Islam Makhachev shares new mindset towards potential Belal Muhammad welterweight title fight 

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has made it clear he will pursue the welterweight title at some point to achieve double-champ status. However, with part-time teammate Belal Muhammad currently the champion at 170 pounds, Makhachev stated that he would not be looking to move to welterweight for the time being.

Ahead of his upcoming lightweight title fight against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311, the Dagestani has showcased a change in mindset towards a potential clash with friend and teammate Muhammad.

The 33-year-old was recently interviewed by popular streamer Adin Ross, who shared a fan's question about whether Makhachev still hoped to fight for a welterweight title.

He responded by saying:

"This is my dream, but we have Belal there. He's gonna defend his belt soon. But with Belal, we have the same manager, Ali [Abdelaziz]. We will sit and talk, this is my dream to be double-champ. I don't want to leave this sport before I take a second belt."

Check out Islam Makhachev's comments below (21:45):

Makhachev is known to cut a large amount of weight to make the 155-pound lightweight championship limit. Given his immense weight cuts, many fans and pundits believe he may perform even better at 170 pounds.

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Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan trade words as they prepare for UFC 311

Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan will headline UFC 311 on Jan. 18 for the lightweight title in a much anticipated clash. They will go to war in a rematch of their UFC Fight Night 149 bout in 2019, where Makhachev secured a unanimous decision win.

But Tsarukyan put up a performance worth being proud of, as he was making his UFC debut on short-notice at the age of 22. Since their first meeting, the pair have a combined record of 18-1 in the octagon.

Their rematch for the 155-pound title will kick off the promotion's pay-per-view season in style, and the pair of lightweights have recently traded words in a more heated fashion.

During the UFC's Countdown episode for January's PPV card, 'Akhalkalakets' said:

"Islam's not gonna be difficult for me because I know how I can beat him. Islam vs. Poirier, he looked so bad… If I was [fighting him] instead of Poirier, I could beat him."

In response, the lightweight champion said:

"Arman talks too much. January 18th, I will make him never talk about me again."

Check out Islam Makhachev's response to Arman Tsarukyan below: