Khamzat Chimaev wasted no time targeting Belal Muhammad after his UFC 315 welterweight belt loss to Jack Della Maddalena on May 10, 2025. The middleweight contender used social media to mock Muhammad’s defeat in Montreal’s Bell Centre, where Della Maddalena won a unanimous decision. Chimaev’s remarks escalated their long-standing rivalry.
In a now-deleted post, Chimaev jabbed at Muhammad’s emotional response.
“He’s crying again!” Chimaev wrote in a now-deleted post on X.
The comment followed Muhammad’s first loss since January 2019, ending his 11-fight unbeaten streak.
Chimaev also responded to a fan urging unity among Muslim fighters.
“Yes, he called me a Muslim brother then he went and said he wants to beat me, so should I be nice to you? I like real people, not fake, if you call me your brother you should be my brother. I always support Palestine but I never support fake people,” Chimaev replied to fan on X. His words criticized Muhammad’s sincerity.
Khamzat Chimaev went off on ‘fake’ Belal Muhammad following his loss at #UFC315 😬
“Yes he call me Muslim brother then he go saying he wants to beat me, so [why] should I be nice to you?
I like real people not fake. If you call me brother you should be my brother.” pic.twitter.com/7cMIGfesEX
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 12, 2025
Muhammad, 36, fell to Della Maddalena after a five-round bout, with judges scoring 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46. He landed 155 strikes but managed only one takedown, straying from his wrestling strengths. The setback ended his reign as champion, which began in July 2024 against Leon Edwards.
Della Maddalena, now 18-2, delivered 200 strikes and defended six of nine takedown attempts. His crisp boxing earned a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus. The Australian’s victory marked his eighth straight UFC win.
UFC CEO Dana White revealed Muhammad’s severe injuries post-fight. A broken nose, orbital bone, and split lip left Muhammad facing a long recovery. White praised the bout’s intensity, calling it a “war”.
UFC 315 also featured Valentina Shevchenko defending her flyweight crown against Manon Fiorot, winning 48-47 across all scorecards. Aiemann Zahabi’s upset over Jose Aldo prompted Aldo’s retirement. The Montreal card reshaped multiple divisions.
Rivalry Roots and Future Fights
Chimaev, 14-0, now competes at middleweight and is set to face Dricus Du Plessis for the 185-pound belt later in 2025. His move from welterweight makes a Muhammad fight unlikely soon. Muhammad previously vowed to “smack up” the Du Plessis-Chimaev winner.
The rivalry began when Chimaev called Muhammad a “pony” in April 2025, sparking a heated exchange. Muhammad responded by eyeing a middleweight move, though his UFC 315 loss shifted focus to recovery. Their bad blood stems from Muhammad’s claim of wanting to fight Chimaev despite calling him a brother.
Muhammad’s game plan at UFC 315 surprised observers. Khabib Nurmagomedov’s coach, Javier Mendez, said Muhammad tried to prove his striking, costing him the bout. Mendez praised Della Maddalena’s ability to keep the fight standing.
Muhammad reflected on social media, 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”. His resilience signals a comeback, likely against Kamaru Usman or Sean Brady. He has never lost consecutive fights.
Chimaev’s middleweight path includes Du Plessis, who trolled Muhammad after UFC 315, citing their own social media feud. Muhammad had called middleweight the “easiest” division, irking Du Plessis. The layered rivalries add intrigue to both divisions.
Della Maddalena now faces a potential superfight with lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, who called him out post-UFC 315. Makhachev’s friendship with Muhammad delayed his welterweight move. Muhammad’s loss cleared the path.
Muhammad’s next steps depend on healing. Possible opponents include Usman, who faces Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta, or Brady, who stopped Edwards at UFC London. A win could position Muhammad for a rematch with Della Maddalena
