Chael Sonnen questions Arman Tsarukyan’s determination to not battle Islam Makhachev at UFC 302.
After defeating Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in April, Tsarukyan turned down a short-notice alternative to problem light-weight champion Makhachev earlier this month. Makhachev confronted Dustin Poirier as an alternative, submitting him in Spherical 5.
Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) is the present No. 1 contender. Nonetheless, Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) is extra fascinated by different choices such because the welterweight title and even Conor McGregor, over working issues again with Tsarukyan.
Sonnen thinks Tsarukyan might now have missed out on his title alternative.
“Any individual in that spot can be very weak to have that spot taken,” Sonnen stated on his YouTube channel. “Tsarukyan was provided Islam. The very battle that Dustin Poirier simply did was provided to Tsarukyan. … I used to be shocked that he stated no. It’s not a good suggestion, traditionally talking, within the UFC – and it is a 99 %: It’s not a good suggestion to show down fights.”
Sonnen can also be shocked that no different light-weight contender has issued Makhachev a callout, or tried to take Tsarukyan’s title competition spot.
“There’s not a 155-pounder on the market who has referred to as out Islam, for one, however who has gone after Arman’s spot, for 2,” Sonnen stated. “And what a weak place that’s, through the use of the details, through the use of the reality, by citing the very fact (Tsarukyan) turned it down, it’s certainly one of these items. I don’t suppose Islam himself who doesn’t overly wish to do the battle – Islam simply desires new matchups. I feel all of us perceive that.”
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