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 determination 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 reasonably than sticking round at light-weight to face Ilia Topuria.

“You’re so fascinated with getting away from this man that you simply not solely go away your belt, you permit your division, and the entire thing is just contingent that you simply 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 probably 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 actually all about.

“Chasing hype and cash is just not the identical as chasing greatness in sport,” Makhachev wrote on Twitter. “However common athlete, who constructed his strategy 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 turn out 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 companion Belal Muhammad was holding the title.

After Muhammad misplaced the belt to Della Maddalena at UFC 315, Makhachev instantly expressed his curiosity in shifting 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 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 one in all his personal that made a bit much less sense.