"You also thought Ronda could beat up Floyd" - UFC insider shares eye-opening insights about the Islam Makhachev vs. Alex Pereira debate
The hypothetical Islam Makhachev vs. Alex Pereira fight has taken on a life of its own. However, the idea of a lightweight beating a light heavyweight has been ridiculed by many, including UFC insider and Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen, who took to YouTube to discuss it.
While analyzing the bout, he brought up one of the previous hypothetical matchups that dominated headlines: Ronda Rousey vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. The logic was that Mayweather's inexperience with grappling and kickboxing would lead to his downfall against Rousey.
Sonnen, however, believes that the assumption had no merit, nor does the idea that Makhachev, the UFC lightweight champion, could defeat Pereira, the light heavyweight champion.
"If you're buying into Islam can beat Pereira, we're understanding that MMA math works. Then you're pretty damn sure that [Alexander] Volkanovski, a 45-pounder, can beat Pereira. And to get to Pereira, you're gonna have to beat everybody along the way. So you're pretty sure that Volkanovski can beat Dricus [du Plessis]. That's what you're saying."
Sonnen drives his point home further, highlighting the improbability of fighters defeating opponents multiple weight classes above. After all, Alexander Volkanovski once fought at welterweight but moved down to featherweight after realizing how suboptimal fighting at welterweight was for him.
"If you're saying Islam can beat Pereira, you're saying Volk can beat Dricus. Come on. Is that what you're saying? Is that really what you're saying? Now, some of you are gonna say yes, some of you are gonna do that, but I want to play an honest game right now. I want you to be real fair with yourself and with the audience. You also thought that Ronda could beat up Floyd, didn't you? You stupid, stupid fool."
Check out Chael Sonnen dismissing Islam Makhachev vs. Alex Pereira (5:10):
The debate was sparked by Ali Abdelaziz, who manages the Dagestani star, claiming that Makhachev would submit Pereira if they fought. Unfortunately, this isn't the first time Makhachev has been hyped to hyperbolic heights by his associates.
Belal Muhammad previously favored Islam Makhachev over Dricus du Plessis
Newly-crowned UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad once claimed in a Home of Fight interview, that Islam Makhachev could move up to middleweight and dethrone Dricus du Plessis as champion.
"I think he'll beat du Plessis. I think he is a better all-around fighter. He's strong enough to compete with du Plessis. He can definitely do it if he wants to be a double champ."
Check out Belal Muhammad picking Islam Makhachev over Dricus du Plessis:
Naturally, such a claim led to a brief feud between Muhammad and du Plessis.