Chael Sonnen has voiced significant criticism regarding the UFC 327 main event, which features Jiri Prochazka against Carlos Ulberg for the vacant light heavyweight championship. The UFC decided to book this bout after former two-time champion Alex Pereira relinquished the title to pursue glory in the heavyweight division.
Prochazka, currently ranked second in the light heavyweight division, is on a two-fight winning streak, having recently secured knockout victories over Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr. Ulberg, ranked third, boasts an impressive nine-fight winning streak in the UFC, with notable wins against Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz.
While the matchup appears to be a logical step for two top contenders vying for a title, Chael Sonnen disagrees with the UFC’s decision.
Chael Sonnen Slams UFC 327 Main Event
The UFC Hall of Famer believes that the championship fight features the “wrong guys.” In a recent video posted to his channel, Sonnen argued that Khalil Rountree Jr., Jamahal Hill, or Magomed Ankalaev would have been more deserving contenders than either Prochazka or Ulberg for the vacant title.
“I have no idea why Jiri Prochazka is fighting Ulberg, other than Alex Pereira left. I have no idea why we have a world title fight at 205 pounds that does not involve the most exciting 205-pounder, Rountree, the most compelling 205-pounder, Jamahal, or the most decorated 205-pounder, Ankalaev.”
“The storyline on this fight is so poor… Neither guy is the right guy. We have got two wrong guys… I’m well aware that I could get on the scale and go whip both of these guys’ a*s. That’s not the point. I’m not going to. I’m going to be on the outside calling the fight.”
Sonnen did not hold back in his assessment of the UFC 327 main event, stating:
“I can’t put lipstick on this pig!… But sometimes… You gotta shoot on the son of a bi*ch. That’s the way you handle this. Let me shoot on the son of a bi*ch. Not only do we have the wrong guy in this fight, we have two wrong guys! Where is Ankalaev?”
It’s worth noting that the fighters Chael Sonnen suggested as more deserving contenders for the light heavyweight title at UFC 327 are all coming off recent losses. Khalil Rountree Jr. was TKO’d by Jiri Prochazka, Jamahal Hill is on a three-fight losing streak with his last victory in 2023, and Magomed Ankalaev lost to Alex Pereira in their rematch last year.
English Translation:
Chael Sonnen has expressed strong disapproval of the UFC 327 main event, where Jiri Prochazka is set to face Carlos Ulberg for the vacant light heavyweight championship. This bout was arranged after the former two-time champion, Alex Pereira, vacated the title to pursue a three-division title run in the heavyweight division.
Prochazka, the No. 2 ranked contender in the light heavyweight division, is currently on a two-fight win streak, with recent knockout victories over Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr. Meanwhile, Ulberg, ranked No. 3, is riding a nine-fight winning streak in the UFC and has secured wins against notable opponents like Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz.
Although a clash between two top contenders for the light heavyweight title seems logical, Chael Sonnen views it differently.
Chael Sonnen Blasts UFC 327 Main Event
According to the UFC Hall of Famer, “two wrong guys are fighting for the world title.” In a recent video on his channel, Sonnen opined that Khalil Rountree Jr., Jamahal Hill, or Magomed Ankalaev should have been granted the opportunity instead of Ulberg or Prochazka. He stated:
“I have no idea why Jiri Prochazka is fighting Ulberg, other than Alex Pereira left. I have no idea why we have a world title fight at 205 pounds that does not involve the most exciting 205-pounder, Rountree, the most compelling 205-pounder, Jamahal, or the most decorated 205-pounder, Ankalaev.”
“The storyline for this fight is so poor… Neither guy is the right guy. We have two wrong guys… I am well aware that I could step on the scale and defeat both of these guys. That’s not the point. I’m not going to. I will be on the outside analyzing the fight.”
He elaborated further on the UFC 327 main event:
“I cannot sugarcoat this!… But sometimes… You have to go after the son of a b*tch. That’s how you handle this. Let me go after the son of a b*tch. Not only do we have the wrong guy in this fight, we have two wrong guys! Where is Ankalaev?”
It’s worth noting that all three fighters Chael Sonnen named as deserving contenders for the light heavyweight title at UFC 327 are coming off recent losses. Khalil Rountree Jr. suffered a TKO defeat to Jiri Prochazka, Jamahal Hill is currently on a three-fight losing streak, with his last win in 2023. Magomed Ankalaev was dethroned by Alex Pereira last year in their rematch.
