Khabib Nurmagomedov does not want to see Islam Makhachev become two-division champion at the expense of Belal Muhammad. Makhachev wants to win UFC gold in different weight classes, but doing so now would pit Nurmagomedov’s two friends against each other.
Makhachev’s planned welterweight campaign predates Muhammad’s 170-pound title victory over Leon Edwards. The topic of Makhachev vs. Muhammad came up when Nurmagomedov caught up with fellow former UFC champions Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman.
“My heart is not well,” Nurmagomedov told “Book 4 books” podcast. “It’s going to be difficult to prepare Islam to beat Belal. He’s very close to me… For me, it’s going to be difficult to prepare someone to beat Belal.”
Nurmagomedov believes Makhachev should finish off Muhammad, a potentially undesirable outcome when watching two friends fight.
“If you want to beat Belal, I think you have to stop him,” Nurmagomedov said. “All the time, what are you going to do? OK, if you knock him down, it’s very difficult to control him for 25 minutes, first of all. Secondly, it’s very difficult to dominate with him in the game of strikes every 25 minutes because he mixes He doesn’t stay with you every 25 minutes He fights and hits, fights and hits.
A potential fight between the lightweight and welterweight champions is not on the UFC’s immediate radar. Makhachev defends UFC lightweight championship against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311 on January 18. Muhammad is set to defend his title for the first time against top contender Shavkat Rakhmonov after the fight was booked before Muhammad was forced to withdraw due to a toe infection.
More UFC news and rumors
- Makhachev isn’t the only UFC champion considering a bigger weight class. Last week, UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria expressed interest in a lightweight title eliminator against Charles Oliveira. Nurmagomedov agrees with Topuria’s approach. The retired former lightweight champion says a win over a top contender should land Topuria the 155-pound title. “I think if he goes up and beats someone like Dustin Poirier or Charles Oliveira, he’s next so why not?… If (Topuria) goes up and beats someone like Charles Oliveira? Sure. And you know what I think? I think he can beat him.
- Speaking of Oliveira and Poirier, Nurmagomedov wants to see his peers end their careers. Nurmagomedov (29-0) retired undefeated as lightweight champion. The UFC Hall of Famer rose to prominence alongside an all-star 155-pound roster. Nurmagomedov hopes his colleagues will soon join him in retirement. “I think Poirier can beat Charles, and I think Poirier needs to stop fighting. He’s done,” Nurmagomedov said. “Justin Gaethje, Khabib, Dustin Poirier, Tony Ferguson. It’s old school, bro. Stop fighting. We need to recognize the real things.”
- Nurmagomedov and Makhachev have enlisted a Mount Rushmore fighter as Makhachev prepares for his next title defense. Nurmagomedov revealed that recently retired former champion Demetrious Johnson was training with their team. It is unclear whether Johnson will be seriously involved in Makhachev’s camp or whether he will pass by. Either way, the internet has noticed this elite crossover.
