"Bro wants all the belts" - Fans react after Ilia Topuria calls "fake" welterweight champion Belal Muhammad an "easy fight"

Ilia Topuria last competed in February when he defeated Alexander Volkanovski via second-round knockout to capture the featherweight title at UFC 298. He will make his return to the octagon next weekend against Max Holloway at UFC 308, which will also be his first title defense.

'El Matador' has been involved in an online back-and-forth with Belal Muhammad leading up to the bout and recently aimed at the welterweight champion once again. Speaking to Shakiel Mahjouri of CBS Sports, the featherweight champion claimed:

"Maybe after this one, it could be to move up to the lightweight division and if we still have that fake champion in the welterweight division, Belal, that's an easy one for me, and what else? It's Max Holloway, the lightweight title, and the welterweight title. That would be great... He wants to go to decision with me, also."

Check out Ilia Topuria's comments on Belal Muhammad below:

Fans reacted to Topuria's comments on pursuing two additional titles, with @lewiscollinsMMA noting that he has lofty expectations:

"Bro wants all the belts"

@pawellwitt believes that overlooking Holloway could be a mistake while calling out fighters looking for quick opportunities at a second belt:

"Looking past Max might not end well. Also, what’s up with fighters who never defended their belt talking about second division. Maybe Dana should make a rule that you need to defend 5 times before getting title fight in different weight class"

@kabamity claimed Topuria is not active enough to accomplish his goals:

"I would take him seriously if he didn’t fight once every eight months."

@TheCSMatrixer suggested that the featherweight champion is attempting to emulate Conor McGregor's career:

"Ilia is following the Conor playbook. Conor when he was the FW champ moved up to WW to fight Nate in a grudge match. Ilia not only stole McGregor’s tattoos and persona, he’s also taking the same career path as Conor. The difference is, if Ilia is successful he will surpass Conor"

Check out the best fan reactions to Ilia Topuria's claims below:

Fan reactions

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Ilia Topuria hoping for lightweight move after UFC 308

Ilia Topuria will look to defend his featherweight title for the first time when he faces Max Holloway at UFC 308 next weekend. He recently expressed interest in chasing a second title after the bout. Speaking to Ariel Helwani, 'El Matador' was asked how many fights he needed to chase a second belt. Topuria responded:

"How many fights? I can do it after this one. After this one. I want to do it. I want to do it. I want to do it, but the thing is what the UFC wants me to do. Because at the end of the day, I'm a fighter and that's my job. And they know better than me who I should fight. So, if they tell me that they are okay that I'm going to move to 155, I will do it. Because I want to do it."

Check out Ilia Topuria's comments on chasing double champ status below (22:39):

Topuria added that the weight cut was easier in his only career bout at lightweight. 'El Matador' defeated Jai Herbert via second-round knockout at UFC Fight Night 204 in March 2022. It is unclear if the UFC would allow the featherweight champion to challenge Islam Makhachev for double champ status after just one title defense.