Belal Muhammad was humiliated by Dricus du Plessis in the super UFC fight: ‘Step on his head and it’s done’ – Is this the beginning of a fierce battle?

Since capturing the UFC middleweight title in early 2024, Dricus du Plessis has not shied away from exploring potential champion-vs-champion clashes. But when it comes to UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, DDP has made it crystal clear — he isn’t worried, not in the slightest.

In a recent interview with Barstool Chicago, Muhammad floated the idea of moving up to what he cheekily described as “the easiest weight class” — the 185-pound middleweight division. The move would be a strategic one, designed to make room for his teammate and current UFC lightweight king Islam Makhachev to pursue a second belt at welterweight. According to Muhammad, he’d vacate his belt to let Makhachev ascend, and stepping into the middleweight arena would be “no problem,” aside from a potential clash with Khamzat Chimaev.

He also added that the recent UFC 312 title bout further convinced him that both du Plessis and former champ Sean Strickland are, in his words, “trash.”

Bold Claims from Belal Muhammad Spark Reactions

Needless to say, these comments didn’t sit well with DDP. Speaking on “The Ariel Helwani Show,” du Plessis responded with laughter and biting sarcasm.

“Belal Muhammad, I don’t even remember how that guy fights. Has he ever knocked anyone out?” du Plessis said mockingly, taking a dig at Muhammad’s nickname, “Remember the Name.”

Du Plessis didn’t stop there. He questioned Muhammad’s assumption that moving up to middleweight and receiving an immediate title shot was even a remote possibility.

“I love how he acts like it’s up to him to just move to 185. The UFC will never let him do that. If he wants to move up, he’d have to vacate his title and work his way up like anyone else. No way he’s getting a straight title shot. UFC doesn’t even like Belal Muhammad.”

Whether that last assertion is factually accurate or not, DDP’s tone made one thing clear: he doesn’t rate Muhammad, not at welterweight, and certainly not at middleweight.

Undefeated Runs and Unfiltered Opinions

Both fighters have reached the apex of their respective divisions in 2024. Muhammad finally secured gold with a unanimous decision over Leon Edwards in July, ending a years-long campaign for respect in the stacked welterweight division. Unfortunately, his planned first defense at UFC 310 in December against undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov had to be scrapped due to a bone infection in his toe.

Meanwhile, du Plessis is riding high off his second successful title defense, a convincing win against Sean Strickland at UFC 312 in February. It was a rematch of their earlier 2024 encounter, which DDP also won by decision. The South African middleweight now boasts a perfect 9-0 UFC record. Muhammad, while not quite as spotless, is undefeated in his last 11 UFC appearances.

But unbeaten streaks don’t mean much in the court of public opinion, and DDP had more to say.

“It wouldn’t even be fair. Have you seen how small he is? What’s he going to do — sit on someone’s shoulders and try to fight me? He’s the smallest 170-pounder I’ve ever seen. If I fight him, I just step on his head, and it’s over.”

The image may be hyperbolic, but the sentiment was clear: du Plessis doesn’t see Muhammad as a legitimate threat, physically or technically.

Muhammad Fires Back

Belal Muhammad, known for his vocal presence on social media, wasn’t about to let DDP’s insults slide. He quickly responded on X (formerly Twitter):

“The guy can barely walk without tripping over his own feet. He doesn’t touch me.”

He followed it up with a video clip from du Plessis’s 2022 fight against Brad Tavares, where DDP struggled to finish a grounded opponent. “This the guy that’s gonna beat me?” Muhammad wrote, along with a string of laughing emojis.

This back-and-forth exchange has added a new layer to what was already a dynamic year in the UFC. Both men have busy schedules, with Muhammad still expected to defend against Rakhmonov and du Plessis eyeing new contenders in the middleweight division. But could this verbal sparring turn into an actual fight?

Is a Champion-vs-Champion Clash on the Horizon?

In the modern UFC era, superfights between champions aren’t as rare as they once were. Think of Makhachev vs. Volkanovski, or Adesanya’s ill-fated attempt to dethrone Jan Blachowicz. These fights are marketable, dramatic, and capable of elevating legacies.

But du Plessis vs. Muhammad may not fit the mold. One reason is purely physical. Du Plessis is a massive middleweight, frequently walking around well over 200 pounds. Muhammad, on the other hand, has never fought above 170 and isn’t known for finishing power. A jump of 15 pounds — against a high-pressure, power striker like DDP — presents risks that might outweigh the reward.

Moreover, UFC matchmaking is not just about what fighters want; it’s about what fans will pay to see. As du Plessis pointed out, Muhammad hasn’t exactly been a pay-per-view draw. The UFC may be hesitant to reward him with a superfight when his resume, while technically impressive, lacks the kind of star power that typically fuels these bouts.

Is This Personal or Promotional?

The UFC is a promotion, and that means narratives matter. Is Dricus du Plessis simply drumming up controversy to stay relevant in a rapidly shifting MMA landscape? Or does he truly view Belal Muhammad as an unworthy competitor who doesn’t belong in his orbit?

It’s likely a mix of both. Fighters are now entertainers as much as they are athletes. Du Plessis may never fight Muhammad, but undermining a fellow champion makes headlines, builds intrigue, and cements his status as a no-nonsense middleweight ruler.

Muhammad, for his part, isn’t afraid to play the same game. Whether mocking old fight clips or challenging perceived disrespect, he continues to stake his claim — in the cage and on social media.

Conclusion: The Battle May Be Verbal, but the Stakes Are Real

Whether or not we ever see Dricus du Plessis vs. Belal Muhammad in the Octagon, this war of words has spotlighted two champions with very different outlooks, styles, and personalities. One sees himself as the immovable object at middleweight, the other as a strategic operator willing to sacrifice for his team.

If Muhammad defends his title successfully against Rakhmonov and DDP continues his dominant reign, the UFC may find a way to bring this clash to life. Until then, fans can expect more trash talk, more viral moments, and perhaps a growing rivalry that transcends weight classes.

Because in the UFC, championships may define a career — but rivalries, real or hyped, define a legacy.