Tag: belal muhammad

Belal Muhammad Decides: Kamaru Usman or Shavkat Rakhmonov next?

Belal Muhammad Decides: Kamaru Usman or Shavkat Rakhmonov next?With Belal Muhammad now sitting atop the welterweight division, ex-titleholder Kamaru Usman may have found his way back in….

Belal Muhammad Decides: Kamaru Usman or Shavkat Rakhmonov next?

With Belal Muhammad now sitting atop the welterweight division, ex-titleholder Kamaru Usman may have found his way back in.

Having lost back-to-back bouts against Leon Edwards, the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ has been stuck sitting on the outside looking in. That’s no longer the case after Muhammad delivered a dominant five-round showing against ‘Rocky’ to claim the 170-pound crown at UFC 304 in Manchester. Now, ‘Remember The Name’ has an assortment of potential contenders lining up.

Belal Muhammad

Of them, the two most intriguing appear to be Usman and undefeated finisher Shavkat Rakhmonov.

Speaking with ESPN’s Heidi Androl while attending Saturday’s UFC event in Abu Dhabi, Muhammad was asked to choose who he’d rather face between them.

“Any one of them,” Muhammad replied. “Usman, obviously, I think, for legacy. He was one of the biggest names in the division. He’s under GSP, and I think he’s still got treading on the tires even though he lost a close fight to Leon and then a really close fight to to Khamzat. And like I said, I think name value, he has a bigger name.”

“But also, I wanna fight the boogeyman. The boogeyman that everybody says could beat anybody. He’s gonna walk through anybody. And the way my career has been, they’ve always been putting me as underdog.”

“I knew even after beating Leon, they would say, ‘Well, Shavkat will walk through him. He can’t do that to Shavkat.’ I’m just gonna keep doing it,” he added. “I’m gonna do it to every single one of the fighters in the division. Dana White’s just gotta give me a a time and a date, and I’m ready to go” (h/t MMA Mania).

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Belal Muhammad plans to defend his title in 2024

Muhammad plans to be an active champion, targeting a return in either November or December. But first, he’ll have to heal up after eating a nasty elbow from Edwards in the closing seconds of their title tilt.

“The stupid nose thing in the last 10 seconds, I gotta get this healed up,” he said. “Once it’s healed up, I’ll get back in the gym, get back to work.”

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Muhammad’s win over Edwards extended his unbeaten streak to 10, a run that dates back to his win over Curtis Millender at UFC 236 in April 2019. It was the first loss for ‘Rocky’ in more than eight years.

‘I was tired’: Dana White explains sour face at UFC 304 during Belal Muhammad decision

‘I Was Tired’: Dana White Explains Sour Face at UFC 304 During Belal Muhammad DecisionUFC CEO, Dana White has defended an alleged sour puss on display during this month’s pay-per-view return to Manchester…

‘I Was Tired’: Dana White Explains Sour Face at UFC 304 During Belal Muhammad Decision

UFC CEO, Dana White has defended an alleged sour puss on display during this month’s pay-per-view return to Manchester – claiming he was simply just “tired” when strapping the welterweight belt around the newly-minted, Belal Muhammad.

Seeing the Octagon return to Manchester for the first time since 2017, the promotion hosted a championship doubleheader in the ‘Rainy City’ – with both the heavyweight and welterweight crowns on the line.

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Successfully defending his interim crown, Tom Aspinall made short work of perennial contender, Curtis Blaydes in a first round onslaught, turning in a knockout win.

And in the night’s headliner, the above-mentioned, Illinois native, Muhammad managed to scoop the undisputed welterweight championship with a stunning unanimous decision win over two-time foe, Leon Edwards in the pair’s rematch, snatching the crown.

Belal Muhammad Blasts Colby Covington: ‘He’s a Joke – I Beg You, Let Me See You in Public'

To much upset, Muhammad had gained the throne and has already welcomed potential suitors to his title in the form of former gold holder, Kamaru Usman, as well as unbeaten finishing star, Shavkat Rakhmonov in his immediate return.

