Chael Sonnen has publicly criticized the UFC's decision to exclude Magomed Ankalaev from the vacant light heavyweight title fight. Sonnen pointed out that Ankalaev holds a 1-1 record against Alex Pereira and is the only fighter in the division to have defeated Pereira, yet was not even considered for the championship bout. Sonnen expressed confusion over why the title fight doesn't include what he considers the most deserving contenders: Anthony Smith for being the most entertaining, Jamahal Hill for being the most intriguing, or Ankalaev for being the most accomplished. He stated that the current title fight matchup has such a weak storyline that people aren't even discussing the absence of the right fighters, concluding that both participants are wrong choices for the bout.
