Is Islam Makhachev`s decision to move up to welterweight a bold step or a move driven by avoidance?
Following a dominant run with five consecutive title defenses, the UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev is reportedly setting his sights on making history in the division above. In the wake of UFC 315, reports emerged that Makhachev intends to transition to the welterweight ranks to challenge the new champion, Jack Della Maddalena, in pursuit of a second title.
This move would necessitate Makhachev vacating his lightweight belt, a path similar to the one Ilia Topuria took when he moved up from featherweight with aspirations of challenging the lightweight king.
While some within the MMA community applaud Makhachev for embracing the challenge at 170 lbs, others are critical, viewing it as an evasion of a potential clash with Ilia Topuria. A super-fight between Makhachev and Topuria is widely considered one of the biggest matchups possible in the UFC today, potentially rivaling the magnitude of Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Chael Sonnen Brands Islam Makhachev’s UFC Move as ‘Cowardice’
Makhachev has previously expressed interest in moving to welterweight but stated he wouldn`t do so if his friend Belal Muhammad held the title. This condition, according to three-time UFC title challenger and respected analyst Chael Sonnen, reveals the true nature of Makhachev`s decision.
“Islam went up, not out of courage,” Sonnen stated on his show Good Guy / Bad Guy.
“Islam did not go up out of adding hardware to put on his mantle. He went up with one condition, which is I don’t have to fight Belal Muhammad. He can sit around and say, ‘I could beat Belal. I wouldn’t go up and because I can beat Belal…’ The bottom line is you entered a division openly that you said you wouldn’t face one of the top guys. That’s not a sign of courage. That’s a sign of cowardice. I don’t love the idea.”
Sonnen Suggests Makhachev is Running From Ilia Topuria
Meanwhile, Ilia Topuria has actively campaigned for a lightweight title shot against Makhachev. While that fight hasn`t materialized, Topuria is now scheduled to face Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317 on June 28th. Following the announcement of this fight, Topuria and Makhachev exchanged jabs online, with the Spaniard openly calling Makhachev a ‘coward’ for not agreeing to face him.
“You have an undefeated number one ranked world champion who’s chasing you down,” Sonnen remarked about Makhachev facing Topuria.
Sonnen continued, explaining Topuria`s dedication to making the fight happen: “[Topuria] is willing to leave his division behind. He’s willing to walk away from his belt to chase you down. You are so interested in getting away from this guy that you not only leave your belt, you leave your division, and the whole thing is only contingent that you don’t have to fight.”
According to Sonnen, this kind of strategic avoidance doesn`t align with the expected behavior of champions. “This is not the way champions conduct themselves,” he concluded.
Gareth Tenby