If Belal Muhammad was hoping to spark some interest in a fight between him and Khamzat Chimaev, it looks like he got his wish.
If Dana White was recently complaining that nobody wanted to fight Khamzat Chimaev, it seems at least one offer has been laid firmly on the table.
“It’s about who’s getting that push right now in that right moment,” UFC welterweight Belal Muhammad told MMA Fighting in a recent interview. “Right now in that right moment, [with] Khamzat, you get the most hype from beating a guy like him than anybody [else] honestly.”
Whether or not the UFC ends up interested in putting together a fight between the fast-rising uber-prospect out of Sweden’s Allstar Training Center and the long time Roufusport talent remains to be seen. But, if Muhammad was hoping to spark some interest in a bout between himself and Chimaev, it seems he may have touched off a bonfire.
‘Borz’ took to Twitter following Muhammad’s comments, to make it clear that he doesn’t think ‘Remember the Name’ represents much in the way of competition. From there things just got ugly.
Let’s gooooo to kill somebody pic.twitter.com/be9ZQZY4Am
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) December 21, 2021
@bullyb170 you number one bullshit, I need 1 minute to take your head
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) December 23, 2021
When you got a finger in your eye you gave up, how you even gonna think to fight me? Bullshit boy pic.twitter.com/jOFcf2j4Ue
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) December 23, 2021
And if it seems like Muhammad’s callout got the desired reaction out of Chimaev, then the needling from the 27-year-old Chechen-born Swede also appears to have worked just as well.
Didn’t You retire because you had a cold? Don’t worry Friend I got some nyquil for you https://t.co/JSn89BdtLM pic.twitter.com/eF0CRENQck
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) December 23, 2021
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) December 23, 2021
I want him to suffer longer
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) December 23, 2021
Yea but he’ll gas at minute 15
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) December 23, 2021
It all just keeps going, and going, and going…
@bullyb170 do you need help bullshit boy ? pic.twitter.com/sDNvXvnRaf
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) December 23, 2021
Wake up you have to fight with BORZ @bullyb170 pic.twitter.com/2IeIzC66Uc
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) December 23, 2021
Don’t worry dr bully has the medicine that you need you don’t have to retire @KChimaev pic.twitter.com/aZzCdOfNRD
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) December 23, 2021
This is the best u got You can do better than that
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) December 23, 2021
Why u keep using Khabib and mcgregor lines? Be original brother https://t.co/9hb5hE1qir
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) December 23, 2021
Study hard pic.twitter.com/LFe9dfLZJP
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) December 23, 2021
Belal Muhammad after he gets taken down in 12 seconds by Khamzat. pic.twitter.com/A0zN4fWWXG
— Dovy (@DovySimuMMA) December 23, 2021
Don’t eat to many holiday cookies during this break @KChimaev pic.twitter.com/JlBOQkqxzq
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) December 24, 2021
Merry Christmas @bullyb170 pic.twitter.com/Y32K9I6guv
— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) December 24, 2021
Muhammad is coming fresh off a 3-round dominating victory over former title challenger Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson, back at UFC Vegas 45: Lewis vs. Daukaus. After that win, the Chicago-based fighter called for a shot at champion Kamaru Usman. Chimaev last fought back on October 30th, at UFC 267, where he picked up his fourth straight finish inside the Octagon, submitting Li Jingiang just over three minutes into the first round.
Whatever direction the UFC had hoped to go with either man after their latest victory, at this point it seems clear that the stage has been set for a top-tier bout in the welterweight division. If for no other reason than that it seems like neither man is about to log off until they’re on their way into the cage.