Islam Makhachev decided to shift to welterweight after defending his lightweight title 4 times in a row. Now that Belal Muhammad is not sitting on the throne, the Dagestani is free to fight new champ Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight title. However, UFC veteran Chael Sonnen  did not seem to be happy about that and said that Makhachev was a ‘coward’ for vacating his belt. Is there a new feud brewing?

Recently, Makhachev and Sonnen got into a heated exchange on X ever since ‘The Bad Guy’ called the former out for vacating his belt. In the recent episode of the Good Guy/Bad Guy podcast, Sonnen said, “You are so interested in getting away from this guy that you not only leave your belt, you leave your division, and the whole thing is only contingent that you don’t have to fight [Ilia Topuria].” Well, Makhachev clapped back as per MMA Uncensored. He said, “Chasing hype and money is not the same as chasing greatness in sport. But an average athlete who built his way to the top with cheap trash talk won’t understand that. So please sit and watch how others do it uncle Chael.”

Well, ‘The American Gangster’ has replied with fiery remarks in the pure classic Sonnen style on X. He wrote multiple posts like, “When you’re tired of rolling around in front of bored crowds and drawing fewer viewers than a Hog-Hollerin’ contest, get in touch.You won’t be the first guy from your gym who begged me for material…” He continued posting and wrote, “and Check your magazine before you try to fire, SonnyBoy It’s EMPTY You believed a rumor.” Sonnen ended the tirade with, “So don’t be shy and don’t pick fake fights w/me to get my attention Your HERO is my ACOLYTE So is his NEMESIS SO are YOU.”

Makhachev has already set the record for the most title defenses in UFC lightweight history with 4 in a row. He had also previously mentioned to UFC.com that he was always preparing for a dual-weight championship legacy. On top of that, Makahchev had declared that he was tired of fighting featherweights moving up to lightweight and did not want to clash against Topuria because of this. “I don’t see a lot of work to do in my division, I beat almost everybody,” Makhachev began to explain to Ushatayka.

In fact this criticism by Sonnen was not taken positively by Makhachev and the former’s common friend Daniel Cormier. Nor was it taken nicely by another veteran UFC star.

UFC veterans lambast criticism of Islam Makhachev’s move up to welterweight

“I’m very surprised people are saying that,” Matt Brown said on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer. “That’s a very silly thing to say. Islam ducking someone, that sentence just doesn’t make sense, those words. I just don’t see that at all.” In fact, even Daniel Cormier decided to address what Sonnen said that explaining, “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.”  He pointed out the hipocricy of the criticises and said,“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?”

First critics claimed that Makhachev had a size advantage in lightweight and now they say he is ducking Topuria. Cormier reminded the MMA fans that Jack Della Maddalena’s title-winning performance against Belal Muhammad is enough proof to his elite skillset compared to “anyone in the UFC”. In fact Makhachev was brave enough to take on Renato Moicano at UFC 311 when Arman Tsarukyan withdrew in the last moment.

In fact, Josh Thomson, too, reprimanded Sonnen in his Weighing In podcast. 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.” So, do you agree with the defenders of Makhachev? What will happen further in this new Sonnen vs Makhachev feud? Tell us your judgment in the comments below!