What occurs if Islam Makhachev loses? That’s the query Chael Sonnen is questioning about.
Earlier this yr, Makhachev vacated his light-weight title and introduced his intention to maneuver to 170 kilos and problem newly topped champion Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight belt. Whereas the bout has but to be made official, rumors have been circling that the UFC is planning the matchup for its annual Madison Sq. Backyard card in November, fueled partially by each Makhachev and his coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov, saying as a lot.
And with the opportunity of the superfight now recent within the minds of MMA followers, UFC Corridor of Famer Chael Sonnen did some ruminating on the matchup.
“It’s an excellent match,” Sonnen mentioned on his YouTube channel. “It’s lots nearer match than you assume it’s. It’s additionally a pivotal match, the place two completely different divisions, the place two completely different athletes, the place two completely different worlds go from right here. What an extremely troublesome place to place Islam in if he loses. Now you’re going to have a alternative, are you going to run again to 155? Which, by the best way, isn’t the best way you left it. There’s a brand new king. Or do you begin re-climbing the ladder at 170?
“It’s an attention-grabbing query. Not one which I imagine Staff Islam is contemplating. I imagine they’re anticipating to win.”
Sonnen believes that might be a mistake. Sure, Makhachev is the highest pound-for-pound fighter on the planet proper now, however Della Maddalena is not any slouch. Undefeated in his previous 12 fights, “JDM” soundly beat Makhachev’s buddy and occasional coaching companion Belal Muhammad to say the title, and he’s the naturally greater man.
“The fact is Jack is one hell of a tough battle,” Sonnen mentioned. “His type and his ability – if Jack weighed 170 and Islam weighed 155, Jack may beat him. In the event that they each weigh 170, it can make it more durable on Jack. … In the event that they have been the identical and Jack simply had that small benefit, it might be sufficient. Jack is true there with Islam.”
After all, if this all backfires and Makhachev loses, Sonnen says there’s a silver lining.
Heading into 2025, followers have been clamoring for a attainable champ vs. champ matchup between Makhachev and Ilia Topuria, just for each males to maneuver up weight lessons. Topuria stored the dream alive by profitable the light-weight title this summer time, and whereas it’s removed from a assure, Sonnen says the one approach followers could get the battle they need is for Della Maddalena to attain the upset.
“The one approach you’re going to get Islam and Ilia is that if Jack wins,” Sonnen mentioned. “Now, that doesn’t assure Islam-Ilia, and it actually doesn’t assist to make that battle extra attention-grabbing, but it surely’s the one approach you’ll actually have a probability of getting Islam to weigh 155 kilos once more.”
