It started off with the announcement of Jack Della Maddalena versus Belal Muhammad for the welterweight title at UFC 315. A classic clash of styles. But just beneath the surface, a storm was brewing. And leading that charge from the sidelines? None other than Craig Jones, the two-time ADCC silver medalist and the head of ‘B Team Jiu-Jitsu’!
But Jones isn’t just working on arm triangles and heel hooks this time. He’s stirring the pot. With dry humor and an endless vault of pop culture references, he’s taking aim at Belal Muhammad. And when the welterweight champion threw a jab referencing Khabib Nurmagomedov’s infamous UFC 229 leap, Jones didn’t flinch. He fired back and dragged the legend right back into the heat.
Craig Jones claps back at Belal Muhammad as Khabib Nurmagomedov gets caught in the crossfire
The verbal skirmish kicked off due to a social media post where Craig Jones was drilling with Jack Della Maddalena and captioned it, “On a mission from God to save the welterweight division from Belal Muhammad.” Classic pre-fight antics from a man who once claimed that, “Sambo is a myth” when he was in Alexander Volkanovski’s camp for the Islam Makahchev rematch.
However, the Aussie grappling wizard wasn’t done just yet. In another post, Jones shared a video of Muhammad’s face on a punching machine while he egged on Della Maddalena to unleash hellfire on his upcoming opponent’s face. The champion’s response?
He fired back by stating, “I’m gonna do you like Khabib did Danis after the fight.” That line, of course, was a throwback to the madness of UFC 229 when Nurmagomedov went airborne, leaping over the cage to teach Dillon Danis a lesson.
But Craig Jones? He wasn’t impressed. The B-Team head coach volleyed back with a line that cut deep as he recently shared on his Instagram story, “Man’s going to jump the fence and decision me.”
With just a few words, Jones flipped the script, mocking Belal Muhammad’s smothering, grind-heavy fight style that fans have often criticized for lacking flair and excitement.
The verbal spat might just be the appetizer. Come UFC 315, it’ll be Della Maddalena and Muhammad settling things inside the Octagon. But the heat outside the cage? That’s all Jones. And he’s made one thing clear: he’s not afraid of the spotlight, the smoke, or the shadows of MMA royalty.
Yet, even as ‘Remember the Name’ finds himself catching jabs from his opponent’s coach, there’s one man who’s been steadfastly at his side, and Muhammad recently revealed what it means for him to earn ‘The Eagle’s approval!
Muhammad earns the “highest honor” from Nurmagomedov
Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn’t hand out compliments like candy. But when he speaks of Belal Muhammad, there’s something different in his voice. In an interview with Adam Zubayraev, the former lightweight king confessed, “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.”
While critics mock his lack of finishes—just three in his entire UFC career—his weapon has always been his will. Not flashy. Not lethal. Just relentless. Like a tide that never stops rising.
As such, speaking to MMA Fighting, the welterweight champion confessed, “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.”
That admiration runs both ways. Khabib Nurmagomedov has taken Muhammad under his wing, just as he did with Islam Makhachev. The bond is strong. So strong, in fact, that whispers of Makhachev possibly moving to 170 have stirred unease as ‘Remember the Name’ has made it clear, he won’t fight the Dagestani lightweight champion if he moves up.
Muhammad continued by stating, “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.”
And that’s the beauty of this brewing storm that’ll land at UFC 315. On one side, you have Craig Jones—the jester in the chaos, poking at the champ with memes and mockery, fanning flames with every post. On the other hand, there’s Belal Muhammad, the quiet juggernaut backed by none other than Khabib Nurmagomedov,
Do you think Belal Muhammad will be able to continue his reign with ‘The Eagle’ in his corner? Or will Jack Della Maddalena and Craig Jones come up with a game plan to take over his throne at UFC 315? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
The post Craig Jones Hits Back With a Scathing Mockery of Belal Muhammad as Khabib Gets Dragged Into Controversy appeared first on EssentiallySports.
