Islam Makhachev isn’t satisfied with his UFC lightweight championship and has talked about moving up. However, top welterweight contender Belal Muhammad didn’t believe that was a good idea and suggested a different one. Nonetheless, the plan didn’t sit well with the current middleweight champion, Dricus Du Plessis.
In a recent interview, Belal Muhammad refused to potentially fight Islam Makhachev for the welterweight title in the future. According to the fighter, Makhachev could fight for the middleweight title and get his hands on the double champion status. Du Plessis didn’t like Muhammad’s comments and blasted the welterweight title challenger on X.
O now I see why the world thinks a loser, last fan checking out.
Dricus Du Plessis via Instagram commentÂ
Muhammad and Makhachev are training partners and have trained under Khabib Nurmagomedov several times. This might be the reason behind the Palestinian fighter’s lack of motivation for the fight. However, before then, he must win the belt from reigning welterweight king Leon Edwards.Â
Dricus du Plessis reacts to Belal Muhammad saying that Islam Makhachev could go up to middleweight and beat him:
“O now I see why the world thinks [Belal’s] a loser, last fan checking out.”#UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/S0inkWVDYT
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 13, 2024
On the other hand, Dricus Du Plessis is expected to defend his belt against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305. It will be his first-ever title defense since winning it from Sean Strickland at UFC 297. However, it seems like Muhammad was true to his words and believed Makhachev could beat the South African champion.Â
Belal Muhammad and Dricus Du Plessis are currently training for their upcoming title fights, respectively. However, it didn’t stop them from roasting each other all out through online jibes. What started as a casual comment has now become a full-blown beef between Muhammad and Du Plessis. After hearing about Du Plessis’s comment, Muhammad ranted about the champion.Â
Belal Muhammad talks about dominating Dricus Du Plessis in a potential fight (via X)
Muhammad established that Du Plessis lacks skills by being quite blunt in his remarks. Muhammad says he can defeat Du Plessis, and Islam Makhachev can do the same.
I was trying to be nice about it but honestly Du Plessis sucks… skill for skill I would dominate du Plessis. I don’t think he’s that good. I do think Islam would dominate him and out-grapple him.
Belal Muhammad via Remember The Show PodcastÂ
Belal Muhammad GOES OFF on Dricus du Plessis 😳
“I was trying to be nice about it but honestly du Plessis sucks… skill for skill I would dominate du Plessis. I don’t think he’s that good.
I do think Islam [Makhachev] would dominate him and out-grapple him.”
🎥… pic.twitter.com/i9JvtLRdQc
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 14, 2024
It won’t be shocking to witness Muhammad and Du Plessis fighting in the future, given their growing animosity towards one another. It could happen if Muhammad gets his hands on the title and moves up. Currently, it’s too far-fetched of a discussion, and the matchup only materializes if both remain champions for a long time.Â
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