Featherweight champion Ilia Topuria criticized welterweight champ Belal Muhammad on social media as "fake champ".

UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria criticized welterweight champion Belal Muhammad on social media, calling him a "fake champ" ahead of Muhammad's title defense against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310. Their exchange escalated into a rivalry, though both fighters compete in different weight classes, making a direct matchup unlikely. Topuria will defend his title against Max Holloway at UFC 308 on October 26, while Muhammad's fight is scheduled for December 7.