Belal Muhammad has outlined the path to defeating the undefeated UFC phenom Khamzat Chimaev. Additionally, “Remember the Name” predicted that Chimaev would handily dethrone UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus du Plessis if they clashed inside the octagon.
Belal Muhammad Shares How to Beat Khamzat Chimaev
During a recent appearance on “Submission Radio,” Belal Muhammad was asked about possibly facing Khamzat Chimaev at middleweight.
The reigning UFC Welterweight Champion responded that he had pursued a fight against Chimaev when the latter competed in the welterweight division.
“I’ve called out Khamzat when he was at 170 (pounds),” Muhammad said. “That was one of those fights that I was always looking for. Right? I’m always looking for the toughest challenge, the best fight. And especially, for him, stylistically, I think I match up very well with him and a guy like him.”
When asked what he thought the key to beating Chimaev was, Muhammad alluded to “Borz” being a fast starter and implied that he’d drag him into deep waters and beat him.
Muhammad said, “He goes so hard in that first round, and he comes out like a freaking missile. We’ve got to weather the storm. We’ve got to get through it.”
The welterweight kingpin explained that a fighter must withstand the early pressure from Chimaev, which most fail to do because it’s incredibly tough.
He continued, “But for me, it’s just taking him to the later rounds, and then you start picking it up in the later rounds, start drowning him in the later rounds. And then, we see where he’s at in the fourth and fifth rounds.”
Muhammad has often expressed interest in moving up in weight and capturing the UFC middleweight championship someday,
Presently, Muhammad is scheduled to defend his UFC welterweight title against Australia’s Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 on May 10, 2025.
Speculation has abounded that the winner of Muhammad vs. Della Maddalena could fight UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev, who’s consistently hinted that he’d like to move up in weight and capture the welterweight belt.
However, Muhammad has maintained that he respects Makhachev, whom he’s extensively trained with in recent years, and wouldn’t fight the Dagestani.
Belal Muhammad Predicts Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev
Khamzat Chimaev was rumored to face Dricus du Plessis for middleweight gold at UFC 317 in June 2025. But with the South African’s reported leg injury, “Borz” may have to wait for a title shot.
Rumors are rife that the UFC could book him to fight another top-tier middleweight, potentially his former training partner, Caio Borralho, in the meantime.
Muhammad believes that Chimaev will dominantly defeat du Plessis. He said, “And I do think he will walk through du Plessis and be the champion whenever they fight.”
