TLDR
- Andrei Arlovski sparked backlash by saying he ‘won’ his 2013 fight with Anthony Johnson because he’s alive and Johnson died in 2022
- Belal Muhammad condemned the remarks, saying they reflect a culture that values viral moments over basic human decency
- Arlovski has since apologized for his insensitive comments about the late fighter
- Muhammad argued that people no longer hide their worst thoughts and are willing to sacrifice respect for online attention
- The UFC champion called the normalization of such behavior the ‘saddest’ part of the current social media culture
Sources: sherdog.com | boxingnews.com | boxingnews.com
Belal Muhammad condemned Andrei Arlovski for insensitive remarks about the late Anthony Johnson, saying the incident reflects a culture that values viral attention over basic human decency.
Arlovski drew criticism after a recent interview where he discussed his 2013 fight against Johnson under the World Series of Fighting banner. The Belarusian heavyweight lost by unanimous decision but claimed he should have won the bout.
Arlovski then suggested he came out ahead anyway because he is still alive while Johnson has died. Johnson passed away in 2022 at age 38.
Andrei Arlovski on his MMA loss to Anthony Johnson, who passed away in 2022:
“I’m winner anyway. He’s dead, I’m alive.”
(via @RealDaveGuttman) pic.twitter.com/whhs1jUkDh
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) November 7, 2026
Arlovski Issues Apology
Arlovski has since apologized for the comments. However, the former UFC champion Muhammad says the damage reveals a deeper problem with how people behave online.
In a lengthy post on X, Muhammad wrote that the world is “rotting” and people no longer hide their worst thoughts. “There was a time when people hid behind fake accounts to say the stupid things they were too ashamed to say publicly,” he wrote.
Muhammad said those days are over. “Now the masks are off,” he continued.
The welterweight champion argued that people have become desperate for attention regardless of whether it is positive or negative. He said respect and basic humanity are being traded away for clicks and views.
Champion Says Problem Goes Beyond MMA
Muhammad emphasized that the issue extends far beyond the fighting community. “It’s not just MMA,” he wrote on social media.
He said people now openly display behavior they once kept private. The side of people they used to hide behind closed doors is now public, according to Muhammad.
The champion said the pursuit of viral moments has replaced common courtesy as the guiding force in online interactions. People no longer care whether the attention they receive is good or bad, he wrote.
Muhammad identified what he considers the most troubling aspect of this trend. “The saddest thing is people are starting to think this is normal,” he stated.
The remarks from Arlovski came during an interview where he reflected on his mixed martial arts career. He has a professional record of 34 wins and 24 losses.
Johnson, known by his nickname “Rumble,” was a popular fighter who competed in both the UFC and World Series of Fighting. He was 38 years old when he died in 2022.
Muhammad’s comments on X have been shared widely across social media platforms. The former UFC champion did not call for any specific action against Arlovski beyond his public criticism of the remarks and the broader culture that enables them.
