The ‘Nostalgia’ Clip of Conor McGregor Causes a Stir Before UFC 315: What Makes McGregor Target Belal Muhammad Right Now?

Conor McGregor is back in the headlines—but this time, it’s not about his next fight. After UFC 314 ended in brutal fashion for Michael Chandler, the Irish superstar lost a staggering $500,000 bet and quickly shifted his focus to UFC 315. But rather than moving on quietly, McGregor reignited a simmering feud with current UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, calling him out with harsh mockery and questioning his legitimacy as a titleholder. With UFC 315 around the corner, tensions are rising, and fans are watching closely as McGregor targets both the event and Muhammad in his own unique way.

Conor McGregor’s costly bet and immediate pivot to UFC 315

The drama began at UFC 314, where Paddy Pimblett shocked the world with a brutal third-round TKO victory over Michael Chandler. Many fans and analysts had expected Chandler to walk away with the win, and among them was Conor McGregor—who reportedly placed a massive $500,000 bet on Chandler to defeat Pimblett.

It was a decision that cost the former two-division champion dearly. Instead of sulking in the aftermath, McGregor quickly changed gears and shifted attention to UFC 315, scheduled to take place on May 10, 2025, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada. The event will feature a welterweight title fight between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena, and for some reason, McGregor has decided this is the fight—and the champion—he’s going to make noise about.

Belal Muhammad becomes the next target of McGregor’s ridicule

What started as a light jab turned into a full-fledged attack on Belal Muhammad’s credibility. McGregor posted a resurfaced clip of Muhammad being stopped by security during UFC 310, when the champion attempted to enter the octagon after Shavkat Rakhmonov’s win over Ian Garry. The security didn’t recognize Muhammad, despite his championship status, and tried to block his path.

McGregor found this hilarious and captioned the video with mocking commentary:

“Security doesn’t even know he’s the champ. Look at the state of this guy.”

The clip went viral on social media, drawing attention to what many saw as a moment of disrespect towards Muhammad. But McGregor wasn’t done.

He doubled down with a second post a few months later, responding to one of Muhammad’s training clips by calling it “woeful” and “abysmal.” Though he deleted the tweet shortly afterward, the message was loud and clear: McGregor doesn’t view Muhammad as a legitimate champion.

Muhammad vs. McGregor: A rivalry fueled by mockery and silence

One of the most striking aspects of this budding rivalry is how one-sided it is—at least publicly. While Conor McGregor continues to taunt and criticize, Belal Muhammad has largely chosen silence, preferring to focus on preparing for his next fight rather than engaging in a war of words.

Still, Muhammad did respond to the UFC 310 incident by clarifying that the security situation was simply a misunderstanding. He had been dressed casually, without fighter credentials on display, which caused the confusion. However, the damage was already done in the eyes of the public—and McGregor ran with it.

By repeatedly belittling Muhammad’s reputation, McGregor is adding pressure and controversy to what would otherwise be a standard title defense at UFC 315. Now, the event is being seen through a lens of personal rivalry, despite Muhammad having no confirmed plans to fight McGregor in the near future.

The main event: Muhammad vs. Jack Della Maddalena

Amid all the drama, it’s easy to forget that UFC 315 features a significant title fight. Belal Muhammad will defend his welterweight belt against rising Australian star Jack Della Maddalena—a fighter known for crisp boxing and fight IQ. With an impressive win streak and dangerous finishing power, Della Maddalena poses a real threat to Muhammad’s reign.

For Muhammad, this fight is more than just a title defense—it’s a statement opportunity. If he defeats a high-caliber challenger like Della Maddalena, it could solidify his standing in a division that has long been filled with elite contenders and highlight-reel finishers.

For fans, this could be a fight that determines whether Muhammad continues to fly under the radar or becomes a recognized, respected force. And McGregor’s constant verbal jabs have only made the stakes higher.

Could McGregor be positioning for a title shot at welterweight?

McGregor’s interest in Muhammad and UFC 315 isn’t random—it may be strategic. The Irishman has expressed interest in fighting at 170 pounds before, having previously taken on Nate Diaz and Donald Cerrone in the welterweight division. With no official bout scheduled and his last win coming back in 2020, McGregor may be laying the groundwork for a potential welterweight title fight down the line.

If Muhammad successfully defends his title and McGregor returns with a high-profile win later in 2025, the UFC could be tempted to set up a money fight between the two. It wouldn’t be the most logical matchup in terms of rankings, but it would generate massive attention—and McGregor knows it.

This could explain his consistent targeting of Muhammad: tear down his image, stir fan interest, and plant the seed for a future fight.

McGregor’s marketing genius: Creating buzz without fighting

Say what you will about Conor McGregor, but there’s no denying his promotional brilliance. Despite not having fought since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in 2021, he remains one of the most talked-about figures in combat sports. Whether it’s his whiskey brand, his tweets, or his relentless trolling of other fighters, McGregor keeps himself in the spotlight.

By shifting his attention to UFC 315 and creating a rivalry with Belal Muhammad, McGregor is once again proving that he doesn’t need to be on the fight card to dominate the conversation. It’s a formula he’s used before—and it’s working yet again.

Fans react: Division among supporters and critics

Not everyone is amused by McGregor’s antics. While some fans enjoy the banter and believe it builds hype for potential matchups, others see it as disrespectful—especially given McGregor’s own lack of recent success in the octagon.

Muhammad’s supporters argue that his resume and grit speak louder than flashy knockouts or press conference soundbites. They point to his consistent winning streak, willingness to fight anyone, and disciplined style as proof that he deserves more respect from both the UFC and its fans.

Meanwhile, McGregor’s loyal base continues to cheer him on, eager to see the Irishman return and silence critics once again.

Three bold keywords that drive the conversation

Belal Muhammad’s championship credibility questioned

One of the main takeaways from this feud is the challenge to Belal Muhammad’s championship status. By constantly questioning his recognition, legitimacy, and skills, McGregor is forcing fans and media to re-evaluate Muhammad’s standing. While many believe Muhammad has earned his belt through hard work and consistency, McGregor’s ridicule brings that narrative into question.

Conor McGregor targets UFC 315 to build relevance

By pivoting directly from a $500K loss at UFC 314 to full-throttle attacks on UFC 315, McGregor demonstrates once again that he is always playing the long game. Whether or not he ever fights Belal Muhammad, the mere association with the event elevates both the card and McGregor’s own name in headlines.

UFC 315 gains attention beyond the octagon

Thanks to McGregor’s social media presence and targeted insults, UFC 315 has become more than just a title fight—it’s now a cultural moment within the sport. Fans are tuning in not just to see who wins, but also to see how the off-cage drama may continue to unfold afterward.

Conclusion: McGregor remains a master of attention, but what comes next?

With UFC 315 drawing near, Belal Muhammad is focused on his challenger, Jack Della Maddalena. Yet, in the background, Conor McGregor’s voice is growing louder—taunting, mocking, and positioning himself for a potential clash that could disrupt the welterweight division’s future.

Whether or not that fight ever materializes, McGregor has once again injected himself into the MMA conversation. He may not have a belt, a recent win, or a fight booked, but he still commands global attention—and that’s the true power of Conor McGregor.

As for Belal Muhammad, a dominant win at UFC 315 may be the only way to silence the noise—and possibly set up a confrontation with the Irishman that could define both of their legacies in the sport.