UFC welterweight contenders Kevin Holland and Belal Muhammad received right into a social media spat forward of UFC 316.
Kevin Holland is days away from his Octagon return at UFC 316 in opposition to Vicente Luque in an intriguing welterweight matchup. Regardless of being days away from the occasion, Holland stoked the flames of a brand new beef with a former welterweight champion.
Belal Muhammad misplaced to Jack Della Maddalena, Holland’s former rival, at UFC 315 final month. The defeat ended Muhammad’s prolonged win streak and introduced his welterweight title reign to an abrupt finish.
After Muhammad’s loss, many round MMA have defended and blasted the previous welterweight titleholder on social media. UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis trolled Muhammad on X simply minutes after his loss.
Kevin Holland goes off on ‘clown’ Belal Muhammad in social media spat
Throughout his UFC 316 media day press conference, Holland was requested about Muhammad’s title loss at UFC 315.
“Du Plessis is a greater champ to look at than Belal,” Holland started. “So it was fairly cool to see Belal lose the belt.
“I believed Belal was going to lose the belt, regardless [of Maddalena]. I mentioned a very long time in the past when Islam was educating him to carry the belt, if it was somebody to take the belt from him, it could be Islam.”
Muhammad, who’s weeks faraway from his UFC welterweight title loss to Maddalena, didn’t take kindly to Holland’s media day swipes.
“It’s at all times those that’ll by no means contact gold which have essentially the most to say. Doesn’t this bum lose each different struggle he’s in?” Muhammad replied on X.
After Holland noticed Muhammad’s tweet, he took to his Instagram to ask his followers a direct query.
“For those who haven’t defended the belt, did you actually get a f—– belt?” Holland responded.
Muhammad didn’t take lengthy to reply.
“For those who struggle each month and lose each month are you essentially the most energetic fighter or essentially the most energetic loser?” Muhammad mentioned.
Holland received the final phrase in as a response on X.
“You’re solely pretty much as good as your final struggle!! [LAUGHS],” Holland posted. “However nah good one simply wished you’ll of did higher with these canelo arms [CLOWN].”
If Holland places on a standout efficiency this weekend in opposition to Luque, a matchup with Muhammad may doubtlessly be across the nook. However Muhammad has recently been linked to a showdown with Shavkat Rakhmonov later this yr as he seems to be to earn one other title shot.
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Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev focused for later this yr
Maddalena’s first UFC welterweight title defense will seemingly happen in opposition to a division newcomer. UFC light-weight champion Islam Makhachev will vacate his belt at UFC 317 later this month, with a return at welterweight seemingly for later this yr.
Maddalena and Makhachev may doubtlessly be on a collision course because the pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter pursues a second world title. Makhachev hasn’t fought since defeating Renato Moicano earlier this yr at UFC 311.
The Maddalena vs. Makhachev conflict may doubtlessly happen in both Australia or Abu Dhabi later this yr. Makhachev’s team isn’t thrilled with the idea of dealing with Maddalena in Australia, regardless of the welterweight champ’s insistence.
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