New Delhi: UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad recently responded to the rumours of a potential fight with lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in the future. Despite the two fighters sharing a close bond having trained together for a number of years, there have been talks of a potential match-up after Makhachev revealed his aspirations to fight in the middleweight category to become a double UFC champion.
However, Muhammad has confirmed he has no intention of going up against Makhachev, whom he considers a ‘brother’. The American MMA star and Makhachev have trained together along with the other members of Team Khabib for years and have enjoyed great success in their respective divisions. Khabib himself admitted recently that it would be difficult for him to watch if the two had to go up against each other.
Muhammad said it wouldn’t be about money or the championship if it came down to fighting Makhachev and that he would happily get out of the way if a situation like that arose. He also stated that he is open to moving to a heavier weight category and fighting in the middleweight division at 185lbs if it comes down to fighting his friend for the welterweight title.
“I would never fight Islam because that’s different for me and him. We’ve trained together, and when you’re sweating with somebody, and you’re bleeding with somebody, it’s just a different relationship. It wouldn’t be about the money for me or for him, I would assume,” Muhammad told Barstool Sports Chicago.
Belal Muhammad ready to leave welterweight for Islam Makhachev
Makhachev, who has lost only once in 17 fights in the UFC so far, has already revealed he wants to become a double champion by winning the title in a heavier weight category. The welterweight category will be a natural progression for the lightweight champion where Muhammad currently reigns.
However, Muhammad is willing to give up the welterweight division altogether to make way for Makhachev. Muhammad said he himself dreams of becoming a double UFC champion and that a move to the middleweight category at 185 pounds won’t be an issue for him.
“So for me, I would rather go up to 185 pounds and let him just take 170 if that is the case,” said Muhammad.
“Since I’ve already had to fight my way up to 170, and I’ve beaten five of the top 10 guys, I’m two fights away from being able to challenge at 185 and saying, ‘Yeah, I want to be double champ’,” he added.
Muhammad defeated Gilbert Burns at UFC 288 in May 2023, winning the bout via unanimous decision. He won the UFC welterweight title after beating Leon Edwards by unanimous decision in July last year and was scheduled to defend his title against the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov in December last year. However, he had to pull out of the clash due to a bone infection in his foot.
UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad has made his feelings known about a potential match-up with lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Muhammad and Makhachev share a close bond having trained together for years. UFC Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
