Chael Sonnen argues that Makhachev has better UFC record than 'Borz'

Chael Sonnen is of the opinion that UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev's UFC record is better than undefeated welterweight Khamzat Chimaev's. Sonnen also questioned why the MMA community is so accepting of Khamzat Chimaev's greatness but not Islam Makhachev's.

The former UFC middleweight title contender attributes certain factors that made him recognize Makhachev's worth. Sonnen pointed out that it was easier for him at the time when he made his UFC debut to get a title shot with three consecutive victories, which has not been the case for the Dagestani, who's on a 10-fight win streak.

🔟 fight win streak, @MAKHACHEVMMA continues to smesh at 155lbs! 😤

✅ Chris Wade
✅ Nik Lentz
✅ Gleison Tibau
✅ Kajan Johnson
✅ Arman Tsarukyan
✅ Davi Ramos
✅ Drew Dober
✅ Thiago Moises
✅ Dan Hooker
✅ Bobby Green

#UFCVegas49 https://t.co/nHWJ0AaFIf

The way Sonnen sees it, a hard bar has been set on Islam Makhachev, who's beaten almost all the opponents the UFC has presented him with despite the apprehension of some fighters to face him. Khamzat Chimaev, on the other hand, has only faced one fighter in the upper echelon of the division, which makes Makhachev's record even more impressive.

On his YouTube channel, Sonnen further questioned why the MMA community is accepting of Khamzat Chimaev's greatness and dismissal of Makhachev's:

"There's a period of time where we could pretend that he [Khamzat Chimaev] didn't have hard competition. Now we're finding all the hard competition ducking him, avoiding him. And the guys that he does get in there with, he gets rid of quick. Why are we so accepting of how great Chimaev is but not as accepting of where Islam is? 5-0 is very impressive record in the UFC, 16-0 overall, very impressive for mixed martial arts. Aren't we just being a little bit tough on Islam Makhachev?

Chimaev's record in the UFC is 6-0 while Makhachev has 16 victories and only one loss in the organization.

UFC president Dana White was miffed at Makhachev as he turned down a short-notice fight against Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 272. The Russian was also scheduled to face Beneil Dariush at UFC Vegas 49, a fight that might have produced a future title challenger. However, Dariush withdrew after suffering a broken fibula.

Even though he's had a strenuous journey for the title shot, Makhachev has never changed his demeanor, something Sonnen deems praiseworthy.

Watch the full video below:

Chael Sonnen weighs in on whether Khamzat Chimaev was handpicked to fill the void left by Khabib Nurmagomedov

Khamzat Chimaev is one of the brightest prospects to emerge in the UFC in recent times. The surging welterweight contender took the MMA world by storm with his sheer dominance and willingness to fight anyone.

Fight fans were quick to compare 'Borz' to former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov owing to their dominant fighting styles centered around their wrestling prowess.

The UFC undoubtedly gave Chimaev the push he deserved, but certain sections of the MMA community regarded it as the organization's attempt to fill the void left by Nurmagomedov after he retired from the sport.

Weighing in on the comparisons on his YouTube channel, Chael Sonnen said:

"Would Chimaev fit that bill? Yes, he would. But the way the story is being told is as if though he's been handpicked to fill a void that nobody even knew was going to exist. The timeline just doesn't matchup. Chimaev bus had left the station before Khabib said c'est la vie."

Watch the full video below: