Islam Makhachev and  Belal Muhammad are brothers-in-arms ever since the latter trained for his fight at UFC 311. However, Makhachev wants another belt, that too in his friend and welterweight champion’s category. The lightweight champ, however, has to wait and see what happens at UFC 315 between Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena. However, ‘Remember the Name’ strictly announced that he would never fight Makahchev.

He said to Barstool Chicago, “We’ve trained together, and when you’re sweating with somebody, bleeding with somebody, and training like that, it’s just a different relationship.” And it looks like he is sticking to the point while providing intel on Team Khabib’s plan for Makhachev.

Muhammad spilled the truth on where he stands, with Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s team, and said, “I don’t think they would do that. I talk to Khabib all the time, he even messaged me the other day. So like I said, them guys are so big about loyalty, and I am the same way.”

The Palestinian-American advised Makhachev to start his fight camp. “We’ve talked about it, he said, ‘Oh man, you’ve ruined my plans, it’s one of those things. Now they’re waiting to see what happens this weekend, but I tell them, like, I would get your (next) fight signed because I’m not leaving Montreal without the belt, I’m still gonna be the champ,” Muhammad expressed on The Anik and Florian Podcast.

Interestingly, it seems like Makhachev has heard his friend because he has started his training camp with Buka Martial Arts Academy in Dubai. They announced his training in the gym, posting: “GYM OF THE BEST FIGHTERS UFC P4P  @islam_makhachev.”

On top of that, Makhachev has also previously said that his goals of a second title will never change, and he is ready to fight whoever the winner of UFC 315 is. Meanwhile, UFC CBO Hunter Campbell had gone to Dagestan to meet Makhachev and Khabib to plan the lightweight champ’s next move. So on one side, Makhachev is training, on the other, he has already met with Campbell, so discussions about a second title run are in motion. Does this mean brotherhood will take a back seat as goals become more important?

Will Muhammad be compelled to fight Makhachev if he wins UFC 315?

Makhachev might wait for the end of UFC 315 to see who wins and then set his plans in motion. Now, if Muhammad wins, will Makhachev avoid fighting his friend and wait for the second title run? Well, the Palestinian American has another way of avoiding the fight with his friend. He recently declared that he was ready to vacate his belt and move to Middleweight, making it easier for Makhachev to fight at welterweight.

He declared his stance on Full Send Podcast, saying that loyalty was everything to him. He said, “For me, loyalty means more than anything. I feel that I’m at the point now where if I get two title defenses, I could start looking to move up. When I am looking at 85 [middleweight], I think it is an easy division for myself…So me an Islam and could double champ back to back.”

So if Muhammad can move to middleweight, then he can avoid fighting Makhachev. Before that, let’s not forget UFC 315 where Jack Della Maddalena and Belal Muhammad will clash for the title. Who do you think will win? Share your predictions below.