Ilia Topuria vs Islam Makhachev is arguably the biggest fight the UFC could make at the moment, but a UFC legend disagrees.
Following his knockout win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 earlier this year, Ilia Topuria once again showcased why he is the biggest current star in the sport.
After moving up to the lightweight division, fans were hopeful of a potential super fight between ‘El Matador’ and Islam Makhachev, especially as the two have been feuding for a while now.
And although that is widely regarded as the biggest MMA fight that could currently be made, UFC legend Chael Sonnen disagrees, as he names what he believes is a bigger fight in the sport.
Chael Sonnen reveals what fight is bigger than Topuria vs Makhachev
Even though Makhachev’s welterweight debut is just around the corner, he has previously hinted at potentially moving back down to 155lbs to take on ‘El Matador’.
Sonnen, though, has explained why a fight between Topuria and British contender Paddy Pimblett is bigger than a fight against the Russian.
“Islam vs Ilia is not this massive fight that people are trying to make believe it is, it could with a little bit of time, I’m just sharing for you, those guys are a little bit too close to the trees to see the forest,” Sonnen said on the recent episode of Good Guy/Bad Guy.
“Ilia Topuria vs Paddy ‘The Baddy’ does a bigger gate than Ilia Topuria vs Islam, right now. You put a belt around Islam and maybe we’re having a different conversation,” Sonnen continued.
Following Topuria’s win over Oliveira, Pimblett was called into the cage by Joe Rogan and he and the Spaniard had an impromptu face off, which angered UFC boss Dana White.
With ‘The Baddy’s’ growing popularity, a title fight against Topuria would undoubtedly be a huge fight in the sport, but a fight between Topuria and Makhachev seems to be the more desirable fight amongst fans.
Pimblett recently soared up the lightweight rankings
Following his UFC 314 win over Michael Chandler, Pimblett found himself ranked just inside the top 10 at rank nine.
And with talks continuing regarding a potential fight against Topuria, Pimblett recently found himself being pushed up the rankings, despite having not fought since April.
With that, fans believe he could be the next title challenger for ‘El Matador’, with the promotion pushing him up the division.