another 145er a chance to claim his belt after defeating Alexander Volkanovski twice? Naturally, this has long-cancelled Topuria’s immediate chance to fight for double-champ glory.
Over to Makhachev’s situation of ascending into the upper division, Belal Muhammad has already made it very clear that he’s not interested in fighting his teammate. That leaves Jack Della Maddalena as a potential opponent, which is only going to be possible if he wins the welterweight title at UFC 315. The scenario is similar to a Rubik’s cube, and if you ask Chael Sonnen, he’s not willing to entertain this puzzle. ‘The Bad Guy’ believes that the 155 lbs champion, aiming straight for the 170 lbs belt without fighting a viable competition, is a similar situation to what they are criticizing Ilia Topuria for.
Chael Sonnen, in an Instagram clip said, “We’ve got a situation now with Islam. Belal said, ‘I will not fight Islam. That is not the attitude of our number 1 contenders. If you’re team Islam and you’re sitting around and waiting cause you believe you’re going to 170 lbs and get a title shot against Jack Della Maddalena. Just to let you know, first off, nobody’s asking to see that fight and at the same time, if you’re refusing Ilia Topuria as he hasn’t done anything in the weight class and I lose to him, it’s too big of a risk. We’ll take that same argument and sticking up your a— at 170, where you haven’t done anything.”
He added: “And I don’t know if you’ve ever met more of a pro-Islam guy! I’m completely for Islam! But there’s times in this sport where guys get out over there skis. I get the idea of the relationship with Belal and Islam. I actually don’t wanna come in front of that, I’m not clamoring to see that fight. Neither are you guys. Whatever opportunities are offered to Ilia, we can assume is the same way that Islam would be treated at 170. But Ilia did have one tremendous difference, which is the courage to vacate, not to weigh the fence. He fought the absolute at 145 lbs, and now he’s trying his best to fight the absolute best at 155 lbs.”
And this is not the only blow dealt by Sonnen about the tricky situation. Regardless, Islam Makhachev’s desire to move up and fight for the welterweight title puts him in a tricky spot. His shot at 170 lbs hinges entirely on whether Belal wins and chooses to vacate or move on. But with the welterweight champion likely to keep the throne and stay in the division, his chances are looking slim. The two are teammates, and neither seems willing to fight the other. This dynamic alone creates a major is a major roadblock. However, Arman Tsarukyan seems to have a perfectly straightforward solution for this problem.
Arman Tsarukyan wants to fight Ilia Topuria for the vacant title
Arman Tsarukyan has finally started taking his shots. Charles Oliveira has already stated multiple times that only a championship fight interests him, and also, Paddy Pimblett’s name has been mentioned a couple of times when it comes to the lightweight title picture, but ‘Ahalkalakets’ was going a little unnoticed. Since the landscape of the lightweight and welterweight divisions is getting shaken up a little bit, Tsarukyan presented a solution.
According to Backyardviolence, the Georgian told monk3channel, “If Belal wins, Makhachev will remain lightweight and fight Topuria. If Belal loses, Makhachev will fight Maddalena, and I will fight for the vacant title.” Arman Tsarukyan fighting Ilia Topuria for the vacant lightweight title would definitely grab attention. However, his last-minute pullout from UFC 311 reportedly left the head honcho a bit livid. Because of that, he might have to climb one or two more steps before getting close to the gold.
The UFC’s most eminent division is currently shrouded in uncertainty. Who’s fighting who is still a mystery, one we’re all hoping gets clearer as the final hours of International Fight Week draw near. But as we approach that amazing week of pure violence, how do you see this whole lightweight situation playing out? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
The post “If You’re Using Ilia Topuria…” – Chael Sonnen Gives Islam Makhachev a Reality Check on Ducking Ilia Topuria Fight to Move Up to Welterweight appeared first on EssentiallySports.