Islam Makhachev has been told that he was completely wrong with his opinion about the climb of Ilia Topuria to become pound-for-pound king.
A large part of this year spoke about a potential superfight between Topuria and Makhachev. That has been placed on the Backbuari for the time being after both high -profile division switches have made.
While De Dagestani continues to prepare to challenge Jack della Maddalena for the Welterweight title and two-weight Glorie, June Topuria Charles Oliveira Knock-Out Knock-Out on UFC 317 to follow its featherweight with a fast crown at 155 pounds.
While the couple remains on individual gratings for the time being, it has not prevented their growing feud is a prominent subject. And the last comments ensured that Makhachev caused a commotion after his status because the top P4P hunter was removed.
Chael Sonnen explains why the theory of Islam Makhachev about Ilia Topuria is wrong
During a recent episode of his Good Guy/Bad Guy show next to Daniel Cormier on the YouTube channel of ESPN MMA, Chael Sonnen responded to Makhachev's latest comments about Topuria. The former lightweight champion claimed that the rise of the Spaniard to the top position in the Pound-for-Pound Order was purely for promotional reasons.
'The American Gangster' explained why the Dagestani was mistaken and outlined that if the UFC actually influenced who had the first place in the P4P rankings because of marketing, Makhachev would actually still hold the crown.
“I don't believe that Islam was correct in his assessment that this is for marketing,” said Sonnen. “If it were for marketing, they would have kept it around him!
“Ilia has a world championship that they can fight for. Not Islam!
“I think the maths of Islam was a bit back there,” Sonnen continued. “But if that is something he needed to be motivated and bring us to that fight, I am before.”
Islam Makhachev told P4P Crown back from Ilia Topuria
In the eyes of another UFC legend, Makhachev should immediately be back on the pound-for-pound throne if he adds the title of Welterweight to his collection later this year.
Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev agreed 90 percent for Madison Square Garden in November, according to the Dagestani. And if he reaches the latter that two-division glory, a second title is not the only reward that Cormier thinks Makhachev would owe a victory over the Australian champion.
“He (Topuria) is today the number one pound-for-pound hunter,” said Cormier on his 3 rounds show with Din Thomas on YouTube. “But if Islam can beat Jack della Maddalena, it turns again and Islam returns to number one.
“Only because of this will (his) fight style be proven that it is going to the next weight class. Islam will have done everything that Topuria has done with a heavier weight. Four title defenses on 155 (pound), and then the new champion at Welterweight.
“So yes, I agree, he (Topuria) is today number one of pound-for-pound,” Cormier continued. “But I think the moment that Islam can win, he will go back to pound-for-pound number one.”