The First Thing He Told Me…

Khabib Nurmagomedov had some eye-opening advice for Belal Muhammad after the Chicago native claimed the welterweight title last year.

Following a dominant nine-fight win streak inside the Octagon, Muhammad secured the biggest victory of his career at UFC 304, defeating Leon Edwards via unanimous decision, to become the new welterweight champion.

Upon returning to Chicago, Muhammad received a hero’s welcome…But his celebration was cut short when Nurmagomedov offered him a stark reminder of what it takes to remain at the top:

Khabib told me, like, the first thing he told me after the fight was: “Now you got to train twice as hard because now the bullseye is on your back. Everybody’s only looking at you, and they’re trying to find your weaknesses. So you have to keep working and keep evolving.”

He also highlighted Khabib’s warning about the dangers that come with success:

There are a lot of champions who will win the belt, and then, all of a sudden, they’re getting a lot more money.They’re getting a lot more party invites.

So, guys will fall off.

Muhammad was initially scheduled to make his first title defense at UFC 310 against Shavkat Rakhmonov, but a foot infection forced him to withdraw.Since then, no official details have been released regarding his return.