“Belal needs better friends” - MMA X reacts as Islam Makhachev doubles down on welterweight dreams despite friendship with champion 

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev recently sat down with Daniel Cormier to discuss a few things in his career, particularly the near future of his fighting career. As it turns out, the Dagestani world champion plans to move up in weight and conquer the UFC welterweight division - ruled by his friend Belal Muhammad.

This is quite the revelation as Muhammad himself went on record to say that he won't fight Makhachev. Still, the UFC lightweight king has no qualms about visiting his division and snatching the belt there - regardless of who's holding it.

Makhachev, who rematches Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311 early next year, said:

"I'm looking behind Arman [Tsarukyan]. If I beat him, I don't know. I'm tired [of] giving somebody [a] rematch, you know? I need a second belt [below] there. We'll see. A lot of good fighters."

Although the champ hasn't explicitly said he's after Muhammad's belt, fans are assuming Makhachev meant moving up to welterweight when he said "second belt." This assumption may have been due to the champion having difficulties making 155 pounds - let alone 145.

Fans are reacting to this statement, with @chiknmonkeemtfk saying:

"Belal [Muhammad] needs better friends"

Meanwhile, @thuggerxo said:

"@bullyb170 your boy wants your belt homie🤣"

Check out some more fan reactions below:

More comments on the video. [Screenshots courtesy: @Home_of_Fight on X]

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When Belal Muhammad said he won't fight Islam Makhachev

Back in June, UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad went on MMA Fighting and discussed his relationship with Islam Makhachev. Since they were training partners in the past and share the same faith, 'Remember the Name' insists that he'll never lock horns with the lightweight champion.

When asked if he'll ever be across the octagon from Makhachev, Muhammad said:

“I would never fight him, 100 percent.”

However, Muhammad suggested a different route for his friend, saying:

“But honestly, he could go up to 185 and beat [Dricus] du Plessis right now. I think he’s that good, really. I think he could go up there and be that two-division champ. Skip over 170 for a little bit, let me beat a couple of these younger guys, and then I’ll go up to 185.”

No champion has ever moved up two weight classes to win a second belt in the UFC. If anyone can do it, according to Muhammad, it's Makhachev.

Check out Belal Muhammad's comments below: