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From one champ to another: Khabib Nurmagomedov commends Belal Muhammad’s journey

From one champ to another: Khabib Nurmagomedov commends Belal Muhammad’s journey

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Apr 18, 2025, 19:07 IST

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UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov lauded Belal Muhammad's exceptional cardio, suggesting it's unmatched in the UFC. Nurmagomedov highlighted Muhammad's endurance as a key factor in his success, especially in the welterweight division. He also dismissed a potential fight between Islam Makhachev and Muhammad due to their close friendship.

From one champ to another: Khabib Nurmagomedov commends Belal Muhammad’s journey (Image Source: Getty Images)

Key highlights

Khabib Nurmagomedov appreciated Belal Muhammad's exceptional cardio abilities, suggesting he is the best in the UFC.
His praise accompanies Muhammad's impressive 11-fight unbeaten streak in the welterweight division.
A potential fight between Muhammad and Khabib's protégé Islam Makhachev is unlikely due to their friendship.

UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov praised Belal Muhammad's exceptional cardio at the top of the UFC promotion when he said it could be the best in the entire organisation. During his interview with Adam Zubayraev, Khabib Nurmagomedov praised Belal Muhammad for his abilities that he believes make him the best in the entire UFC promotion. Khabib Nurmagomedov holds the opinion that Belal Muhammad's excellent endurance sets him apart from other fighters in the welterweight division because he has trained with him previously.

Nurmagomedov believes Muhammad's cardio sets him apart

The undefeated former champion's assessment carries significant weight in the MMA community, with Muhammad currently riding an impressive 11-fight unbeaten streak. This run includes notable victories over former champion Leon Edwards, Gilbert Burns, and Vicente Luque, solidifying Belal Muhammad's position atop the welterweight division.

HUSTLE INTERVIEW - ХАБИБ НУРМАГОМЕДОВ (ENG SUBS)

"I believe it will be very hard to beat Belal," Khabib Nurmagomedov said in his interview with Adam Zubayraev. "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 Muhammad's cardio is the best in this division for sure, and maybe even in all of UFC," he further added.

Friendship prevents a potential Makhachev-Muhammad title clash

Khabib Nurmagomedov also addressed speculation about his protégé Islam Makhachev potentially moving up to challenge for the welterweight title. The current UFC lightweight champion has expressed interest in becoming a two-division champion, but Khabib Nurmagomedov made it clear that a fight against Belal Muhammad is off the table due to their close friendship.
"Islam wants to move up to 170, but we can't fight there because Belal is there," Nurmagomedov explained. "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."
Fans can watch Belal Muhammad defend his UFC welterweight championship against Jack Della Maddalena in the main event of UFC 315 on May 10, 2025, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The event will be available on ESPN+ pay-per-view.
Also Read: “I’ve got some whacky ideas” - UFC commentator Joe Rogan expresses his desire to let go of cages and standups in MMA
Belal Muhammad's rise to championship status has been impressive, and with the endorsement of a legend like Khabib Nurmagomedov, his reputation as one of the most well-conditioned athletes in the sport continues to grow as he prepares for his first title defence.

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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