UFC 315 Drama: Islam Makhachev Faces Backlash Over Title Ambitions After Belal Muhammad’s Loss
UFC 315 stirred controversy both inside and outside the Octagon, particularly regarding the actions of lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Known for calling Belal Muhammad his “brother,” Makhachev raised eyebrows when he expressed readiness to move up to the welterweight division—seemingly in anticipation of Muhammad losing his title fight at UFC 315.
Crazy praying for your so called brothers down fall #InshaAllahIsWild https://t.co/7LPs0N1oAF
— Joaquin New Mansa Buckley (@Newmansa94) May 11, 2025
Interestingly, Ilia Topuria, a rival of Muhammad who once mocked him for having a “Napoleon Complex,” may have been hoping for the opposite. Topuria likely wanted Muhammad to retain the welterweight belt so he could face Makhachev for the lightweight crown at UFC 317.
In the end, Makhachev got what appeared to be his desired outcome: Jack Della Maddalena outclassed Muhammad with superior striking and earned a unanimous decision victory. Shortly after the bout, Makhachev took to social media to announce his intentions, writing, “Time to become a double champion #inshaAllah Let’s go.”
This declaration did not sit well with fellow UFC welterweight Joaquin Buckley. Buckley criticized Makhachev for celebrating Muhammad’s defeat so quickly after the fight, questioning the sincerity of their so-called brotherhood. “Crazy praying for your so-called brother’s downfall #InshaAllahIsWild,” Buckley posted in response.
Despite the backlash, some observers pointed out that Makhachev never explicitly wished for Muhammad to lose. His tweet came after the fight, and the phrase “InshaAllah” (God willing) suggested more of an aspirational tone than a celebration of Muhammad’s loss.
Fans quickly weighed in on both sides of the debate. Some accused Buckley of being upset over his own stalled title prospects, given that Makhachev entering the welterweight mix could delay Buckley’s potential title shot. One fan remarked, “You’re just salty because you won’t be getting anywhere near the title for the next 2 years minimum.”
Others supported Buckley’s view, interpreting Makhachev’s post-fight message as a betrayal of loyalty to Muhammad. A user commented, “Buckley is more good to Belal than his fake friend Islam.”
Criticism also arose about perceived hypocrisy. Some fans recalled that Makhachev had previously insisted that Ilia Topuria earn a title shot by beating a top-five contender when moving up in weight. Yet Makhachev himself now seeks an immediate welterweight title shot without the same standard.
Another fan claimed Makhachev wasn’t even the one tweeting, suggesting that his manager Ali Abdelaziz might have made the post. “Bro, it’s Ali tweeting that guy is sick in his head,” they alleged.
There were also those who were stunned by how quickly Makhachev shifted from comforting Muhammad to calling for a shot at his belt. “Said head up champ and not even 2 minutes later talking about double champ status,” a user wrote, highlighting the perceived insensitivity.
Meanwhile, some fans turned on Buckley for his criticism, expressing support for Makhachev and even hoping that Kamaru Usman would defeat Buckley in their upcoming bout. “Usman’s gonna put you to sleep,” one fan said bluntly.
This incident raises questions about sportsmanship, loyalty, and ambition in the UFC. Is Makhachev simply a driven champion seeking greatness, or did he cross a line by celebrating so soon after a friend’s loss? Conversely, is Buckley genuinely defending Muhammad or simply taking an opportunity to stir controversy for attention?
As the UFC landscape continues to evolve, this situation adds another layer of intrigue to the already intense welterweight division.