Dana White defends UFC 304 form

Appearing in a bad humor during his post-fight media availability, Dana White has now claimed he was simply just tired – with the event ending at 7 am local time in Manchester.

Dana White plans to scrap bonus pay increase after UFC 304: 'There was no sense of urgency'

“Let me say this to be fair, I was tired,” Dana White told Kevin Iole during a recent interview. “I was in a bad mood. I was, you know, at that press conference, and you know it depends on when you catch me. Everybody thinks that I don’t like Belal, stuff posted that like Dana is going to commit suicide right now because Leon – that’s the furthest thing from the truth.”

Along with the likes of Rakhmonov and Usman, undisputed champion, Muhammad claims he would also take on Colby Covington ‘on sight’ – after the latter accused him of steroid use. 

Belal Muhammad On If Kamaru Usman Or Shavkat Rakhmonov Gets Next UFC Welterweight Title Shot: ‘I Think He’s Still Got Tread In The Tyres…’ 

Newly crowned UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad sees the merits of facing both Kamaru Usman and Shavkat Rakhmonov for his first title defense. Muhammad finds himself on the throne after making the most of his first shot at glory on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage late last month. “Remember the Name” crossed the pond to […]

Continue Reading Belal Muhammad On If Kamaru Usman Or Shavkat Rakhmonov Gets Next UFC Welterweight Title Shot: ‘I Think He’s Still Got Tread In The Tyres…’  at MMA News.

Newly crowned UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad sees the merits of facing both Kamaru Usman and Shavkat Rakhmonov for his first title defense.

Muhammad finds himself on the throne after making the most of his first shot at glory on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage late last month. “Remember the Name” crossed the pond to challenge Leon Edwards at the UFC 304 pay-per-view event in Manchester, England.

Amid a hostile reception, Muhammad delivered on his promise to emphatically unseat “Rocky” in the main event, utilizing his grappling and ever-improving striking to control large parts of the five-round contest en route to a comfortable decision win.

As is always the case following a title win, talk has quickly turned to the welterweight division’s next championship matchup and who could be the first to test Muhammad’s reign.

The champ has a ‘bring one, bring them all’ mindset…

Muhammad Asked To Choose Between Usman, Rakhmonov

During a recent interview for ESPN MMA while in Abu Dhabi for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night, Muhammad reflected on his championship triumph in Manchester and looked ahead to what could be next for him inside the Octagon.

“Remember the Name” acknowledged the benefits that would come with fighting one of the division’s all-time greats in Usman for his first defense, but he also reiterated his desire to take Rakhmonov’s 0.

“Anyone of them, right? Usman, obviously I think for legacy,” Muhammad said. “He’s one of the biggest names in the division, he’s under GSP, and I think he’s still got tread in the tyres, even though he lost the close fight to Leon and then the really close fight to Khamzat.

“I think name value, he has the bigger name. But also, I want to fight the boogeyman,” Muhammad continued. “The boogeyman that everybody says can beat anybody, is gonna walk through anybody. … I knew after beating Leon, they would say, ‘Well, Shavkat will walk through him! He can’t do that to Shavkat!’ I’m just gonna keep doing it. … Dana White, you just got to give me the time and date and I’m ready to go.”

Both “The Nigerian Nightmare” and “Nomad” have been staking their claims for the first shot at Muhammad, with the former most recently having a somewhat heated back and forth with the champ on social media.

While Usman hasn’t competed at welterweight since falling short against Edwards in their trilogy fight last year, the most recent victory in Rakhmonov’s undefeated run in the weight class came over Stephen Thompson last December.

Continue Reading Belal Muhammad On If Kamaru Usman Or Shavkat Rakhmonov Gets Next UFC Welterweight Title Shot: ‘I Think He’s Still Got Tread In The Tyres…’  at MMA News.

‘You Messed It Up’: Dana White Called Out for Lackluster UFC 304

Dana WhiteTwo top MMA analysts aren’t buying what UFC CEO Dana White is selling when it comes to some of…

Dana White

Two top MMA analysts aren’t buying what UFC CEO Dana White is selling when it comes to some of his post-fight remarks at UFC 304.

