Islam Makhachev Makes a Laughing Stock Out of Chael Sonnen for Calling Welterweight Move a ‘Sign of Cowardice’

Chael Sonnen seemingly triggered the wrath of Islam Makhachev after claiming that he showed a “sign of cowardice” and avoided Ilia Topuria to fight Jack Della Maddalena. He wasn’t impressed with the fact that the lightweight champion and not facing ‘El Matador’, who’s a top contender. Makhachev didn’t seem too pleased to be labeled a coward, and he has finally broken his silence and sounded off on Sonnen and his MMA career.

The soon-to-be former lightweight champion claims that big-money fights aren’t as appealing to him as big-time legacy fights are. Given that his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, never had the opportunity to go for a second belt after his father’s passing, he wants to go for it. As such, Islam Makhachev deemed Chael Sonnen’s criticism invalid and advised the legend to pipe down a bit.

“Chasing hype and money is not the same as chasing greatness in sport. But average athlete, who built his way to the top with cheap trash talk, won’t understand that. So please seat and watch how others doing it, uncle Chael,” Islam Makhachev tweeted on social media.

Chasing hype and money is not the same as chasing greatness in sport. But average athlete, who built his way to the top with cheap trash talk, won’t understand that. So please seat and watch how others doing it, uncle Chael. #doublechamp

— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) May 22, 2025

Well, Islam Makhachev already has support from a veteran in Stephen Thompson, who also criticized Chael Sonnen’s statements, calling him a “Russian/Dagestan wrestling hater.” Now, it remains to be seen how the veteran reacts to Makhachev in the coming days. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

(This is a developing story)

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