Morning Report | Chael Sonnen believes Islam Makhachev ‘has to let go’ of thoughts of lightweight return

Islam Makhachev can be a part of the rarefied air of UFC fighters to grow to be two-division champions if he defeats welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena. And Chael Sonnen hopes Makhachev stays in his new weight class.

Few fighters have been permitted to hold two UFC belts directly, with Daniel Cormier and Amanda Nunes being among the many uncommon exceptions. And solely Nunes was allowed to maneuver between divisions and defend her featherweight and bantamweight titles (Cormier was nonetheless mild heavyweight champion when he gained the heavyweight belt, however didn’t defend the 205-pound title after changing into heavyweight champion).

By all indications, Makhachev had no real interest in vacating the light-weight title earlier than shifting as much as struggle Della Maddalena on a date nonetheless to be decided. That’s an issue for Sonnen, who thinks Makhachev must overlook about ever returning to 155 kilos and focus solely on the 170-pound title.

“Islam is constant to talk to the concept he by no means wished to be stripped at 155,” Sonnen stated on his YouTube channel. “He wished to have the ability to do each. That if he wished 170, he wasn’t then going to relinquish 155. He was going to defend. This was his concept was to trip, we’ve solely seen that occur one time, that was with Amanda Nunes. That situation was very totally different.

“However I simply share for you Islam’s nonetheless clinging to that. He’s nonetheless pushing that narrative. ‘I’m the man. I by no means misplaced. That’s my division. That’s my belt. I’ve bought no drawback with Ilia. Ilia must do one factor nicely at 155 after which I’ll see him. And it may be something.’ Islam’s story has by no means modified, however his circumstance has and I would like him to embrace that as a result of Jack is a tough struggle. Jack’s a extremely onerous struggle and when you get by way of Jack, it solely will get tougher. And if Islam does have this concept of ‘I can return to ‘55, I’m secure at ‘55, I used to be dominant at ‘55,’ if he doesn’t let his physique develop, if he doesn’t benefit from the fruits of his labor, get pleasure from the truth that he can have extra energy when he’s coaching. If he doesn’t get pleasure from that as a result of he’s residing the life-style and and maintaining his eye on being inside placing distance to get again to 155, he’s going to place himself inadvertently in the identical spot that Volkanovski was in.”

Sonnen brings up Alexander Volkanovski—who famously introduced his featherweight title with him as he tried to take Makhachev’s light-weight belt—for instance of how trying to compete in two divisions concurrently could have harm his profession. Volkanovski misplaced a pair of bouts to Makhachev after which in his subsequent title protection at 145 kilos, he was knocked out by Ilia Topuria.

Makhachev is at the moment the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter on this planet, so he has nearly as good an opportunity as any fighter to remain atop two weight lessons, however Sonnen warns Makhachev that even the slightest slip-up might price him.

“And once you’re taking part in a recreation of inches, this solely makes this a lot distinction, however that’s the sport we’re taking part in,” Sonnen stated. “We’re taking part in a recreation that’s this shut, so it’s simply my thought, however it’s additionally just a little little bit of my concern.

“All that has to occur mentally is Islam has to let go, that’s it. To discover a new relationship, to achieve success in that relationship, all you must do along with your previous, you’ve simply bought to let it go and now you’re accessible. Now you’re accessible to seek out this different nice relationship and I believe Islam can have that at 170 kilos, however he’s bought to commit, mentally he’s bought to commit himself to the duty absolutely, and that job is at 170.”

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What does Islam Makhachev do if he beats Jack Della Maddalena? He’s not going to simply cling round at 170 and notch a number of title defenses, is he? Does he marketing campaign for a right away shot on the middleweight belt?

Could be good if this struggle was truly booked so we might understand how lengthy now we have to attend to get some solutions.

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