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UFC star Islam Makhachev tipped to retire before end of next year: ‘He has cleaned out 155 pounds’

Undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev is likely to call time on his illustrious mixed martial arts career before the…

Undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev is likely to call time on his illustrious mixed martial arts career before the end of next year according to analyst and former title chaser, Chael Sonnen, who argues the current titleholder has cleared out the lightweight ranks more so than his training partner and coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov did.

Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion and pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter under the banner of the promotion, made his return to the Octagon at UFC 294 back in October.

Taking on featherweight titleholder counterpart, Alexander Volkanovski in a short-notice title rematch, Makhachev landed a spectacular first round finish over the Australian, stopping his two-time foe with a flush – high-kick KO win in a surefire Knockout of the Year contender.

And offering to compete for the promotion before Ramadan in a hasty return to the Octagon in March, lightweight kingpin, Makhachev has been linked with a championship defense against current symbolic BMF titleholder, Justin Gaethje next.

Islam Makhachev backed to retire by end of 2025

According to former middleweight and light heavyweight title challenger, Sonnen, however, fans of Makhachev should make sure to get their viewing on the Russian in before the end of next year – tipping the Russian to end his tenure in the sport by the conclusion of 2025.

“Islam Makhachev, you want him to keep fighting?” Chael Sonnen said on his YouTube channel. “Do you want him to go out like Khabib (Nurmagomedov). There is very good evidence that Islam has cleaned out 155 pounds more than Khabib… As you look at Islam saying, ‘I would like to go to 170 pounds.’ If [the UFC] wanted to get Khabib to consider [returning], they needed to make it 170 pounds or a catchweight, and they needed to make it an opponent he was yet to face.”

“…They’re [the UFC] gonna find out a lot sooner than they’d have to that Islam is done… If he keesp his three fights in 2024, you are not gonna se him in 2025, that I do know… You’re giving him matches he doesn’t want to have… If you want to keep him and elongate his career, you’re gonna have to start looking at either catchweight or 170 [pounds]. Islam Makhachev will not weight 155 pounds more than three times again in his life.” (H/T MMA News)

Do you think Islam Makhachev is on the brink of retirement?

Israel Adesanya urged to commit to UFC 300 return, fight Strickland – du Plessis winner: ‘They’re trying to procure that fight’

Former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has been urged to make a commitment and announce plans to fight…

Former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has been urged to make a commitment and announce plans to fight at UFC 300 next year, with Chael Sonnen urging the City Kickboxing staple to seek out a fight with Sean Strickland or Dricus du Plessis ahead of their fight later this month.

Adesanya, a former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 293 back in September against the above-mentioned, Strickland, dropping his championship for the second time in a year in the form of a stunning upset decision loss to the outspoken challenger.

And in the immediate aftermath of UFC 293, Nigerian-Kiwi striker, Israel Adesanya claimed he would be sidelined until 2027 at the very earliest, before claiming that fans and pundits fell for his joking nature.

Israel Adesanya urged to fight at UFC 300

Confirming plans to make a comeback in the coming months, Adesanya has been linked with a UFC 300 trilogy clash with two-time Octagon foe, Alex Pereira, however, as far as Sonnen is confirmed, the former should go after a rematch with Strickland, or a grudge fight with du Plessis at the flagship event.

“The reason that (Sean) Strickland and (Dricus) du Plessis was rushed to the marketplace is because the winner is gonna take on Izzy at UFC 300,” Chael Sonnen said on his YouTube channel. “Now that isn’t done… But that is the option that is attempting to be preserved the most. Izzy has spoke on this. Izzy has not given us a commitment, but he’s come close. One thing that I do prefer is that Izzy go first.”

“I would prefer that Izzy, prior to Strickland vs. du Plessis, goes first and says, ‘I’ll be waiting for you in April at 300.’” Sonnen explained. “The reason is because while I know that’s the match they’re [the UFC] trying to procure. If Izzy goes second – which means we’ve established who the winner is, and then Izzy makes his choice – it gives the perception that it’s a favorable matchup in Izzy’s opinion.” (H/T MMA News)

Do you expect to see Israel Adesanya feature at UFC 300?

