Chael Sonnen criticizes Ankalaev's exclusion from light heavyweight title bout

Chael Sonnen has publicly criticized the decision to exclude Magomed Ankalaev from the vacant light heavyweight title fight. Sonnen pointed out that Ankalaev holds a 1-1 record with Alex Pereira and is the only fighter in the current top contenders group who has actually defeated Pereira, yet he was not even considered for the title bout. Sonnen expressed confusion over why the title fight excludes the division's most spectacular fighter (Rountree), most intriguing (Jamahal), or most accomplished (Ankalaev). He argued that the current title fight has such a weak narrative that people aren't even discussing the absence of the right fighters, and in his view, both participants are wrong choices for the championship bout.