UFC fans were taken aback when Ilia Topuria, the reigning UFC featherweight champion, took to social media to voice his disdain for Belal Muhammad, the welterweight champion. Despite the significant weight difference between the two champions, their recent online feud has captured the attention of the MMA community.
Topuria, scheduled to defend his featherweight title against Max Holloway at UFC 308 on October 26 in Abu Dhabi, deemed Muhammad a “fake champ” during an Instagram Live session. In reference to Muhammad’s upcoming title defence against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 on December 7 in Las Vegas, Topuria stated, “Belal, he’s a fake champ. I think right now in the welterweight division, the one who will come back and take the belt again is Kamaru Usman, in my opinion. Easy work for Usman.”
This remark did not sit well with Muhammad, who promptly retaliated with a tweet that drew parallels between Topuria and Colby Covington. He quipped, “Didn’t this dork just buy a fake ‘BMF’ belt to pose with… he’s starting to become the Georgian version of Colby Covington.” This exchange quickly morphed into a full-blown online spat, with both champions trading barbs via Twitter.
Topuria followed up with a series of bold claims about Muhammad, posting, “NO FINISHES NO KNOCKOUTS NO KNOCKDOWNS NO GIRLFRIEND NO KIDS BELAL HAS NEVER FINISHED ANY MAN OR WOMAN.” His aim was clear: to undermine Muhammad’s standing in the welterweight division. However, Muhammad hit back, suggesting that Topuria was resorting to copying memes, stating, “Now you’re just copying stuff word for word off memes.” This back-and-forth has only amplified the animosity between the two fighters.
While a champion vs. champion showdown might be a fantasy given their different weight classes, you can sense genuine tension building between Topuria and Muhammad. As both fighters focus on their upcoming bouts, their light-hearted bickering takes a back seat to their professional obligations. You can expect Topuria to bring his A-game against Holloway, while Muhammad will be keen to prove his worth against Rakhmonov.
This latest confrontation showcases the passionate rivalries present within the UFC, adding another layer to the sport’s allure. Though time will tell if this online feud evolves into a more personal rivalry, for now, you have two champions with distinct paths, and it will be intriguing to see how their careers progress in the wake of this social media skirmish.
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