Chael Sonnen recently criticized Joaquin Buckley’s decision to call out Conor McGregor following his victory over Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC St. Louis. Buckley, after securing a unanimous decision win, used his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping to launch a provocative challenge at McGregor, labeling the former double champion’s family with a string of derogatory remarks.
The unexpected callout did not garner the response Buckley might have hoped for. McGregor has not responded, and Buckley faced backlash from both fighters and fans who felt he squandered an opportunity to call out a ranked welterweight. Chael Sonnen addressed the situation on his YouTube channel, expressing his views on the effectiveness of Buckley’s callout strategy.
Sonnen acknowledged Buckley’s boldness but stressed the futility of a callout that doesn’t elicit a response. He explained that an effective callout should at least provoke a reaction from the targeted individual, even if it’s negative. Sonnen stated:
“There’s nothing wrong with going after number one, there’s nothing wrong with hyping yourself up. But to have an effective callout, at a minimum, you must get a response from the person you called out. Even if he tells you to shove it.”
Meanwhile, in a related context, UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has shown an openness to facing Conor McGregor in 2024. Makhachev, who is set to defend his title against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302, mentioned on the Pound 4 Pound podcast that he would consider a fight with McGregor if both win their upcoming matches. Makhachev remarked:
“Brother, why not [face Conor McGregor]? People have to be stupid to say no. Of course, I will fight with him… Brother, when I will fight next? October or November? I can fight August or September with McGregor.”
Makhachev’s statement highlights the ongoing allure of McGregor as a high-profile opponent despite his recent inactivity. This potential matchup underscores McGregor’s enduring influence in the sport and the continuous interest from top-tier fighters to face him in the octagon.
