Muhammad’s Bold Move in the Welterweight Division

Belal Muhammad, the newly crowned UFC welterweight champion, is already making waves by suggesting his potential challengers prove themselves before earning a shot at his title. After securing the belt with a dominant decision win over Leon Edwards at UFC 304 in July, Muhammad isn’t rushing to commit to a specific No. 1 contender. Shavkat Rakhmonov, unbeaten with an 18-0 record as a professional and 6-0 in the UFC, is one of the top contenders, but Muhammad has a different plan in mind—he wants Rakhmonov to face former champion Kamaru Usman in a title eliminator first.

Rakhmonov vs. Usman: A Battle for Contender Status

Rakhmonov recently claimed that he was offered a fight with Muhammad at UFC 307 in October, which the champion supposedly declined due to scheduling conflicts. However, Muhammad was quick to dismiss those claims, stating on social media that Rakhmonov should face Usman instead to determine the true No. 1 contender:

“Inactive?” Muhammad wrote. “LOL. I’m still on trial and Shavkat hasn’t fought since 2023. I think Shavkat and Usman should fight to find the real number one contender.”

Usman, who held the welterweight title for over two years and defended it five times, is a significant name in the division. However, his recent performance has been less than stellar, suffering three consecutive losses, including a majority decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev in a middleweight bout and back-to-back championship losses to Edwards. Usman’s last victory came against Colby Covington at UFC 268 in November 2021.

Dana be like… pic.twitter.com/nGmmli01rw

— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) August 31, 2024

Muhammad’s Long Road to the Top and His Reluctance to Boost Others

Muhammad’s own journey to the title was not without its challenges. He had to win 10 consecutive fights (excluding one no-contest) to earn his shot against Edwards, and he is in no rush to accelerate anyone else’s path to a title shot. While Rakhmonov has built an impressive resume, Muhammad believes Usman’s past accomplishments and Rakhmonov’s unbeaten streak make for the perfect title eliminator bout.

Speculation continues around Muhammad’s first title defense, with both Rakhmonov and Usman in the mix. Muhammad’s stance highlights his belief in meritocracy, wanting contenders to earn their shot through meaningful victories, just as he did. As of now, no timeline has been set for his next defense, and the champion seems content to watch his potential challengers battle it out for the next opportunity at the belt.

Conclusion

Belal Muhammad’s suggestion for a Rakhmonov vs. Usman showdown reflects his commitment to ensuring that title contenders prove their worth. With both fighters holding compelling cases for a title shot, Muhammad’s stance not only adds intrigue to the welterweight division but also sets the stage for what could be an explosive matchup to determine the next No. 1 contender.

Sources: MMAnytt.se

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