Belal Muhammad may not be the most beloved fighter on the UFC roster, but Khabib Nurmagomedov and his team have nothing but praise for the Palestinian-American. Apart from considering the 170lbs kingpin their brother, ‘Team Khabib’ has even gone on to call his “gas tank” the best in the promotion. In an interview with Adam Zubayraev last week, ‘The Eagle’ remarked, “I believe it will be very hard to beat Belal. His endurance is exceptional. In fact, I think it’s one of the most underrated aspects of MMA today. Belal’s cardio is the best in this division, and maybe even in all of the UFC.”
This is a bold assertion, especially considering other endurance experts like Merab Dvalishvili, Max Holloway, Alexander Volkanovski, and Colby Covington, often regarded as top contenders. While he’s more known for his decision victories than finishes, boasting only three finishes in his UFC career, which has often made him a target for criticism, his relentless pace has proven to be his greatest weapon. Now, he stands at the helm of the welterweight division and will defend his title next month at UFC 315 against Jack Della Maddalena, marking the UFC’s long-awaited return to Montreal after a decade-long hiatus.
In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Muhammad reflected on the immense respect he’s earned from Khabib Nurmagomedov. “It’s the highest honor to earn respect from him. For him to say that I have the best cardio and to hype me up like that means so much. I’ve always looked up to him—I want to emulate his style, his approach to fighting, and the way he carries himself as a champion. It really means the world to me,” the Palestinian export shared.
Belal Muhammad Appreciated Khabib For His Words:
“It’s like the highest honour to get respect from him. For him to say that I have the best cardio and to hype me up like that, it means real.
I look up to him, and I wanna emulate him and his style, and the way he fights and… pic.twitter.com/z2LN8aH4Fr
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) April 25, 2025
Moreover, Nurmagomedov has developed a strong bond with Muhammad, one that mirrors his relationship with Islam Makhachev. Last year, ‘Remember The Name’ made the journey to Dagestan to train alongside Khabib and his team ahead of his title bout vs. Leon Edwards, where they not only trained together but also shared meals and prayers. Under ‘The Eagle’s mentorship, the American has grown significantly, with both men frequently attending each other’s fight camps. Now, with the possibility of Makhachev moving to the welterweight division, Khabib finds himself in a difficult position, as he doesn’t want his two mentees to face off.
As a coach, ‘The Eagle’ is resolute in his belief that such a fight is not in the spirit of their relationship, and out of respect for him, Muhammad has considered moving to the middleweight division to avoid this scenario. This situation underscores the profound sense of camaraderie within the UFC’s “Muslim Brotherhood”—a connection that transcends training and competition.
Khabib Nurmagomedov discussed Islam Makhachev’s future if Belal Muhammad’s reign ends at UFC 315
“My heart–my heart is not OK. It would be hard to prepare Islam to beat Belal,” Khabib Nurmagomedov admitted last year when asked about a potential clash between his two closest allies, Islam Makhachev and Belal Muhammad. The former lightweight champion made it clear he had no interest in pitting his brothers against each other, emphasizing that their bond runs deeper than any title or competition.
Now, as Muhammad prepares to face Jack Della Maddalena on May 10 for the welterweight title, the stakes are higher than ever. The outcome of this bout could shape the future path of Islam Makhachev, currently reigning over the lightweight division with four successful title defenses and a dominant 15-fight win streak. Makhachev has long expressed interest in moving up to 170 pounds to pursue a second belt, but the American’s presence in the division presents a major roadblock, both professionally and personally.
Speaking with Adam Zubayraev ahead of UFC 315, Khabib Nurmagomedov shed light on the internal conflict: “Islam wants to move up to 170, but we can’t fight there because Belal is there. He’s a close friend to us. That’s why we can’t put relationships above titles. That’s just not how we do things. We look at it a little differently. If Maddalena were the champion, Islam would’ve already fought him. But as I understand it, the UFC is waiting for the May event where Belal and Maddalena will fight. Personally, I want Belal to win. I sincerely hope he does. But if Maddalena wins, I think the UFC could offer Islam a fight with Maddalena at 170.”
What are your thoughts on Khabib Nurmagomedov’s emotional take? And when it comes to cardio, does anyone in the UFC outlast Belal Muhammad? Share your opinions in the comments below!
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