UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Belal Muhammad is the best at one specific aspect of MMA.
UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad hasn’t made a title defense yet, but even so, Khabib Nurmagomedov believes he’s the best in MMA in one facet.
Muhammad will face the UFC-unbeaten Jack Della Maddalena in the UFC 315 main event next month in Montreal. He returns to the Octagon for the first time as a UFC champion, after outpointing Leon Edwards for the belt last July.
Muhammad was overlooked by most fans, pundits, and fellow fighters as he made his ascent up the welterweight ladder. But Nurmagomedov saw his potential right away when Muhammad joined his team ahead of UFC 304.
Khabib Nurmagomedov highlights Belal Muhammad’s attribute as the best in UFC
Since his fighting retirement in 2020, Nurmagomedov has mentored some of the best fighters in the world, including UFC pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev and PFL titleholder Usman Nurmagomedov. But according to Nurmagomedov, Muhammad stands far above the rest of his team and the sport in general in one specific way.
During a recent interview with Adam Zubayraev, Nurmagomedov blanketed Muhammad with immense praise ahead of his first title defense.
“I believe it will be very hard to beat Belal,” Nurmagomedov said of Muhammad. “If Maddalena or Shavkat (Rakhmonov) don’t finish him early, Belal is just going to keep pressing. His endurance is really good. In fact, I think it’s the most underrated aspect in MMA today.
“Belal’s cardio is the best in this division for sure, and maybe even in all of UFC.” (h/t MMA Junkie)
Muhammad showcased his cardio in his recent title win over Edwards, outpacing the then-UFC welterweight titleholder in all facets of the fight. Despite a late threat from Edwards, Muhammad had enough energy in the closing minutes to withstand his foe’s barrage.
Nurmagomedov’s comments are striking, given Makhachev’s standing as the UFC’s pound-for-pound best fighter. But for Nurmagomedov, his longtime friend and protege Makhachev doesn’t compare to Muhammad when it comes to conditioning and stamina.
Khabib Nurmagomedov isn’t a fan of Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria
Nurmagomedov has played a pivotal role in Makhachev’s ascent to the top of MMA, but isn’t a fan of Makhachev facing Ilia Topuria for his next title defense. Topuria opted to make the move up from featherweight after knocking out Max Holloway at UFC 308.
After vacating the featherweight belt, Topuria was under the assumption he’d get an immediate title shot at lightweight for his return. But while the UFC appears on board with the matchup, Nurmagomedov and Makhachev aren’t sold on granting Topuria the next shot at the belt.
Nurmagomedov believes Arman Tsarukyan, and not Topuria, presents the ‘most competitive’ challenge to Makhachev’s title reign. Tsarukyan and Makhachev battled earlier in their UFC careers, with Makhachev earning a decision victory.
