Islam Makhachev trashes ‘average athlete’ Chael Sonnen after claiming he was ducking Ilia Topuria; Sonnen responds

Islam Makhachev guarantees he’s constructed completely different than Chael Sonnen and that’s why the previous UFC title challenger can’t perceive his resolution to chase greatness by going after a second championship in a brand new weight class.

On Thursday, Makhachev fired again at Sonnen after the retired fighter and present UFC analyst claimed is was a “signal of cowardice” that the Russian was going after welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena fairly than sticking round at light-weight to face Ilia Topuria.

“You might be so involved in getting away from this man that you just not solely depart your belt, you permit your division, and the entire thing is simply contingent that you just don’t need to battle [Ilia Topuria],” Sonnen said. “Not for nothing, this isn’t the best way champion’s conduct themselves.”

Makhachev, who already set the file for essentially the most title defenses in UFC light-weight historical past with 4 in a row, fired again at Sonnen whereas reminding him what championship mindset is admittedly all about.

“Chasing hype and cash isn’t the identical as chasing greatness in sport,” Makhachev wrote on Twitter. “However common athlete, who constructed his approach to the highest with low cost trash speak, gained’t perceive that. So please [sit] and watch how others doing it, uncle Chael.”

Makhachev has lengthy acknowledged that he needed to grow to be a two-division UFC champion however he resisted making the transfer to welterweight beforehand as a result of his pal and frequent coaching associate Belal Muhammad was holding the title.

After Muhammad misplaced the belt to Della Maddalena at UFC 315, Makhachev instantly expressed his curiosity in transferring as much as 170 kilos to problem for that second title.

Whereas he in the end needed to relinquish his light-weight belt to go there, Makhachev is scheduled to face Della Maddalena later this 12 months with hopes that he can be a part of a really unique membership of UFC fighters who’ve held titles in two completely different divisions.

As for Topuria, he’s nonetheless getting an opportunity to battle for light-weight gold when he faces Charles Oliveira in the principle occasion at UFC 317 in June.

Following Makhachev’s submit on Twitter, Sonnen additionally responded with considered one of his personal that made a bit much less sense.