UFC 304 in Manchester last month featured two impressive title wins, capped off by Belal Muhammad’s upset victory over Leon Edwards in the main event. UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall retained his belt with a wild finish to Curtis Blaydes in the co-main event.

While the top of the card delivered plenty of storylines, UFC 304 featured seven consecutive decisions, a streak snapped by Paddy Pimblett’s submission of King Green on the main card. The UFC 304 fights began in the middle of the night in Manchester, leading to some low-output showings in the Octagon.

After UFC 304, White appeared to dismiss that the unideal fight times had an impact on the event quality. This was despite some fight fans in attendance falling asleep at the venue as the matchups played out.

Dana White Questioned For Scathing Post-UFC 304 Comments

During a recent episode of Weighing In, ‘Big’ John McCarthy picked apart White’s disgruntled post-UFC 304 comments.

“When you’re pointing one finger forward, there’s three coming back at you Josh and you got to look at those and you gotta say well, we did put these fighters in a position where they were fighting at 3 o’clock in the morning, 4 o’clock in the morning, 5 o’clock in the morning,” McCarthy said of White. “No one works out at those times, no one fights at those times. It is an unusual situation and even if you try to prepare for it, it’s odd. It’s just an odd time for you, your body doesn’t feel the same, you don’t feel like you’re on top of things.” (h/t MMANews)

McCarthy’s co-host, former UFC standout Josh Thomson, didn’t hold back in his criticism of White’s post-event remarks.

“You kind of offset both parties by doing this,” Thomson said of White. “What happens is when you go to another country and they’re there five days before, some of them get there seven days before, some of the staff, and sometimes that’s not good. But, what I’m saying though is that now you’ve asked them to stay awake during the night so they can be awake during the night…

“So, the ones that come from the states that work for the UFC, their body clock is trying to change to get adjusted to the UK time when in fact they can’t because their show is at 5 in the morning,” Thomson continued on White. “Then, the fighters that are there, they’re getting all screwed up because they’re having to fight when they’re normally sleeping. So you really kind of messed up both sides of this equation. You messed it up for the people that work for the promotion and some of the fighters that came over having to fight.”

White has shown zero intentions of modifying future UK event start times after UFC 304. Aspinall and others pleaded with White and the UFC matchmakers to change the event schedule ahead of UFC 304, to no avail.

Belal Muhammad blasts Colby Covington: ‘He’s a joke — I beg you, let me see you in public’

Belal Muhammad Blasts Colby Covington: ‘He’s a Joke – I Beg You, Let Me See You in Public'Reacting to recent comments from former interim champion, Colby Covington off the back of his undisputed championship win, the…

Belal Muhammad Blasts Colby Covington: ‘He’s a Joke – I Beg You, Let Me See You in Public'

Reacting to recent comments from former interim champion, Colby Covington off the back of his undisputed championship win, the newly-minted, Belal Muhammad has claimed it would be ‘on sight’ with the outspoken veteran if they meet soon.

Muhammad, the current undisputed welterweight champion, ended the run of two-time opponent, Leon Edwards last weekend in the main event of UFC 304, defeating the Birmingham native with a one-sided unanimous decision victory in Manchester.

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Himself sidelined since he unsuccessfully challenged Edwards for gold in December of last year, Covington suffered his own shutout decision loss – with his most recent win coming the year prior in a grudge fight judging win against former training partner, Jorge Masvidal.

Belal Muhammad laughs off Leon Edwards' cardio 'It is hilarious'

Belal Muhammad reacts to Colby Covington steroid accuses

Welcoming the chance to take on former champion and still number one contender, Kamaru Usman – or the unbeaten finishing star, Shavkat Rakhmonov next in his first defense of the welterweight crown, Muhammad has hit out at Clovis native, Covington in brutal fashion.

