UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad by no means backs down from a problem however he’s not going to significantly entertain a possible struggle towards any individual competing two weight courses beneath him.
Only recently, Muhammad acquired drawn right into a confrontation with Ilia Topuria after he warned the UFC featherweight champion to look at what he says when addressing Islam Makhachev after declaring plans to finally problem for the 155-pound title. The remark led to a back-and-forth trade over social media with Topuria taking one extra step when he mentioned he needs to finally turn out to be the UFC’s first ever three-division champion, which might then require him to go for Muhammad’s belt.
Whereas Muhammad admits he had some enjoyable buying and selling verbal jabs with Topuria, he’s not even remotely involved that this problem truly deserves his consideration.
“I feel that dude’s acquired Napoleon syndrome or one thing,” Muhammad instructed MMA Preventing. “Quick guys all the time act like they’re powerful. Actually I feel he began coming at me as a result of any individual requested me about why is he coming at Islam [Makhachev]. I mentioned bro, he must deal with [Max] Holloway, who’s in entrance of him and also you don’t wish to disrespect the fellows from Dagestan as a result of they see you in particular person, they’re going to slap you. They don’t take that stuff. They don’t play the trash discuss recreation. It’s actual life to them.
“I feel he took offense to it. He’s at that mode the place I feel he’s looking for himself and he’s attempting to point out followers that he’s trash talker and he’s this dangerous man. He’s not likely good at trash speaking. When he comes at me, it’s laughable as a result of he’s mainly copying phrases off memes.”
So far as his aspirations about successful titles throughout a number of divisions, Topuria first has to get by means of his upcoming struggle towards Max Holloway at UFC 308 as he defends his featherweight belt for the primary time.
Regardless if he wins, Muhammad says it’s nonetheless a far cry from truly leaping up one division and difficult a dominant champion like Islam Makhachev earlier than packing on no less than 25 kilos to try the transfer to welterweight.
In different phrases, Muhammad isn’t taking that problem critically.
“On the finish of the day, we’re not going to struggle within the cage so why are you even giving me these phrases, you’re attempting to speak powerful as a result of you understand nothing’s actually going to come back of it,” Muhammad mentioned. “He can say ‘I wish to go as much as 170 and be a triple champ after this’ however you understand you’re not.
“I don’t even suppose he’s going to get previous Holloway. I feel he’s going to lose this struggle after which we don’t even have to listen to his freaking mouse voice.”
Relating to Topuria’s struggle on Saturday, Muhammad completely plans on rooting for Holloway to win however that’s not even a scenario the place he’s simply hoping to see the featherweight title change arms.
Muhammad completely expects it to occur.
“I’m rooting for Max however I feel talent clever, Max will beat him,” Muhammad mentioned. “I feel [Topuria] goes on the market and pushes these guys ahead and a number of the fellows he fought had been shorter. Max is a taller boxer. He hasn’t fought any individual like him. We all know how good Max’s chin is. I feel that he’s going to appreciate when it will get to the third, fourth and fifth spherical that Max continues to be there, nonetheless in entrance of him.
“We noticed him get just a little bit drained within the [Josh] Emmett struggle. I feel it’s going to worsen on this struggle as a result of Max is excessive quantity. He confirmed final struggle, he’s engaged on his energy. I feel Max will put his lights out.”
