Khabib Nurmagomedov Opens Up: My Heart is Not OK with Makhachev vs Muhammad Matchup

UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov has shared his heartfelt perspective on the potential clash between UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and welterweight titleholder Belal Muhammad. Despite the allure of a champion-versus-champion showdown, Khabib would prefer not to see these two elite fighters square off inside the octagon.

“Honestly, my heart is not OK with it,” Khabib admitted on the Pound 4 Pound podcast alongside Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman. “It would be hard for me to prepare Islam to beat Belal.”

Makhachev (25-1) has been vocal about his desire to move up to welterweight and chase the glory of dual-champ status. However, Muhammad (24-3), who has frequently trained with Team Nurmagomedov, stands as a roadblock. For Khabib, the idea of aiding Makhachev against someone he holds in such high regard feels deeply unsettling.

Khabib, who once cornered Muhammad during his impressive TKO victory over Sean Brady at UFC 280, believes that preparing for Muhammad’s style is a tall order.

“Belal is not an easy fighter to plan against,” Khabib said. “If you want to beat Belal, you have to stop him. It’s very hard to dominate him for 25 minutes – whether on the ground or in the striking game. He wrestles, he strikes, and he mixes it up so well.”

Muhammad’s current 11-fight unbeaten streak speaks volumes about his adaptability and resilience, making him a formidable challenge for anyone, even someone as skilled as Makhachev.

Rather than seeing Makhachev and Muhammad collide, Khabib proposed an alternative matchup for the welterweight champion.

“I’d rather see Belal fight Kamaru Usman,” Khabib suggested.“Kamaru deserves it. If he can rebound with a big win, maybe over someone like Jack Della Maddalena, I think he could fight for the title.”

While the UFC landscape is ever-evolving, one thing remains clear: Khabib Nurmagomedov’s loyalty and respect for both Makhachev and Muhammad make the idea of this potential fight an emotional and moral conundrum for "The Eagle."