Before UFC 315, there was a lot of talk about a potential fight between Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev. However, this match depended heavily on the main event’s result. If Belal Muhammad had won, Islam would have likely stayed in the lightweight division and accepted a title fight with Topuria. Unfortunately, Muhammad couldn’t defend his title, but his loss now clears the way for Makhachev to pursue his dream of becoming a two-division champion.
In this situation, Khabib Nurmagomedov finds himself in a bittersweet position. As Islam’s long-time mentor, he and his team should be celebrating the opportunity for Islam to chase the welterweight title. However, Khabib is also a close ally of the former welterweight champion. So, for now, it was not Khabib but Team Khabib’s manager who chose to console Muhammad after he lost his title in the main event.
Team Khabib’s Manager Shares Consoling Message for Belal Muhammad
Islam Makhachev has long dreamed of moving up to the welterweight division for the title. So, there has always been talk within the MMA community that Makhachev would face Belal Muhammad, but Khabib Nurmagomedov quickly shut down those discussions. Khabib, Muhammad, and Makhachev share a close bond, considering themselves like family, and they made it clear that a fight between them would never happen. Islam also chose family over championship dreams.
However, at UFC 315, the Palestinian representative Muhammad lost his welterweight title to Jack Della Maddalena by unanimous decision. With Muhammad no longer holding the belt, Makhachev now has a clear path to challenge for the welterweight championship without having to fight someone he considers family. As a result, Makhachev will vacate his lightweight title and officially move up to welterweight.
Meanwhile, Ilia Topuria, who had been hoping to fight Makhachev for the lightweight title, will now face Charles Oliveira for the interim lightweight championship at UFC 317 instead.
The situation has been summed up in a position where everyone is happy. Topuria is getting his title shot, Islam can now challenge for the welterweight title, and Khabib’s team is thrilled that Islam is pursuing his dream. However, they can’t fully celebrate because Muhammad is like family to them, and his loss is deeply felt.
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To show support, Ali Abdelaziz, Team Khabib’s manager, made sure to console Muhammad. Taking to Instagram, he wrote, “Today, he was fighting for something much bigger than a UFC title. Win or lose doesn’t define him as a man. He will always be a champion for freedom and justice.”
Will Belal Muhammad Ask for a Rematch?
Belal Muhammad has not officially announced plans for a rematch against Jack Della Maddalena after his UFC 315 loss. However, he has stressed that he intends to bounce back and remain a top contender in the welterweight division.
The former welterweight champion posted on social media after the fight, saying, “Allah’s plan is the best plan, Alhamdillah for everything. Thank you to all my supporters. I been here before and I’ll be back.”
Allahs plan is the best plan Alhamdillah for everything Thankyou to all my supporters I been here before and I’ll be back
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) May 11, 2025
Meanwhile, with Islam Makhachev moving up to welterweight, the division is shifting rapidly. If Muhammad wants another shot at the title, he may need to fight another top contender first before earning a rematch against Maddalena.
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