Chael Sonnen criticizes Ankalaev's exclusion from vacant title fight

Chael Sonnen has publicly criticized the UFC's decision not to include Magomed Ankalaev in the vacant light heavyweight title bout. Sonnen pointed out that Ankalaev holds a 1-1 record with former champion Alex Pereira and is the only fighter in the division who has defeated Pereira, yet he was not even considered for the title fight. Sonnen argued that the current title fight lacks the most exciting fighter (Rountree), the most intriguing option (Jamal Hill), or the most accomplished contender (Ankalaev). He concluded that the storyline for the current championship bout is so weak that people aren't even discussing the absence of the right fighters, stating that both current participants are the wrong choices for this title fight.