"That's not what jiu-jitsu was made for"– Chael Sonnen breaks down why he thinks Charles Oliveira won't be able to submit Islam Makhachev from the bottom
Chael Sonnen believes former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira will not be able to submit Islam Makhachev from his back. Oliveira is set to fight the Russian on October 22 with the lightweight title on the line. The UFC is returning to Fight Island in Abu Dhabi with perhaps the most stacked card ever.
Ahead of the highly awaited UFC 280 event, former UFC fighter Chael Sonnen gave his views on Oliveira submitting Islam Makhachev from the bottom in a grappling exchange.
Both 'do Bronx' and Makhachev are elite grapplers in their own right; Oliveira specializes in Brazilian ji-jitsu, while Makhachev is a Sambo world champion and an excellent wrestler. The Dagestani likes to advance position from top after taking his foes down, while Oliveira can lock in a submission out of nowhere with his wizardry.
Next Saturday 👀
[ #UFC280 | October 22nd | Live on ESPN+ PPV: UFC.ac/3DHmCjx ] https://t.co/lMTfwVp4w0
Weighing in on whether Oliveira can submit Makhachev from his back, Sonnen quoted BJJ legend Royce Gracie and explained to the fans:
"Finding a submission from your back, is on the top of the list of things that don't work. Royce himself told us in 2001, that's not what jiu-jitsu was made for."
He added:
"Charles isn't gonna submit anybody from his back. Charles has not submitted anybody good from his back."
Interestingly, Sonnen himself was submitted by Anderson Silva from his back in the dying moments of a fight the American was winning. It was at UFC 117 in 2010.
Take a look at the submission below:
However, Sonnen claimed that if Oliveira does end up submitting someone from his back, it is something that should be studied. He does not believe that Khabib Nurmagomedov's protege will be the one 'do Bronx' will do it against.
Take a look at the video:
Chael Sonnen on Alexander Volkanovski becoming the official backup fighter for Oliveira vs. Makhachev
The UFC's No.1- P4P fighter is fresh off a minor surgery and traveling across the world as the official backup fighter for the title fight between Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev. The Australian has agreed to opt-in as a last-minute replacement if either fighter fails to make weight before the fight.
Chael Sonnen gave his views on the announcement:
"I think it's a really big deal... I think that it's paramount. Whoever wins between Islam or Charles, they call Volk out immediately. He's completely undefeated [in the UFC], he's willing to put that on the line. He's never fought at 155."
Sonnen believes that Volkanovski should be the next opponent for whoever wins the lightweight title fight between Oliveira and Makhachev. The Australian is willing to fight either one of them on short notice, despite never having fought at 155lbs.
Take a look at Chael Sonnen's short reaction below:
Alex Volkanovski is officially the #ufc280 back-up fighter… https://t.co/wxBjb1KOn1