By FCF Staff

Islam Makhachev has talked about the possibility of moving all the way up to middleweight, since he doesn’t want to face his friend Belal Muhammad for the UFC’s welterweight title. Well, it looks like Muhammad would leave welterweight behind before that needs to happen.

For some time, Makhachev has talked about jumping up to 170 pounds to pursue the welterweight belt. But as noted, the lightweight champ has also said he doesn’t want to face his teammate, Muhammad, for that championship.

Recently, Muhammad spoke with Barstool Sports Chicago. While discussing Makhachev, the welterweight champ made it clear he’s also not willing to fight his training partner (quotes via MMA Junkie.com).

“I would never fight Islam because that’s different for me and him,” Muhammad said. “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.“

The 36-year-old Muhammad (24-3) also reported that he’s also eyeing double champ status and a move to middleweight.

“I would never want to do that, and they’ve helped me so much. So for me, I would rather go up to 185 pounds and let him just take 170 if that is the case. Since I’ve already had to fight my way up to 170, and I’ve beaten five of the top 10 guys, like I’m two fights away from being able to challenge at 185 and saying, ‘Yeah I want to be double champ.’”

Muhammad has yet to compete since he ended the reign of Leon Edwards last July, via a unanimous decision win. The Chicago-born fighter has gone undefeated in 11 straight fights.