Chael Sonnen questions Arman Tsarukyanthe decision not to fight Islam Makhachev at UFC 302.
After defeating Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in April, Tsarukyan turned down an opportunity to challenge lightweight champion Makhachev earlier this month. Makhachev faced Dustin Poirier, submitting him in the fifth round.
Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) is the current number 1 contender. However, Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) is more interested in other options like the welterweight title and even Conor McGregor , instead of going back on Tsarukyan.
Sonnen thinks Tsarukyan may now have lost his title opportunity.
“Someone in that location would be very vulnerable if that location were occupied,” Sonnen said in his Youtube channel. “Tsarukyan received Islam. The same fight Dustin Poirier just had was offered to Tsarukyan. … I was surprised he said no. Historically speaking, it’s not a good idea in the UFC – and that’s 99 percent: it’s not a good idea to turn down fights.”
Sonnen is also surprised that no other lightweight contender has made a call to Makhachev or tried to take Tsarukyan’s spot in the title fight.
“There isn’t a 155-pound fighter out there who has called out for Islam on one hand but has gone after Arman on two,” Sonnen said. “And what a vulnerable position that is, by using the facts, by using the truth, by bringing up the fact (Tsarukyan) refused, it’s one of those things. I don’t think that Islam itself doesn’t want to fight openly – Islam just wants new confrontations. I think we all understand that.”
