Why Is Islam Makhachev Asking Them to Fight?
Islam Makhachev sits atop the UFC welterweight division with two viable challengers emerging in Michael Morales and Carlos Prates. So why is the champion suggesting they fight each other?
Chael Sonnen examines Islam’s unusual approach to the contenders waiting behind him. After watching Ian Machado Garry offer specific resistance to Islam, Chael says the Michael Morales matchup suddenly became much more interesting.
Carlos Prates brings another compelling option with power, personality and a style fans want to see.
But instead of picking one, Islam suggested Morales and Prates fight each other.
Chael questions what that means for Islam’s immediate future.
If the UFC makes that fight, the process of determining a winner, recovery, another training camp and promotion could leave the champion waiting for months.
Chael compares Islam’s strategy with Alexander Volkanovski’s willingness to simply fight whoever has earned the next opportunity and asks a simple question: if you have t