UFC Champ Belal Muhammad Inspired By Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Praise To Push His Limits And Follow His Path

Belal Muhammad respects Khabib Nurmagomedov

Belal Muhammad and Khabib Nurmagomedov

Receiving praise from a legend like Khabib Nurmagomedov is something every fighter dreams of. Khabib, known for his dominant career and unwavering discipline, doesn’t offer compliments lightly. When a fighter is acknowledged by someone of his caliber, it’s not just about the words; it’s a powerful reminder of the level they’ve reached. And this is what even the welterweight champion Belal Muhammad thinks after he gets compliments from him.

In a chat with MMA Fighting, UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad expressed his gratitude and admiration for Khabib Nurmagomedov’s praise, which he described as the highest honor. Khabib’s acknowledgment of Muhammad’s superior cardio and skills meant a lot to him, as it came from one of the most respected figures in MMA history.

Muhammad sees Khabib not just as a fighter but as a role model, especially in how he conducts himself with discipline and humility. Khabib’s praise drives Muhammad to step up his training, aiming to adopt the champion’s approach and mindset. That acknowledgement sharpens his focus and pushes him to pursue the same level of excellence and honor the legacy of a true warrior.

He said, “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 the way he acts as a champion. It means the world.”

Belal Muhammad Says No To Islam Makhachev Fight Out Of Khabib’s Respect

Belal Muhammad respects Islam Makhachev but takes a shot at the middleweight division, stirring debate among MMA fans

Belal Muhammad and Islam Makhachev

Recently, as there is buzz about Makhachev’s welterweight move, when asked about the possibility of fighting Makhachev, Muhammad shared that his respect and loyalty to Team Khabib make such a fight unlikely. He explained that there’s simply too much respect for Khabib and his team to consider facing Makhachev. Additionally, Muhammad also mentioned that Ilia Topuria needs to prove himself against another opponent before getting a title shot.

Subsequently, he added that it wouldn’t make sense for Islam to face another fighter from the 145-pound division, as no matter the outcome, people would criticize both Islam and Team Khabib. Meanwhile, for now, the Welterweight champ has his sights set on defeating Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315.