Chael Sonnen disapproves of possible fight between Gilbert Durinho and Khamzat Chimaev: 'don't support that'

K. Chimaev (left) could face G. Durinho (right) in January. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

the duel between Gilbert Durinho e Khamzat Shimaev appears to be in the UFC's plans for 2022, but it is not unanimous among experts. Former challenger for the organization's belt and current commentator, Chael Sonnen spoke out against the possible meeting between the welterweights (up to 77 kg).

On your YouTube channel, Chael Sonnen asked fans not to support the idea of ​​a duel between the Brazilian and the Russian-born Swede. According to Sonnen, Neil Magny should be chosen as Chimaev's next opponent.

"In my opinion, Neil Magny should do this fight. Not Gilbert Burns. Burns and Chimaev, if you hear anyone talk about this, don't support it. Don't be a part of this, don't retweet this, don't post this, kill this story. You owe it to Burns. Someone needs to jump on the grenade and that is Chimaev. How good is he? How good isn't he? What is truth? What is not? Let him (Magny) figure it out. Someone needs to jump on the grenade of facing a prospect as good as Chimaev.”

Still according to Sonnen, Gilbert Burns, second in the welterweight rankings, should face someone in the top 5 of the division, and not serve as a “ladder” for Chimaev’s rise. The former fighter believes that Durinho has already done the UFC too many favors.

“Gilbert Burns deserves to be where he is. Someone has to jump on that grenade, but it's not him. Gilbert has already done a lot of favors. If Chimaev is as good as people think and someone needs to be a 'ladder' for him, it shouldn't be Gilbert. Gilbert has done enough. His phone has rang too many times to do work that no one else had the courage to do. Don't support this fight, don't mention this fight. Gilbert deserves not to be a potential 'ladder' for Chimaev”, concluded the American.