Ray Longo rips atrocious Colby Covington after UFC 296 trash talk I have no use for the guy
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari – Zuffa LLC

“He’s (Colby Covington) a joke, right?” Belal Muhammad told MMA Junkie. Like, literally everything he says is a joke. What is he, 0-3 in title fights? All I needed was one time to do it. You’ll never touch the gold. You’ll never be who I am. Just keep talking, bro. You said keep that same energy when I see you. Please, I beg you let me see you. I beg you, let me see you in public.”

“Unless he actually fights any of these other guys, he’s not gonna get another shot,” Belal Muhammad explained. “But I hope he goes on a good run, beat some of these contenders and figures out a way to fight me in the cage. But all you’ve got to do is find me at a steakhouse and you’ll keep that same energy.”

Who would win in a future fight: Belal Muhammad or Colby Covington?

MMA News Today: Sean O’Malley Criticizes Conor McGregor’s ‘Slow & Sloppy’ Pad Work, Amped Up Belal Muhammad & Alexander Volkanovski Trade Barbs After UFC 304, & More

Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For August 2, 2024, we’re taking a look at: Sean O’Malley Critiques Conor McGregor’s Latest Pad Work Video On Social Media After taking some time to recover from his injury that led to the cancellation of his […]

Continue Reading MMA News Today: Sean O’Malley Criticizes Conor McGregor’s ‘Slow & Sloppy’ Pad Work, Amped Up Belal Muhammad & Alexander Volkanovski Trade Barbs After UFC 304, & More at MMA News.

Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For August 2, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

  • O’Malley reviews latest McGregor footage
  • Muhammad and Volkanovski trade words after UFC 304 comments
  • Former strawweight champion set to return at UFC 307

Sean O’Malley Critiques Conor McGregor’s Latest Pad Work Video On Social Media

After taking some time to recover from his injury that led to the cancellation of his return at UFC 303, Conor McGregor appears to be getting back to work.

“The Notorious” is hopeful of returning later this year but he appeared to have taken his foot off the gas once June 29 was ruled out.

His latest training footage came courtesy of his own social media accounts, with the Irishman seen working on his boxing and hitting pads.

UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley, who has engaged in some interactions with McGregor as of late, gave his review via a reply to the post.

McGregor also commented in response, calling for O’Malley to try and do better whilst telling him to “cheer up”.

Belal Muhammad & Alexander Volkanovski Beef After Pre-Fight Comments

During a recent episode of Remember The Show, Belal Muhammad hit back at all his fellow fighters that doubted him ahead of UFC 304.

The new welterweight champion specifically referenced Alexander Volkanovski, who was in attendance this past weekend in Manchester, and suggested that Muhammad would be a good style clash for him.

“You guys were hating, all these guys wanted to come out. Volkanovski, ‘Man I think Belal’s a good match-up for me if I fight him.’ Shut up bro, I’ll smack the hell out of you. All these guys right, there’s nobody in the UFC that will beat me.”

Volkanovski responded on social media where he doubled down on his previous statement and told Muhammad to say that to him the next time they cross paths.

“@bullyb170 you have every reason to hate on what I said about you being a good stylistic match up for me but I truly believe that, even after your last fight, you didn’t show me anything different. You still mad because I accidentally missed your call…pathetic! Say ‘shut up, I’ll smack the shit out of you’ to my face and see what happens.”

“Remember The Name” had the final word on the matter in a follow-up post with a short and to the point message.

Carla Esparza Set To Return At UFC 307 In Utah Against Former Foe

Former UFC strawweight champion Carla Esparza is expected to return for the first time since losing her title to Weili Zhang in November of 2022.

She took the majority of 2023 and 2024 off after giving birth to her son and is now targeted to compete in a rematch at UFC 307 on October 5.

Esparza and Tecia Pennington first met back on The Ultimate Fighter a decade ago with “Cookie Monster” getting the nod in that quarterfinal clash before going on to win the series.

MMA Junkie’s Nolan King reported the fight which will see both women look to return to the win column for the first time in several years.

Read more on the story here.

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