UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad by no means backs down from a problem however he’s not going to significantly entertain a possible combat towards any individual competing two weight courses under him.
Only in the near past, Muhammad received drawn right into a disagreement with Ilia Topuria after he warned the UFC featherweight champion to look at what he says when addressing Islam Makhachev after declaring plans to ultimately problem for the 155-pound title. The remark led to a back-and-forth change over social media with Topuria taking one extra step when he mentioned he desires to ultimately become 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 really deserves his consideration.
“I believe that dude’s received Napoleon syndrome or one thing,” Muhammad informed MMA Combating. “Brief guys at all times act like they’re robust. Actually I believe 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 concentrate on [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 speak sport. It’s actual life to them.
“I believe he took offense to it. He’s at that mode the place I believe he’s looking for himself and he’s making an attempt to point out followers that he’s trash talker and he’s this unhealthy man. He’s probably not good at trash speaking. When he comes at me, it’s laughable as a result of he’s principally copying phrases off memes.”
So far as his aspirations about successful titles throughout a number of divisions, Topuria first has to get by way of his upcoming combat 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 really leaping up one division and difficult a dominant champion like Islam Makhachev earlier than packing on a minimum of 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 combat within the cage so why are you even giving me these phrases, you’re making an attempt to speak robust as a result of you already know 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 already know you’re not.
“I don’t even assume he’s going to get previous Holloway. I believe he’s going to lose this combat after which we don’t even have to listen to his freaking mouse voice.”
In the case of Topuria’s combat on Saturday, Muhammad completely plans on rooting for Holloway to win however that’s not even a state of affairs 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 believe talent clever, Max will beat him,” Muhammad mentioned. “I believe [Topuria] goes on the market and pushes these guys ahead and a variety 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 believe that he’s going to comprehend when it will get to the third, fourth and fifth spherical that Max remains to be there, nonetheless in entrance of him.
“We noticed him get slightly bit drained within the [Josh] Emmett combat. I believe it’s going to worsen on this combat as a result of Max is excessive quantity. He confirmed final combat, he’s engaged on his energy. I believe Max will put his lights out.”