Chael Sonnen scoffs at Strickland – du Plessis ‘Illegally fighting’ in crowd at UFC 296: ‘I don’t like that stuff’

Veteran former title challenger, Chael Sonnen has lambasted both Sean Strickland and incoming championship chaser, Dricus du Plessis for…

Veteran former title challenger, Chael Sonnen has lambasted both Sean Strickland and incoming championship chaser, Dricus du Plessis for brawling in the crowd on fighter row at UFC 296 earlier this month, claiming the pair’s coming together physically had nothing to do with fight promotion.

Chael Sonnen unhappy with Strickland – du Plessis melee at UFC 296

Sonnen, a former undisputed light heavyweight and middleweight title challenger under the banner of the UFC, turned analyst, claimed that while he was not a “prude” – he was not a fan of last weekend’s scuffle between Strickland and du Plessis, which resulted in the defending middleweight champion’s exit from the T-Mobile Arena.

“It’s not as though there wasn’t repercussions – (Sean) Strickland got thrown out,” Chael Sonnen told MMA Fighting. “That’s how security handles these things. There always becomes a question of what level of authority needs to do it, and there seems to be this idea that it needs to be the sport, or the governing body. That gets a little bit strange for me.”

“It’s not as thought that wasn’t dealt with,” Sonnen explained. “But no, I don’t like that stuff. I’m not a prude about it, but that isn’t fight promotion – that’s fighting, and that isn’t sanctioned fighting. That’s illegal fighting. I’m not a prude, but I don’t like when the punches get thrown. You’ve got to be able to have these back and forths, and you get to have a level of honor, and no, I didn’t like that.”

Sharing their respective thoughts on the brawl between fellow middleweights, former champion, Israel Adesanya claimed he was all there for their melee on fighter row, while fan-favorite striker, Robert Whittaker claimed that he believed something appeared fishy about the engagement, speculating that it was pre-planned before UFC 296.

Colby Covington throws shade at Chael Sonnen’s cushy Orgeon upbringing: ‘Imagine having to live off 100k a year’

Colby Covington doesn’t think too highly of Chael Sonnen’s ‘American Gangster’ persona. Chaos’ is coming off yet another welterweight…

Colby Covington doesn’t think too highly of Chael Sonnen’s ‘American Gangster’ persona.

Chaos’ is coming off yet another welterweight title loss, falling short in his third attempt at claiming UFC gold against reigning and defending world champion Leon Edwards. Following the devastating defeat, Covington appeared on the Patrick Bet-David podcast to discuss his return at UFC 296 and what may come next.

Along the way, the perennial contender threw some shade at a plethora of UFC talent, past and present. When likened to the UFC’s O.G. trash-talker, Chael Sonnen, Covington praised Sonnen’s tough-guy persona, sarcastically noting that it must have been tough growing up on the mean streets of Orgeon with parents who were only bringing in six figures.

“That’s our Oregon gangster,” Covington said with a laugh. “The West Linn gangster. You walk around the streets of West Linn, Oregon, people don’t realize how tough he had it. That guy’s a gangster. Some years, back 20 years ago, his parents only made $100,000 a year. Could you imagine having to live off $100,000 a year 20 years ago?”

Asked if he’s implying that Chael Sonnen had a comfortable upbringing, Covington doubled down on his sarcastic statement, saying with a smile:

“He had a tough upbringing. That’s tough. That’s poverish.”

Jump to the 1:38:00 minute mark of the below video to hear Covington speak about the UFC’s other three-time title challenger.

Colby Covington’s crack at the expense of ‘The American Gangster’ could be a response to Sonnen’s comments suggesting that we may never see ‘Chaos’ back inside the Octagon after failing to win the big one on three separate occasions.

“He’s had three world title fights, he was an interim champion, he never lost, he woke up one day, he wasn’t the interim champion,” Sonnen said following UFC 296. “He fought the reigning ‘BMF’ champion, dominated him, and never became ‘BMF’ champion. I think that there’s some real frustrations. I just don’t know if he wants to start over. That’s the hard truth. I don’t know that we see Colby Covington again.”

