Islam Makhachev has savagely responded to Chael Sonnen calling him a coward.
There’s been mixed reactions to the UFC Lightweight Champion Makhachev moving up to welterweight where he will meet newly-crowned champion Jack Della Maddalena.
Makhachev left his title behind at 155lbs for another one at 170lbs in a pursuit of greatness. However, not everybody sees it that way.
Three-time UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen recently said Makhachev’s move up to welterweight wasn’t a sign of courage but instead a ‘sign of cowardice’ for not fighting former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria.
Islam Makhachev wouldn’t take kindly to Sonnen’s latest comments.
Islam Makhachev responds to ‘average athlete’ Chael Sonnen
Responding to arguably the best trash talker in the sport, Makhachev put Sonnen on blast for insisting he was a coward for chasing a second belt.
“Chasing hype and money is not the same as chasing greatness in sport,” Makhachev wrote on ‘X’.
“But average athlete, who built his way to the top with cheap trash talk, won’t understand that.
“So please [sit] and watch how others doing it, uncle Chael. #doublechamp.”
The saga between Sonnen and Makhachev didn’t stop there.
Chael Sonnen takes shot at Islam Makhachev’s star power
It wasn’t long before Sonnen read Makhachev calling him a ‘average athlete’ with ‘cheap trash talk’.
Once a pay-per-view star for the UFC standing across the cage from the likes of Jon Jones and Anderson Silva (twice), the retired fighter says Makhachev could learn a thing or two from him on how to promote a fight.
“When you’re tired of rolling around in front of bored crowds and drawing fewer viewers than a Hog-Hollerin’ contest, get in touch,” Sonnen replied to Makhachev on ‘X’.
“You won’t be the first guy from your gym who begged me for material…
“In fact It wouldn’t be the first time YOUR guy [Khabib Nurmagomedov] and the OTHER [Irish] guy [Conor McGregor] BOTH Used material they begged me to give ’em to become interesting…
“Check your magazine before you try to fire, SonnyBoy It’s EMPTY You believed a rumor.
“So don’t be shy and don’t pick fake fights w/me to get my attention Your HERO is my ACOLYTE So is his NEMESIS SO are YOU,” Sonnen concluded his rant.