Chael Sonnen has laid out his vision for the UFC lightweight title picture, hinging on whether current champion Justin Gaethje decides to retire after his latest triumph.
Gaethje captured the UFC lightweight belt in June by defeating Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250 and has since publicly wavered on whether he will continue fighting. He had previously expressed interest in facing Conor McGregor if McGregor won at UFC 329, but McGregor lost to Max Holloway by early injury and TKO on that card.
Sonnen believes that if Gaethje stays active, Max Holloway, Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan are all in position for a title shot. “If Justin Gaethje retires and we get two guys to fight for a title, I do think Max is likely – and has a very strong case – to be one of those guys,” Sonnen said.
If Gaethje walks away, Sonnen sees the door opening to more matchmaking options, including Paddy Pimblett, who defeated Benoit Saint Denis by 52-second technical submission in the co-main event of UFC 329 and previously lost an interim title fight to Gaethje in January. Sonnen floated several possible pairings, adding, “Max vs. Ilia would be great. Paddy vs. Ilia happens to work out right now. Max vs. Arman Tsarukyan would be great. Paddy vs. Tsarukyan would work out right now. But when you start to do the math, there is this outside idea nobody has brought up yet: Paddy vs. Max.”
Sonnen also endorsed Pimblett’s upside at 155 pounds, stating, “Paddy is a very dangerous guy,” and, “Paddy really is special. There's nothing that says to me he can't be a world champion at the toughest weight class in the sport.”
