Ilia Topuria might have vacated his featherweight title in hopes of a shot at Islam Makhachev for lightweight gold but that move might not have been one in his interest. With Makhachev demanding he take a #1 contender fight first and a chorus of analysts joining him in support, Topuria’s two-division champion aspirations are slipping out of his hands at an alarming rate.
However, in what appears to be an already complicated situation, UFC veteran Chael Sonnen has dubbed the news of Islam denying Topuria a title shot “fake news”. Subsequently, he also believes nobody should even be asking Islam to fight Topuria right off the bat anyway.
Speaking to co-host Daniel Cormier on the Good Guy/ Bad Guy Show, Sonnen quickly dismissed the notion that Makhachev would ever back down from a fight.
It’s a little bit insulting to be the one to ask Islam if you would fight a 145-pounder, considering that this would make the 3rd 145-pounder that Islam would be forced to face.”, he said, confidently. Sonnen also explained that the only plan Islam has ever informed anyone of was his wanting to move weight classes at some point.
And since he hasn’t been able to change weights, Sonnen claims there is a lot of hypocrisy in asking him to entertain another fighter who has been a
“So, if he himself is not allowed to do the one thing they are asking him to do three times over… I am light on that. I don’t think it will happen.”, the former middleweight contender reasoned.
Chael Sonnen Defends Islam Makhachev, Calls Reports of Him Turning Down Ilia Topuria Fight “Fake News” ❌
“My first sense is that it’s fake news, and it’s a real insult to Islam. I don’t think Islam is scared to fight anybody. I believe it to be nothing more than a rumor.”
… pic.twitter.com/C7XmjCYHJG— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) March 17, 2025
It should be noted that Islam’s first two title defenses were at UFC 284 and UFC 294 in 2023 and they were both against former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanosvki, who was venturing up the weight class to secure a double champ status.
Unfortunately for him, both these attempts were unsuccessful and Islam was branded a weight bully by a section of the audience. Needless to say, the lightweight champ had then asserted that he was happy to fight whoever the UFC wanted but he would rather not take on another 145-pounder.
Cormier backs Islam for not wanting to fight another featherweight
According to ‘DC’, there is no benefit for Islam to fight Topuria at the moment. The Spaniard is untested at lightweight. Despite his impressive knockouts of Max Holloway and Volkanovski before him, the fact remains- Topuria has only defended his featherweight title once.
Meanwhile, Islam is sitting on four title defenses at 155 lbs. And naturally, he only wants to fight established 155ers at this point. Cormier believes taking on another featherweight at this stage would only harm his legacy.
“I don’t know that Islam should fight him first. For Makhachev, he goes and beats Ilia Topuria, right? People will say, he beat Volk, he beat Topuria, Charles Oliveira, Renato Moicano. Seems pretty good. That’s 5 title fight wins”, he said.
However, looking at the other side of the argument, DC adds that it doesn’t matter what happens, the fact that Topuria was champion in a lower weight class will be used to point and tarnish Islam’s greatness.
“Anytime you have a dominant champ, you look for reasons to discredit them.”, Cormier explained.
—in today’s video, I am finally back home after the ultimate fighter and we get into the lightweight division. Everyone has something to say and it’s very unclear as to who the Champion will stand across the octagon from next. Hear my thoughts on this and so much more in my… pic.twitter.com/WKk7qCpXtn
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) March 14, 2025
What do you think? Should Islam fight Topuria and end this debate once and for all? Or should Ilia put on the big boy pants, get a #1 contender fight, and not skip the line?
