Ilia Topuria is chasing down Islam Makhachev, with the hopes of defeating the Russian to claim the UFC lightweight title.
However, not everyone believes the Spanish-Georgian ought to go straight into a title fight in his new division.
Instead, a UFC legend is insistent that he must first prove that he has the minerals to compete at 155 pounds.
With that in mind, he’s suggested two huge names that the 28-year-old should have to take on.
WOW: UFC lightweight insists size won’t matter when Ilia Topuria fights Islam Makhachev
Chael Sonnen says Ilia Topuria must fight Charles Oliveria or Arman Tsarukyan to earn Islam Makhachev shot
While many love the idea of watching Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev trade blows in a showdown between two of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, Chael Sonnen wants ‘El Matador’ to go in a different direction.
In a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, ‘The American Gangster’ pitched two very interesting match-ups.
He exclaimed: “Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan are in a battle, and the battle is for Ilia. Charles is not likely to go right into a title fight against Islam. The only reason I say that is that Islam wants some fresh blood.
“Ilia is not going to get a title shot even though he would fit the request of being fresh blood.
“You’ve got Ramadan, Ilia is vacating, and no mention of Ilia. It would look as though Ilia is going to have to do a fight first.
“Ilia vs Islam is not a massive fight. However, Ilia vs Islam, if Ilia defeats Charles first, is a completely other conversation.
“It can’t go right now; you gotta have Ilia prove that he can do it, and that either takes you through Tsarukyan or it takes you through Charles.”
Previously, Sonnen has branded Topuria’s desire to fight Makhachev, ‘unusual’, but now, it appears he’s on board, just so long as the power puncher can overcome the massive challenge he’s set.
Khabib Nurmagomedov told he’s wrong about Ilia Topuria by UFC Hall of Famer
In his esteemed career, Khabib Nurmagomedov compiled a perfect 29-0 record, exhibiting fearsome grappling skills and an immense fight IQ.
With that in mind, he has a fantastic analytical brain, which he’s used to conclude that Topuria would suffer the same fate as Alexander Volkanovski, if he fought Makhachev.
However, there are other former champions that think it’s a completely different situation.
Now, a UFC Hall of Famer has told Nurmagomedov that he’s wrong.