Daniel Cormier Refutes Claim That Islam Makhachev Prayed For Belal Muhammad's Downfall

Daniel Cormier says Islam Makhachev isn't the type to pray for Belal Muhammad's downfall for his own gain.

Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC), who is vacating the UFC lightweight title, made his intentions of chasing a second belt clear, but standing in his way was his friend and occasional training partner, Muhammad, who held the welterweight title.

However, after Muhammad (24-4 MMA, 15-4 UFC) lost his title to Jack Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) in Saturday's UFC 315 main event at Bell Centre in Montreal, Makhachev posted it was time for him to become double champion – a comment that rubbed many the wrong way, including top welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley.

Crazy praying for your so called brothers down fall #InshaAllahIsWildhttps://t.co/7LPs0N1oAF

— Joaquin New Mansa Buckley (@Newmansa94) May 11, 2025

Makhachev did also tweet words of encouragement to Muhammad, but it was overlooked by many. Cormier defended Makhachev amidst accusations that he was hoping for Muhammad's demise, chalking it up to Buckley just trying to insert himself into the title picture.

"I don't think Makhachev was praying for Belal to lose," Cormier said on his YouTube channel. "I know the guy, and I don't think that's in him to want to see one of his friends lose for himself to gain an opportunity. But what Buckley is doing, from the trolling of Ian Garry to now trying to target Islam Makhachev, it's one of the only ways he's truly going to find his way into those big fights that he wants so desperately. He beats Kamaru Usman, obviously he's going to be in line to get a great fight."

Makhachev will get his opportunity to chase a second UFC belt as Dana White announced that he will challenge Della Maddalena on a date to be determined. However, Makhachev will no longer be lightweight champion when Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira battle for the vacant belt in the UFC 317 headliner June 28 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Daniel Cormier: Islam Makhachev didn't pray for Belal Muhammad to lose