Chael Sonnen has criticized the UFC for not including Magomed Ankalaev in the vacant light heavyweight title bout. Sonnen noted that Ankalaev has a 1-1 record against former champion Alex Pereira and is the only one who has actually defeated Pereira, yet was not even considered for the title fight. Sonnen argued that the fight lacks the right competitors, saying it should include either the most exciting fighter (Roundtree), the most intriguing (Jamal), or the most accomplished (Ankalaev). He concluded that both current participants are wrong for the fight, stating the storyline is so weak that people aren't even discussing who should actually be in it.
Veteran MMA analyst Chael Sonnen went public with sharp criticism of the UFC's decision to exclude Magomed Ankalaev from the vacant light heavyweight title picture, arguing the promotion passed over its most deserving contender in organizing the forthcoming championship bout.
Sonnen's case for Ankalaev centers on the Russian's head-to-head history with former champion Alex Pereira. Ankalaev holds a 1-1 record against Pereira and stands as the only fighter to have handed "Poatan" a defeat. That argument carries weight when laid against Ankalaev's broader résumé: the 34-year-old from Russia carries a 21-2-1 professional record, sits ranked first in the light heavyweight division, and is ranked fifth pound-for-pound in the UFC. Standing six-foot-three with a 75-inch reach, Ankalaev is an orthodox striker who lands 3.65 significant strikes per minute at a 52 percent accuracy rate, adding a steady takedown threat at 0.79 per fifteen minutes.
Alex Pereira, whose championship status is listed in the verified fighter data, brings a 13-4 record into his light heavyweight reign at 38 years old. The Brazilian stands six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach and is one of the sport's most prolific strikers, landing 5.16 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 62 percent accuracy rate.
Sonnen framed the exclusion in stark terms, presenting three fighters he believed deserved consideration ahead of the two competitors actually booked: the most exciting option in Roundtree, the most intriguing in Jamal, or the most accomplished in Ankalaev. In his view, neither fighter currently slotted into the bout belongs there, and he suggested the matchup's weak narrative is evidenced by the lack of public conversation about who should rightfully be competing for the belt.
Why it matters
- Ankalaev's No. 1 divisional ranking and direct win over Pereira make his omission a legitimate talking point for the division's credibility
- The vacant title scenario raises questions about UFC matchmaking priorities at 205 pounds
- Style and record both support Ankalaev as a logical frontrunner for any light heavyweight title opportunity
