UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad recently shared his thoughts on the competitiveness of his division compared to the Middleweight class, currently led by Dricus du Plessis. In an in-depth interview with Barstool Chicago, Muhammad expressed confidence in the difficulty of competing in the welterweight division, stating that it presents greater challenges than the middleweight class.
Muhammad, who claimed the welterweight title in 2024, has fought through a gauntlet of top-ranked opponents, securing his place at the top of one of the UFC’s most competitive divisions. Meanwhile, he remains critical of the middleweight landscape, suggesting that outside of a few elite fighters, the competition at 185 pounds lacks the same level of depth as his current division.
Considering a Move to Middleweight
During the interview, Muhammad was once again asked about a potential fight with his training partner, UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev. This has been a recurring question in many of his interviews since he captured the welterweight title. Muhammad once again shut down any possibility of facing Makhachev, reiterating that he has no interest in fighting a close friend and teammate. Instead, if he were to challenge himself in a different weight class, he would prefer to move up rather than move down.
“For me, I’d rather go to 185 and let [Makhachev] just take 170,” Muhammad stated. “Since I’ve already had to fight my way up to 170—I’ve beaten five top-10 guys—I’m two fights away from being able to challenge for [the middleweight title] and saying, ‘Hey, I want to be double champ.’”
Muhammad’s remarks suggest he is confident in his ability to become a two-division champion, a feat that few fighters in UFC history have achieved. If he were to move up and contend for the 185-pound belt, he would join the ranks of historic champions such as Georges St-Pierre, Conor McGregor, and Daniel Cormier, who have held titles in multiple weight classes.
Critique of Middleweight Contenders
In the same interview, Muhammad did not hold back in his assessment of the top contenders in the UFC Middleweight division. He specifically took aim at the upcoming UFC 312 main event between Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis, dismissing their skill levels with a blunt statement.
“When you look at that [UFC 312] main event, you’re like, ‘Bro, Strickland and du Plessis suck,’” Muhammad said. His comments suggest he sees major weaknesses in the division’s top fighters, leading him to believe that a move to 185 pounds could be an easier path to a second championship.
Muhammad’s criticism may not sit well with the current middleweight contenders, especially given du Plessis’ recent title win. However, it is not uncommon for UFC fighters to express strong opinions about different divisions, particularly when considering a move up in weight.
Upcoming Title Defense and Previous Injury
While Muhammad has expressed interest in moving up to middleweight, he has yet to make his first title defense at welterweight. He was originally scheduled to face undefeated contender Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 in December 2024, a fight that was highly anticipated by MMA fans. However, a serious bone infection in his foot forced him to withdraw from the bout.
Following Muhammad’s withdrawal, Rakhmonov went on to face short-notice replacement Ian Machado Garry. Rakhmonov secured a dominant victory, further solidifying his status as a top contender. As a result, the UFC is now expected to rebook Muhammad vs. Rakhmonov for later in 2025, setting up a high-stakes title fight in the welterweight division.
Despite his injury setback, Muhammad remains confident in his abilities and his place at the top of the division. He has indicated that once fully recovered, he is ready to defend his belt against the division’s top contenders before potentially making a move to middleweight.
Islam Makhachev’s Perspective on a Possible Move
Islam Makhachev, the reigning UFC Lightweight Champion, has also expressed interest in capturing a second title. While Muhammad has dismissed any possibility of fighting Makhachev at welterweight, the lightweight champion has hinted at his own plans to move up. However, instead of welterweight, Makhachev has his sights set on the middleweight division.
Following his most recent title defense at UFC 311, Makhachev publicly stated his interest in facing the current middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis. He believes he could compete successfully at 185 pounds and has even called out du Plessis for a potential fight.
“Just give me the chance; I will fight with [Dricus] du Plessis,” Makhachev said, making it clear that he is open to moving up two weight classes for a historic challenge.
Makhachev’s interest in middleweight adds another intriguing layer to the potential shake-ups in multiple UFC divisions. If both Muhammad and Makhachev pursue the 185-pound title, it could lead to major shifts in the competitive landscape of both the welterweight and middleweight divisions.
The Future of Muhammad’s Career
With his first title defense looming, Muhammad is focused on cementing his legacy as the welterweight champion. However, his comments about moving up to middleweight suggest he is already looking ahead to his next big challenge. If he successfully defends his title against Rakhmonov, the UFC may entertain the idea of a champion-versus-champion fight at 185 pounds.
As for Islam Makhachev, his aspirations to compete at middleweight add another layer of intrigue to the situation. If both fighters end up moving to 185, it will be interesting to see how the UFC navigates potential matchups and whether either of them will have an opportunity to compete for the title.
For now, UFC fans can look forward to Muhammad’s return to the octagon, his highly anticipated clash with Rakhmonov, and the potential shake-ups in multiple divisions. Whether he stays at welterweight or makes the leap to middleweight, Muhammad’s career remains one of the most fascinating stories in the sport today.
The information is collected from ESPN and Yahoo.
