Off the again of UFC 311, Islam Makhachev has been urged to place his friendship apart and battle Belal Muhammad sooner or later by Kamaru Usman, who claims the Russian would probably “whip” the present welterweight kingpin.
Makhachev, the present undisputed light-weight champion, racked up his fourth consecutive profitable title protection at UFC 311 over the weekend, making lightwork of short-notice foe, Renato Moicano.
Going through the surging Brazilian on only a day’s discover after a pairing with Arman Tsarukyan fell to the wayside, pound-for-pound primary, Makhachev wrapped up a dominant D’Arce choke submission win over the streaking Brasilia native to retain his crown.
And receiving a number of name outs from the likes of each unbeaten featherweight kingpin, Ilia Topuria — in addition to former champion and prior foe, Charles Oliveira, Islam Makhachev has been as soon as extra linked with an eventual welterweight rise in pursuit of a second Octagon crown.
Kamaru Usman urges Islam Makhachev to battle Belal Muhammad subsequent
So far as Auchi native and former welterweight champion, Usman is worried, Makhachev ought to strike whereas the iron is scorching and battle Muhammad — placing prior coaching allegiances apart.
“This whole notion of Belal (Muhammad) training with them [Islam Makhachev’s team], ‘I don’t wanna [fight him] —‘ Bro, no,” Kamaru Usman stated on his Pound 4 Pound podcast. “I’m going up and I’m whooping him, I don’t care. Simply because he comes into our camp and simply tries to make use of our our bodies and be taught our type.
“I’m moving up, I’m whooping him, I’m taking that belt,” Usman defined.
Usman’s feedback have already garnered a response from Muhammad — who claimed the previous pound-for-pound primary ought to convey an finish to his three-fight dropping run earlier than he begins talking about him.
“Stop speaking my name until you finally end your losing streak … or you change the podcast name to “loss after loss”,” Belal Muhammad tweeted.
Cease talking my identify till you lastly finish your dropping streak … otherwise you change the podcast identify to “loss after loss”
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) January 20, 2025
