Khamzat Chimaev’s latest jab at UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad set social media on fire after calling the champ a “pony” in response to a potential middleweight clash. Fans, caught off guard by the insult, were quick to question the relationship between the two contenders.
Fans React as Khamzat Chimaev Fires Back at Belal Muhammad
Muhammad, fresh off his welterweight title win, recently voiced his desire to face Chimaev at 185 pounds — a weight class above his current division. Speaking to “Submission Radio,” Muhammad acknowledged Chimaev as the toughest test of his career and even backed “Borz” to dismantle reigning middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis.
“I’ve called out Khamzat when he was 170. That’s one of those fights I was always looking for,” Muhammad said. “Stylistically, I think I match up very well with him. I do think he’ll walk through [Dricus] Du Plessis and become champion.”
However, Chimaev appeared less than impressed by Muhammad’s ambitions. Posting a photo of a pony on X with the caption “bullyb170 where are you going pony,” the Chechen fighter ridiculed the welterweight champ’s move to a heavier weight class.
The post immediately triggered fan reactions. Some were amused, while others felt the disrespect was unwarranted.
One fan wrote, “Thought u guys were cool with each other?”
Another added, “Bro, you barely scraped by against Burns and Usman. You’re good so let your fights do the talking, not your social media.”
Another took a harsher stance, writing, “Respect Belal you bum.”
Not one to stay silent, Muhammad clapped back by posting an edited image of a fictional UFC fight poster featuring himself and Chimaev, along with a caption that read, “Goin to middleweight.” His response hinted that the idea of a showdown at 185 isn’t just talk—and he’s ready to make the leap.
Dricus Du Plessis vs. Chimaev Confirmed But Not Scheduled for UFC 317
The back-and-forth between the two contenders comes at a time when the UFC’s middleweight title scene is already in flux. Earlier this month, rumors circulated that Du Plessis was nursing an injury, putting his championship defense in jeopardy. That briefly opened the door for a possible matchup between Chimaev and fellow contender Caio Borralho.
However, Du Plessis later dismissed injury concerns, reaffirming his status as an active champion. In response to the swirling speculation, UFC CEO Dana White recently confirmed that Du Plessis vs. Chimaev is “done,” though it won’t take place during International Fight Week at UFC 317.
“We all know that fight’s happening,” White said at the UFC Kansas City post-fight press conference. “It’s just not happening in International Fight Week.”
With UFC 317 on June 28 still lacking a headliner, rumors continue around potential alternatives, including a lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria. Topuria has reportedly already begun training.
Meanwhile, Chimaev vs. Du Plessis is more likely to land on the UFC 319 card in August, with UFC 318 in July already featuring Dustin Poirier vs. Max Holloway 3.
