Chael Sonnen extends an "olive branch" to Islam Makhachev with hilarious message in response to UFC star's recent diss

Islam Makhachev's move up to welterweight has landed him in a feud. Strangely, it isn't with Jack Della Maddalena, but Chael Sonnen, who recently issued a response to a tweet from the Dagestani star. The soon-to-be lightweight champion hit back against Sonnen's characterization of him as a coward.

In the aforementioned tweet, Makhachev mocked Sonnen for having a legacy that revolved more around trash talk and hype than skill and accomplishments. Naturally, in a recent ESPN MMA video, Sonnen issued his rebuttal, which saw him taunt Makhachev by disingenuously extending an olive branch.

"There are many paths to greatness, son. Travel yours, as I traveled mine. And I will be there to help you as you stumble, as I always have. Signed, uncle Chael. No, no, no. Signed, your guardian angel. No, no, no. Signed, your elder brother. You know what? Put them all. Uncle Chael, your guardian angel, your elder brother. And in the future, if I want your opinion, I'll beat it out of you. No, no, no. Leave that part out. Let me extend an olive branch."

Check out Chael Sonnen's response to Islam Makhachev (36:48):

It comes as no surprise that Sonnen fired back in the way that he has. Even in retirement, he remains one of MMA's more gifted trash-talkers. Furthermore, Makhachev isn't the only high-profile fighter with whom he's feuded since hanging up the gloves.

For Makhachev, though, Sonnen is hardly a concern. Instead, he is now focused on preparing himself for an upcoming welterweight title fight.

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Islam Makhachev has been ramping up his own trash talk lately

In the wake of Islam Makhachev's move up to welterweight, many have taken aim at him with accusations that he's ducking Ilia Topuria. Even Topuria himself has echoed similar sentiments. This prompted Makhachev to respond by penning a tweet aimed directly at 'El Matador.' He wrote on X last week:

"Difference between me and you, that I cleaned top list in my division, moved to next, but you ran away from two contenders who had consecutive 5-9 wins in FW division. You are nobody in LW division, just a big mouth from Spain with nice haircut. Go get one W, and we can talk boy"

Of course, Topuria was quick to fire back at Makhachev, but the potential for a matchup between the two is now dead in the water unless Topuria sees a real future at welterweight. For now, the Spaniard is focused on UFC 317 lightweight title fight against Charles Oliveira.