“I don’t believe his Jiu-Jitsu” – Chael Sonnen doesn’t believe that Charles Oliveira would submit Islam Makhachev at UFC 280
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Islam Makhachev Chael Sonnen Charles Oliveira
Ahead of UFC 280, Chael Sonnen gives his opinion on the main event. Charles Oliveira is fighting in a lightweight title bout against Islam Makhachev at UFC 280, according to Chael Sonnen, the fight cannot end in a submission victory for Oliveira. It is nearly difficult, claims Sonnen, to defeat a good grappler like Makhachev while he is sweating.
Speaking on his youtube channel Chael Sonnen said, “If Charles is gonna be the one getting the finish, I don’t believe it’s gonna be a submission. I don’t believe his jiu-jitsu, no matter how much you love it… is gonna be a factor in this match. Submitting guys is very rare. Submitting guys once they are sweaty and tired, even more rare. Submissions over good guys, next to never happens. So submissions against really good guys, who are sweaty and tired, in championship matches… I can name a couple, but it’s really rare.”
According to Sonnen, Islam Makhachev has the best chance of winning if he succeeds in a submit attempt or earns a TKO from the mount, and the only way Charles Oliveira defeats Makhachev is by knocking him out while the fight is on the feet. Interestingly, Sonnen compares Makhacahev’s journey with Chimaev’s to make his case for Islam’s credibility as a fight.
Chael Sonnen argues that fans should accept Islam Makhachev’s credibility as they do with Khamzat Chimaev
According to Chael Sonnen, UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev has a better UFC record than unbeaten welterweight Khamzat Chimaev.
Speaking on his youtube channel Chael Sonnen said, “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?”
Compared to Makhachev’s 12 wins and one loss in the UFC, Chimaev has a perfect 6-0 record there. Sonen thinks 16 victories overall is far more amazing. If Islam Makahachev wins the title at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi, all of his doubters would be silenced. Anything can happen in the heat of the battle. But, the world will finally get to see one of these two become the UFC Lightweight champion at UFC 280.
Also Read: What do Charles Oliveira’s tattoos signify?
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Soumya Ranjan
(2167 Articles Published)