Islam Makhachev is a UFC legend in the making – but welterweight champion Belal Muhamad has revealed he’d rather vacate his title before fighting him.

Muhammad won his belt by cruising past Birmingham’s Leon Edwards at UFC Manchester last July.

Muhammad has revealed he would never defend his title against MakhachevCredit: Getty

Muhammad said ‘it’s different’ with the Russian as they’ve trained together

He is yet to defend his 170-pounds strap – largely due to a grotesque bone infection he suffered last year – but is likely to put it the line against Shavkat Rakhmonov when he is back to full fitness.

However, should Muhammad get past Rakhmonov, ‘Remember The Name’ doesn’t fancy taking on Makhachev, the UFC lightweight champion, who could attempt to secure his second belt this year.

“I would never fight Islam because that’s different for me and him,” Muhammad told Barstool Sports Chicago.

“We’ve trained together, and when you’re sweating with somebody, and you’re bleeding with somebody, and you train with somebody like that, it’s just a different relationship.

“It wouldn’t be about the money for me or for him, I would assume.”

Makhachev has defended his title four times since submitting Charles Oliveira in 2022 at UFC 280.

His most recent outing came last month at UFC 311, where he made easy work of late replacement Renatio Moicano.

Makhachev was described as the UFC’s number one pound-for-pound fighter by the promotion’s President Dana White after the bout.

MMA fans have been eager to find out what is next for Makhachev, who has been linked with a move up to the welterweight division currently reigned by Muhammad.

“I would never want to do that, and they’ve helped me so much,” Muhammad added. “So for me, I would rather go up to 185 pounds and let him just take 170 if that is the case.

Muhammad won the belt from Edwards last July in Manchester

But admits he won’t be defending it against Makhachev anytime soonCredit: Getty

“Since I’ve already had to fight my way up to 170, and I’ve beaten five of the top ten guys, like I’m two fights away from being able to challenge at 185 and saying, ‘Yeah I want to be double champ.’’”

Makhachev made similar comments to his friend Muhammad ahead of his victory at UFC 311 a matter of weeks ago.

“These are not the fights I would like, for sure – both Belal Muhammad and Shavkat Rakhmonov,” he said.

“Both are world-class fighters with all the skills. They’re going to have a good fight coming up, that I’m interested to see.”

Dricus Du Plessis is the UFC middleweight champion, having defended the belt against Sean Strickland at UFC 312 this month.

Muhammad concluded by saying he can see himself up there with the very best in the division above, while admitting he didn’t make much of du Plessis’ clash with Strickland in Australia.

Muhammad may have his heart set on a fight with middleweight champion du Plessis in the future

“185 would be no problem,” Muhammad remarked. “I train with bigger guys.

“I’ve felt their strength, and 185 is probably the easiest weight class (for opponents) besides Khamzat [Chimaev].

“When you look at that (UFC 312) main event, you’re like ‘Bro, Strickland and du Plessis suck.’”

Muhammad won his belt by comfortably defeating Edwards, who is scheduled to headline UFC London next month in what will be his first fight since the defeat.

Edwards takes on Jack Della Maddalena at the O2 Arena, with the sole aim of earning another UFC title shot this year.