When UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, who holds a 29-0 record, praises a fighter, it means he’s serious about that person. Given Khabib’s undefeated experience, no one can deny his words—especially when it comes to an athlete’s skill or physique.
So, his recent remark about Belal Muhammad made everyone believe that Belal is the best in the company, at least in one aspect.
Khabib Nurmagomedov Praises Muhammad’s Cardio Ahead of Title Defense
Belal Muhammad’s victory over Leon Edwards at UFC 304 officially pushed his professional MMA record to 24 wins. Before that, Muhammad had 23 wins, 3 losses, and 1 no contest. His unanimous decision win over Edwards marked his 24th career victory.
Given his record, it’s clear he is a strong contender in his division. Winning 24 out of 28 matches is no small feat. However, we still can’t call him the best fighter just yet, as he hasn’t defended his welterweight title. His title defense against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 will provide the answer very soon.
Interestingly, before that fight, UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov shared high praise for Belal. Khabib retired from fighting in 2020. Since then, he has mentored top fighters like UFC pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev and PFL champion Usman Nurmagomedov. Yet, among all the talent he’s seen, he believes Belal’s cardio stands out.
“Belal’s cardio is the best in this division for sure, and maybe even in all of UFC.”
– Khabib Nurmagomedov
(via @AdamZubayraev) pic.twitter.com/HSUnuVYdbA
— Dovy🔌 (@DovySimuMMA) April 18, 2025
In a recent interview with Adam Zubayraev, Khabib said, “Belal’s cardio is the best in this division for sure, and maybe even in all of UFC.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov also praised Belal Muhammad’s strength
Nurmagomedov also recognizes that Muhammad’s ability to maintain high-paced aggression for all five rounds is unmatched. Reflecting on how Muhammad’s conditioning is one of the most underrated skills in MMA today, he said, “I believe it will be very hard to beat Belal.”
He then explained how Muhammad’s ability to keep pressing forward makes him extremely difficult to beat. Essentially, if an opponent fails to secure an early knockout or submission, Muhammad will wear them down with his relentless pace and durability, according to Khabib.
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