Present light-weight champion, Islam Makhachev’s plans for a future welterweight title cost have simply obtained a large enhance, with present titleholder, Belal Muhammad revealing he would vacate his strap to be able to enable the Russian to freely compete for it.
Makhachev, the present undisputed light-weight champion and pound-for-pound primary fighter on the promotion’s books, has been linked with an imminent return to motion as quickly as April — in a possible UFC 314 return towards present featherweight kingpin, Ilia Topuria in a large tremendous struggle with the unbeaten finisher.
And most not too long ago headlining UFC 311 again in January, Makhachev took on short-notice foe, Renato Moicano on only a single day’s discover, efficiently retaining his belt in a dominant first spherical D’Arce choke submission win over the Brasilia fan-favorite.
Belal Muhammad presents to vacate title to permit Islam Makhachev to compete for it
Within the time since, in addition to lofty ambitions to raise not simply two titles — however three, in reality, Makhachev has been linked to an eventual transfer to the welterweight division, made harder by his friendship with coaching companion, Muhammad.
Nevertheless, this week, forward of his personal anticipated return towards the undefeated, Shavkat Rakhmonov, incumbent 170lbs gold holder, Muhammad has revealed he would vacate his crown in a heartbeat reasonably than struggle Islam Makhachev.
“I would never fight Islam Makhachev because that’s different for me and him,” Belal Muhammad stated in an interview with Barstool Sports activities Chicago. “We’ve skilled collectively, and while you’re sweating with anyone, and also you’re bleeding with anyone, and also you practice with anyone like that, it’s only a totally different relationship. It wouldn’t be concerning the cash for me or for him, I’d assume.
“I would never want to do that, and they’ve helped me so much,” Muhammad defined. So for me, I’d reasonably go as much as 185 kilos and let him simply take 170 if that’s the case. Since I’ve already needed to struggle my method as much as 170, and I’ve overwhelmed 5 of the highest 10 guys, like I’m two fights away from with the ability to problem at 185 and saying, ‘Yeah I want to be double champ.’”