Covington has already called for a potential clash with top-10-ranked contender Stephen Thompson after ‘Wonderboy’ suffered a submission loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov at the promotion’s final pay-per-view event of the year. Whether or not he gets his wish or is willing to sign on the dotted line should the UFC make the offer remains to be seen.

UFC icon critiques Tony Ferguson’s recent downfall, losing skid: ‘He’s not sparring, he missing his opponent’

Off the back of his seventh consecutive loss at UFC 296 over the course of last weekend, former interim…

Off the back of his seventh consecutive loss at UFC 296 over the course of last weekend, former interim lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson’s recent downfall in the Octagon may be a direct result of a lack of sparring – according to former title challenger, Chael Sonnen.

Ferguson, a former interim lightweight champion and perennial division contender, featured on the main card of UFC 296 over the course of last weekend in his second appearance of the year, dropping a one-sided unanimous decision loss to Paddy Pimblett.

Tying former two-weight UFC champion, B.J. Penn for the longest concurrent losing skid in the Octagon with his seventh consecutive blemish, Ferguson insisted, however, despite encouragement from Dana White, that he would not consider retiring from mixed martial arts competition.

“Love my fans & supporters you all are f*ckin’ fire,” Tony Ferguson posted on his official Instagram. “Met lots of you tonight, keep the faith MF’s. One foot in front of the other b*tches, remember what I said crew – champ.”

Tony Ferguson brushes off calls for retirement

Insisting he would not be retiring from combat sports – Oxnard veteran, Ferguson claimed those who called for him to do so were just “casuals”, however, a lack of sparring and live-action preparation with other fighters for his bouts, could be the reason for his losing run, according to ex-UFC title challenger, Sonnen.

“Tony Ferguson is the same age as (Stephen) ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson,” Chael Sonnen said on his YouTube channel. “Now, when you have a fresh memory in your mind because you just saw them both fight, did they look anything similar?”

“The reason it looked the way that it looked, the reason he (Tony Ferguson) was having a hard time with range, he’s missing his opponent, the reason: he doesn’t spar,” Sonnen explained. (H/T MMA on Point)

Do you agree with Chael Sonnen’s take on Tony Ferguson’s skid?

Have we seen the last of Colby Covington? Former UFC title contender Chael Sonnen Seems to think so

Is it possible that we never see Colby Covington inside the Octagon again? Chael Sonnen certainly thinks so. In…

Is it possible that we never see Colby Covington inside the Octagon again? Chael Sonnen certainly thinks so.

In the months leading up to his highly anticipated return at UFC 296, Covington talked a very big game but failed to deliver, offering up a relatively flat and uninspiring performance against reigning welterweight world champion Leon Edwards. Following the loss, ‘Chaos’ was still in relatively good spirits, promising the live crowd that he would be back and better than ever.

But will he really?

Chael Sonnen is not convinced Colby Covington wants to start Over

Covington intends to be more active in the future, even angling for a scrap with Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson in 2024. Another name that has popped up for Covington is undefeated standout Shavkat Rakhmonov. Chael Sonnen likes both of those ideas, but after ‘Chaos’ came up short in three title fights, two of which he arguably didn’t earn, ‘The American Gangster’ is not convinced that the staunch Trump supporter is willing to work his way back up.

“I love your suggestion of Rakhmonov. I’m just not sure Dana will even make that suggestion to Colby,” Sonnen said after UFC 296 (via MMAJunkie). “What I worry about is will he take it? I don’t know where his heart is at. To go up that mountain as many times as he did. Colby’s career is a riddle.

“He’s had three world title fights, he was an interim champion, he never lost, he woke up one day, he wasn’t the interim champion. He fought the reigning ‘BMF’ champion, dominated him, and never became ‘BMF’ champion. I think that there’s some real frustrations. I just don’t know if he wants to start over. That’s the hard truth. I don’t know that we see Colby Covington again.”

After winning seven straight fights, Covington scored his first UFC title opportunity against Kamaru Usman at UFC 245. ‘Chaos’ suffered a fifth-round knockout, but he talked his way into a rematch two years later. And while he fared much better in the sequel, he still lost via a unanimous decision.

He has now lost three of his last five dating back to 2019.