UFC welterweight champ Belal Muhammad believes his division is tougher than Dricus du Plessis‘s middleweight class and has no interest in fighting training partner Islam Makhachev, preferring instead to move up a division to challenge for the middleweight title.
UFC welterweight champ Belal Muhammad thinks his division is way tougher than the one Dricus du Plessis rules over. Bold claim, right?
In a chat with Barstool Chicago, Muhammad faced the usual question: Would he fight his training buddy Islam Makhachev? His answer? Nope, not interested. If he’s going to test himself against another champ, he’d rather move up a weight class.
“I’d prefer jumping to 185 and let Makhachev handle 170,” Muhammad shared. “I’ve already climbed the ranks at 170—beaten five top-10 guys. Just two fights away from a middleweight title shot and maybe being a double champ.”
He even went on to say that the 185 division seems easier—except for Khamzat Chimaev. “Look at UFC 312’s main event,” he said. “Strickland and du Plessis? Not impressed.”
Yet, Muhammad hasn’t defended his title yet. He was supposed to face Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 in December, but an injury sidelined him. Rakhmonov then beat Ian Machado Garry, who stepped in last minute, and now looks set for a title shot later this year.