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When Belal Muhammad defeated Leon Edwards to win the Welterweight crown, “The Bully” revealed some grand aspirations. Muhammad announced his intentions of defending the title often, taking on all comers, and jumping up to 185-pounds to dethrone Dricus Du Plessis.
According to most fight fans, the most logical next contender is Shavkat Rakhmonov. The undefeated Kazakh talent has finished all his opponents, and he’s riding a six-fight win streak opposite quality opposition like Geoff Neal and Stephen Thompson. There are other good options like Ian Garry and Jack Della Maddalena, but Muhammad has spent most of his time online talking trash with Kamaru Usman. The former Welterweight kingpin is a great fighter, but he’s lost three in a row and shouldn’t be considered until back in the win column.
Rakhmonov is frustrated. “Nomad” is actively campaigning for his title shot, and based on his recent social media post, it’s not going very well.
He wrote, “After all the talk about being an active champion, truth is Belal isn’t even ready to defend his title this year.”
After all the talk about being an active champion, truth is Belal isn’t even ready to defend his title this year https://t.co/tg7cy1sfxN
— Shavkat “Nomad” Rakhmonov (@Rakhmonov1994) August 28, 2024
At the moment, the Welterweight title picture is very up in the air. It could simply be that UFC already has plans for their December pay-per-view (PPV) and needs Muhammad to defend in January, regardless of whether the planned opponent is Usman or Rakhmonov.
Insomnia
This throwback photo of future Polish champions Jan Blachowicz and Joanna Jedrzejczyk is my favorite social media thing I’ve seen in weeks.
Pannie Kianzad lost three in a row to solid competition, but she was still ranked in the Bantamweight Top 15. A somewhat surprising cut?
? Fighter removed: Pannie Kianzad
— UFC Roster Tracker (@RosterTracker) August 27, 2024
Take a look at the full undercard for UFC Vegas 98:
The UFC have announced their October 12 card via press release.
It is headlined by Brandon Royval vs. Tatsuro Taira with Grant Dawson vs. Rafa Garcia announced as a feature bout.
Here is the remainder of the card pic.twitter.com/WEROXnUs1O
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) August 27, 2024
Who should Israel Adesanya fight in his return? I think a reasonable step back — like a Brendan Allen or so — would make the most sense.
Israel Adesanya’s coach Eugene Bareman says that Adesanya will fight again before the end of the year
(via. Combat TV) #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/EXr46hu7Qi
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 28, 2024
Demetrious Johnson takes us inside the world of Street Beefs:
Stop sending Ben Askren your Laura Sanko fan mail!
Luke Rockhold and Craig Jones are enjoying that post-competition glow.
Luke Rockhold and Craig Jones pic.twitter.com/pBuH2aKLRQ
— Dovy (@DovySimuMMA) August 26, 2024
Slips, rips, and KO clips
I always enjoy when a fighter too lanky for overhands still has a good overhand.
Speaking of faceplants. Rogerio Matias sends Martin Farley to the shadow realm with an overhand right at Centurion FC. Holy hell #CFC22 pic.twitter.com/QQPKXou2dY
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) August 25, 2024
A close range onslaught produces a nasty cut and stoppage victory.
It’s a dangerous sport and Muslim Tulshaev is one dangerous man #KSW97 | Viaplay | KSWTV pic.twitter.com/DTWoBUZk3Q
— KSW (@KSW_MMA) August 24, 2024
Ducked directly into a full power knee …
OMG!! #APFC12 @UFCFightPass pic.twitter.com/zkwPz3PNeS
— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) August 26, 2024
Random Land
After and before Korean BBQ.
Pikas can adjust their body temperature by changing their posture.
These two common postures are referred to as “puff” and “lounge”. pic.twitter.com/hE9dDvxACk
— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) August 25, 2024
Midnight Music: Rock, 1973
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.