Belal Muhammad criticized Kamaru Usman for hypocrisy in suggesting Islam Makhachev pursue the UFC welterweight title despite Usman’s past reluctance to fight friends like Israel Adesanya, while also accusing Usman of being a “coward champion” who avoided tough challenges and is now more focused on podcasting than competing.
Belal Muhammad couldn’t help but chuckle at Kamaru Usman’s irony when he urged Islam Makhachev to chase the UFC welterweight title. It’s no secret that Muhammad has trained extensively with Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov, his head coach.
Despite Makhachev’s earlier interest in a second UFC championship, he’s since admitted he wouldn’t move up to welterweight if Muhammad held the title. Yet, Usman urged Makhachev to set friendships aside for the belt.
Muhammad quickly pointed out Usman’s hypocrisy, reminding everyone how Usman avoided similar scenarios with Israel Adesanya. “They never trained together, but he said ‘I would never fight Israel,’” Muhammad told MMA Fighting.
Usman had also claimed he’d never fight Khabib. “Bro, you never trained with them,” Muhammad retorted. He found Usman’s advice laughable since Makhachev isn’t interested in that fight either.
Deep down, Muhammad thinks Usman is projecting his jealousy over losing the championship. “If they’re calling me out, it’s a different story,” Muhammad said of Makhachev, feeling targeted by those who doubt his legitimacy as a champion.
Muhammad didn’t hold back: “I dominated the guy who beat you twice, Usman.” Leon Edwards knocked Usman out cold, but Muhammad defeated Edwards effortlessly. The rivalry between Muhammad and Usman has spilled into interviews and social media.
At one point, Muhammad appeared on Usman’s podcast. The interaction was so toxic it never aired. Muhammad believes Usman’s jabs are projections of insecurity as his relevance fades.
The reigning champion criticizes Usman for defending his title five times but only facing three opponents due to rematches. “He was a coward champion,” Muhammad said, accusing Usman of avoiding tough tests.
Lately, it seems Usman’s more comfortable taking shots from the sidelines than stepping into the octagon again. He’s currently on a three-fight losing streak; his last win was in 2021.
Muhammad didn’t mince words: “This guy’s a podcaster now.” He criticized Usman for not wanting to fight tough contenders to reclaim his name in the division. “You lost,” he said bluntly about Usman’s streak.
For all their bad blood, Muhammad doesn’t see himself fighting Usman anytime soon. He doesn’t view him as a viable challenger while he remains inactive.
As Leon Edwards gears up for Jack Della Maddalena and rising stars like Joaquin Buckley gain momentum, Usman’s focus is elsewhere. “For Usman, you just got called out by [Joaquin] Buckley,” Muhammad noted.
With contenders hungry for a shot, Muhammad suggests Usman should either defend his ranking or step aside. “He just wants to be a podcaster,” Muhammad concluded, likening him to Conor McGregor‘s headline-grabbing antics without action.