Chael Sonnen criticized the UFC for excluding Magomed Ankalaev from the vacant light heavyweight title fight. Sonnen pointed out that Ankalaev has a 1-1 record with Alex Pereira and is the only fighter in the group who has actually beaten Pereira, yet he was not even considered for the title bout. Sonnen expressed confusion about why the title fight excludes the division's most exciting fighter (Rountree), most intriguing (Jamal), and most credentialed (Ankalaev). He argued that the current matchup has such a weak storyline that people aren't even discussing the absence of the right contenders, and claimed both participants are wrong choices for the title fight.
