Security remembered the name.
UFC welterweight champion, Belal Muhammad, stormed the cage to make good on this callout when Shavkat Rakhmonov defeated Ian Garry at UFC 310, cementing his spot as the next challenger for Muhammad’s belt.
Unfortunately, cageside security didn’t get the memo and was already on high alert after a series of altercations, including this meltdown from current bantamweight titleholder Merab Dvalishvili — no stranger to temper tantrums.
Muhammad was eventually let through after a brief delay.
“Yeah, I don’t know, they thought I was gonna do, they thought I was pulling a Merab, like hopping over and going crazy or something like that,” Muhammad told The Schmo. “No, he called me, bro! If someone calls me into the cage I’m gonna go in there, right? I don’t think (security) heard it, they didn’t realize what was going on they thought I was going in to attack him, I’m just like, bro, chill.”
Security isn’t the only one who needs to chill these days.
Rakhmonov was originally booked to fight Muhammad in the UFC 310 headliner; however, “Remember the Name” was bounced by an untimely toe infection and forced to withdraw. Matchmakers were quick to pivot and lift Garry from UFC Tampa on short notice.
Taking “The Future’s” place in “The Sunshine State” is Colby Covington.
No word yet on when the recently-cleared Muhammad will return to defend his title, but first or second quarter of 2025 is probably a safe bet, assuming Rakhmonov escaped his Garry fight at UFC 310 with no major injuries (like this).
Stay tuned.