Ilia Topuria should move to a third weight division if he wants to get his hands on Islam Makhachev, according to a UFC legend.
With the former lightweight champion heading to welterweight rather than facing ‘El Matador’, the Spanish-Georgian now has a new challenge on his hands.
At UFC 317, Topuria will go to war with Charles Oliveira for the lightweight crown, inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
And should he win, an MMA icon suggests he should do everything in his power to make sure Makhachev finally fights him.
WOW: ‘Worst nightmare’… Islam Makhachev warned by UFC star who says he sees ‘holes in his game’
Chael Sonnen says Ilia Topuria should move to welterweight for Islam Makhachev fight
While Chael Sonnen has said Islam Makhachev has done everything to avoid Ilia Topuria, the former middleweight title challenger hasn’t given up hope that the pair may one day share the octagon.
‘The American Gangster’ is adamant that the former featherweight champion should give his rival no choice but to fight him.
In a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, the analyst said: “If Ilia Topuria is truly chasing down Islam Makhachev, if that is the great story — Topuria vs Islam — go chase him down.
“Strategically speaking, he should’ve gone from 145lbs to 170lbs, and he would’ve had him. You can’t tell him he can fight Islam for the world title and then tell him he can’t fight Islam for the world title — it’s the same thing.
“We’re arguing about something that’s never been done anyway, we’ve never had champ, champ, champ.
“If he can get through Charles Oliveira, that’s good enough to get him to Islam. If he’s good enough for Islam now, he’s good enough for Islam at 170lbs.
“That’s his argument; he needs to make it. I’m not pleading this case for him, I’m letting you know, the number one key is not having the punches and the kicks. The number one key is getting the opportunity.”
UFC lightweight insists size won’t matter if Ilia Topuria fights Islam Makhachev
Chael Sonnen’s comments indicate that he doesn’t believe Topuria is too small to compete with Makhachev, regardless of the weight class.
And he’s not the only expert with this opinion.
One mixed martial artist has seen footage of the power puncher in training that has convinced him that the underdog would stand a very good chance.
The UFC star claims Topuria is knocking out much bigger fighters inside the gym.