Former Fighter Claims UFC Shouldn’t Have Muslim Champions
Brendan Schaub has sparked controversy after claiming that the UFC should not have Muslim champions, taking aim at Islam Makhachev’s decision not to fight during Ramadan and accusing UFC CEO Dana White of accommodating the former lightweight champion.
The former UFC heavyweight made the remarks while discussing Makhachev’s fighting schedule, questioning whether the promotion should continue allowing champions to hold their titles when religious commitments influence their availability.
“Islam Makhachev decided not to fight because of Ramadan. They should’ve stripped his ass but Dana bends the knee,” Schaub said, according to a post shared by Happy Punch on X.
He then went further, arguing that Muslim fighters should not be champions because of their religious commitments.
“This is why you can’t have your champs of that religion. They fight once a f*cking year,” he added.
Schaub’s comments are controversial because they extend beyond criticism of an individual champion’s activity level and target an entire religious group. While the frequency of title defences is a legitimate subject of debate in the UFC, suggesting that fighters should not hold championship titles because of their religion raises questions about discrimination in the sport.
Islam Makhachev’s Ramadan Decision Sparks Debate
Makhachev has established himself as one of the leading fighters in mixed martial arts, building an impressive résumé through his performances inside the Octagon. However, his fighting schedule and the timing of potential title defences have also become talking points among fans and pundits.
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Ramadan is an important period for Muslims, involving fasting from dawn until sunset. For professional fighters, observing the holy month can create additional considerations when planning training camps, recovery and competition.
However, fighters across the UFC regularly adjust their schedules for various reasons, including injuries, recovery periods, contract negotiations and personal circumstances. Championship decisions ultimately rest with the promotion and its established policies.
Criticism of a champion’s activity level is not unusual in the UFC, where titleholders are expected to defend their belts regularly. Nevertheless, Schaub’s argument takes that criticism considerably further by suggesting that Muslim fighters should not become champions at all.
His remarks are likely to fuel further debate about the UFC’s expectations for its champions, the scheduling of title fights and the place of religious observance in professional mixed martial arts.
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