In a scathing post on X, Ilia Topuria recently wrote, “The difference between you and me is that I am a man and you are a coward. I speak and fight, you talk and hide.” His target? Islam Makhachev. The reason behind the post? The Dagestani kingpin vacating his lightweight crown and chasing another belt at welterweight has left the MMA sphere stunned.

But it wasn’t just ‘El Matador’ who lit the fuse. UFC veteran Chael Sonnen, in his trademark manner, added his own voice to the salvo being directed at Makhachev. In a recent episode of the ‘Good Guy/Bad Guy’ show, he shared, “The bottom line is you entered a division openly that you said you wouldn’t face one of the top guys.” Harsh? Maybe. But his co-host and Makhachev’s long-time friend Daniel Cormier wasn’t about to let accusations like that slide easily, and he has now fired back in defense of the Dagestani warrior!

Daniel Cormier comes to Islam Makhachev’s aid after Sonnen’s “cowardice” jab

Daniel Cormier took to his YouTube channel to lay out his response to the potshots being thrown at Islam Makhachev from voices like Chael Sonnen. A clip of the video was also shared on Instagram by Cormier on his official account. Calm but firm, the former ‘champ-champ’ began by stating, “So Chael and I were talking the other day. I don’t know if he’s trying to troll me, round me up, or if he truly believes what he’s saying.” The video then cuts to the infamous comment by Sonnen where he states, “That’s not a sign of courage. That’s a sign of cowardice. I don’t love the idea.” about Makhachev’s move up to 170 lbs. But Cormier wasn’t having it.

DC explained, “This isn’t something new that Makhachev was talking about.”  The evidence? A clip of the Dagestani phenom indicating that he will not be leaving the sport without having conquered another weight division that was stitched in the middle of Cormier’s response. So why call him a coward now?

But Cormier then dug even deeper into the backlash surrounding Islam Makhachev: “And how about the fact that people constantly call Islam, they called me, or anyone that cuts weight, weight bully? What about now that he’s going up and he’s gonna fight in a weight class that most of you say is more suited for his size?”

The hypocrisy was clear to him. Critics who once claimed Makhachev had an unfair size advantage at lightweight were now dragging him for moving up. And it’s not like he picked an easy fight.  Cormier reminded fans that Jack Della Maddalena’s title-winning performance against Belal Muhammad is a testament to his toughness and his elite skills when compared to “anyone in the UFC”.

For Cormier, this move wasn’t cowardly, it was courageous. It was Islam Makhachev stepping outside expectations and chasing something bigger. As he confessed, “This is the first time that Islam has honestly put his wishes above what everybody else wants.” That last part hit home. Cormier reminded fans that Makhachev has always delivered when called upon. Just look back at UFC 311.

When Arman Tsarukyan withdrew from the event just a day prior, the Dagestani champion didn’t hesitate to take on Renato Moicano as a replacement. So, why the outrage over him chasing his ambitions now, after he has already cemented his legacy at lightweight after 4 consecutive title defenses?

And guess what? Daniel Cormier wasn’t the only one shaking his head at Chael Sonnen’s claims. Another voice has now chimed in, and it came wrapped in humor laced with a lethal dose of truth!

Josh Thomson breaks down Sonnen’s issues with “Dagestan wrestling”

On an episode of the ‘Weighing In’ podcast, UFC veteran Josh Thomson met Sonnen’s jabs about Islam Makahchev’s move up to welterweight with a smirk. Thomson explained, “I thought it was hilarious, if you guys don’t know anything about Chael…what I will tell you is he is a Russian/Dagestan wrestling hater.”

But was it just a bit? Or something deeper? Thomson further revealed that Sonnen’s issues with Russia extend to Sambo, the combat sport that has established its dominance with the rise of Dagestani fighters inside the Octagon.  According to Thomson, “If it has anything to do with Russian wrestling or Dagestan wrestling… he’s gonna take the other side every single time.”

Thomson then shared that he sent a text to Sonnen and promised that he was going to “roast” him for his take. And then he dropped the bombshell. His reasoning? If Islam Makhachev supposedly “fled” lightweight to avoid a matchup against Ilia Topuria, then couldn’t the same thing be said about ‘El Matador’ and Movsar Evloev? It’s a valid question.

So, what’s really going on here? Is the MMA world punishing Islam Makhachev for daring to dream beyond what they expected of him? Or are some critics, like Sonnen, simply playing the villain in a sport that thrives on drama? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!