Belal Muhammad says Middleweight is the easiest division and Dricus Du Plessis is Fµcking suck

UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad has never been one to hold back his opinions. But his recent claim about the middleweight division being the “easiest” weight class in the UFC—aside from Khamzat Chimaev—has sparked heated debates among MMA fans.

Specifically, Muhammad called out Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis, labeling them as weak champions compared to other divisions. His bold statement raises a crucial question: Is he right?

In this deep dive analysis, we’ll break down Muhammad’s comments, evaluate the current state of the UFC middleweight division, and examine whether he truly stands a chance at 185 pounds.

Who is Belal Muhammad, and Why Does His Opinion Matter?

Belal Muhammad’s Background

Belal Muhammad (23-3, 1 NC) is one of the most consistent fighters in the UFC welterweight division. Known for his elite cardio, relentless pressure, and grinding wrestling, he’s on a nine-fight winning streak, with notable victories over:

• Gilbert Burns: A dominant wrestling display.
• Vicente Luque: A revenge win over a dangerous striker.
• Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson: Shut down a world-class kickboxer.

Currently, Muhammad is waiting for his shot at the 170-pound title, but with the division stacked with contenders like Leon Edwards, Colby Covington, and Shavkat Rakhmonov, the road to gold isn’t easy.

This might explain his interest in moving up to middleweight—a division he believes has a less difficult path to the title.

Why Would Belal Muhammad Move to Middleweight?

Moving up a weight class is a huge decision in MMA, but Muhammad sees several advantages in doing so:

1. Avoiding a Brutal Weight Cut

Muhammad cuts a significant amount of weight to make 170 pounds. At 185 pounds, he’d fight closer to his natural weight, preserving energy and endurance.

2. A Quicker Path to a Title Shot

The welterweight division is packed with contenders, meaning Muhammad could wait years for a title shot. Middleweight has seen frequent title changes—offering him a faster opportunity at championship gold.

3. A Style Advantage Against Middleweights

185-pounders generally have weaker wrestling compared to welterweights. Muhammad believes his pressure-heavy, grappling-based style could dominate strikers like Strickland and Du Plessis.

But does this mean the division is actually “easy”? Let’s break down his two biggest targets.

Analyzing Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis

Sean Strickland: Overrated or underrated?

Sean Strickland (28-6) is a former UFC middleweight champion known for:

✔ Elite boxing fundamentals: Strickland’s jab-heavy approach overwhelms opponents.
✔ Toughness and cardio: He pressures forward, wearing down fighters over five rounds.
✔ Solid takedown defense: Despite not being a wrestler, he’s hard to take down.

Where He Struggles:

✖ Lacks knockout power: he relies on volume rather than finishing ability.
✖ Limited offensive grappling: While hard to take down, he rarely wrestles himself.
✖ Predictable striking style: He moves in straight lines and doesn’t throw many kicks.

Could Muhammad Beat Strickland?
Muhammad’s wrestling-heavy approach could neutralize Strickland’s jab, forcing him to fight off his back. However, Strickland’s durability and relentless pace could make this a tougher fight than Muhammad expects.

Dricus Du Plessis: Sloppy or Effective?

Dricus Du Plessis (21-2) shocked the MMA world by defeating Robert Whittaker and becoming UFC Middleweight Champion. His style is unique—wild, unorthodox, and aggressive.

Strengths:

✔ Explosive knockout power: He’s finished 19 of his 21 wins.
✔ Unpredictability: His unorthodox style makes him hard to prepare for.
✔ Toughness and endurance: He fights through exhaustion and finds ways to win.

Weaknesses:

✖ Sloppy technique: His striking isn’t clean, and he takes a lot of damage.
✖ Cardio issues: He often gasses early due to his high-energy approach.
✖ Defensive lapses: He gets hit frequently, leaving openings for counterstrikes.

Could Muhammad beat Du Plessis?
Du Plessis’ reckless style might allow Muhammad to outwork him over five rounds. However, Muhammad lacks knockout power, meaning he’d likely need to grind out a decision victory.

Is the UFC Middleweight Division Really That Weak?

Belal Muhammad’s claim that middleweight is “easy” is debatable. While it lacks elite wrestlers, it still has dangerous strikers and strong grapplers.

Top Middleweight Contenders:

• Israel Adesanya: one of the best strikers in MMA history.
• Robert Whittaker is an elite kickboxer with high-level takedown defense.
• Jared Cannonier: a powerhouse with serious knockout ability.
• Marvin Vettori is a strong wrestler with incredible durability.

Muhammad would have to face bigger, stronger opponents who could challenge his wrestling-heavy style.

Comparing Middleweight to Welterweight

Which division is actually tougher?

Welterweight (170 lbs):

• More elite wrestlers: Usman, Covington, Rakhmonov.
• Faster fighters with better cardio.
• More technical striking.

Middleweight (185 lbs):

• More knockout artists but weaker wrestlers.
• Bigger fighters with slower movement.
• More unpredictable matchups.

While middleweight might be less wrestling-heavy, that doesn’t necessarily make it “easy.”

Could Muhammad Succeed at Middleweight?

Muhammad’s grappling and pressure could give him an edge against many middleweights. However, there are key concerns:

✔ Wrestling advantage over most 185-pounders.
✔ Cardio could help him outwork opponents.
✖ Lack of knockout power could be a problem.
✖ Bigger fighters could be harder to take down.

Potential Matchups for Muhammad at Middleweight:

• Marvin Vettori: A great test against a durable grappler.
• Paulo Costa: Would test Muhammad’s ability to handle power strikers.
• Derek Brunson: A fellow wrestler who could challenge Muhammad’s grappling.

Conclusion: Is Muhammad Right About Middleweight Being “Easy”?

Belal Muhammad’s claim that the middleweight division is the “easiest” in the UFC is bold—but not necessarily true.

✔ Fewer elite wrestlers make the division tempting for a grappler like him.
✔ Some champions, like Strickland and Du Plessis, have noticeable flaws.
✖ Middleweight still has knockout artists who could give Muhammad serious trouble.
✖ Size difference could be a major factor.

If Muhammad is serious about moving up, he’ll need at least one test fight before challenging the top contenders.

Would you like to see Belal Muhammad at middleweight? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!