Tag: belal muhammad

‘And New Double Champ’: Belal Muhammad Details Plan to Dethrone Middleweight King Dricus Du Plessis

‘And New Double Champ’: Belal Muhammad Details Plan to Dethrone Middleweight King Dricus Du PlessisThe reigning UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad has set his sights on an ambitious goal: becoming a two-division champion…

‘And New Double Champ’: Belal Muhammad Details Plan to Dethrone Middleweight King Dricus Du Plessis

The reigning UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad has set his sights on an ambitious goal: becoming a two-division champion by defeating UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis. Muhammad, known for his high fight IQ, recently outlined a detailed game plan for how he envisions a potential fight against Du Plessis unfolding.

Belal Muhammad vs. Dricus Du Plessis

‘Remember the Name’ Belal Muhammad is celebrated for his exceptional cardio, defensive skills, and ability to control fights with his wrestling and striking. Born in Chicago, Illinois, to Palestinian parents, Belal Muhammad has steadily risen through the UFC ranks since his debut in 2016 and has now captured the welterweight throne. Despite his dominance at 170 pounds, he remains confident about moving up to middleweight to challenge Du Plessis.

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South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis captured the UFC Middleweight Championship in January 2024 by defeating Sean Strickland and has since defended his title twice, including a submission victory over Israel Adesanya.

In a recent social media post, Muhammad described how he would dismantle Du Plessis over three rounds. He detailed scenarios involving takedowns, ground-and-pound, evasion of strikes, and even flashy moves like a flying knee. Belal Muhammad explained:

“I’d come out him with a 1-2 then he’d wing an overhand I’ll duck it change levels and take him down then he’d shrimp and get the underhook to get out but he’ll be to weak to get up so then I’ll hit him with ground and pound for the rest of round 1. Round 2 starts and I come out with a flying knee he shells up then I hit him with the zabit back trip then point and laugh at him (this makes him mad) he gets up and charges foward winging punches at me I slide out of the way with ease then hit him with a 1-2

“then he gets frustrated shoots for a takedown I defend with ease but now he’s tired and stays on his knees I kick him to the body while he’s on the ground. End of round 2. .. round 3 starts and he’s distraught he can’t hit me he can’t take me down so then he tries spinning stuff I back up at the right time and end up taking his back he lets me under chin out of frustration then I put him to sleep … and new double champ.”

The prospect of a clash between Muhammad and Du Plessis represents an intriguing storyline for fans eager to see champions test their limits. As both fighters continue their respective journeys in the UFC, only time will tell if this potential matchup becomes a reality. For now, Belal Muhammad’s bold proclamation adds another layer for this potential showdown.

Leon Edwards Names Belal Muhammad The ‘Worst Fighter Of All Time’, Targets Rematch In ‘Normal Time’

Former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards’ disdain for Belal Muhammad hasn’t appeared to dissipate in the months on from their title showdown in Manchester. Edwards and Muhammad ran their rivalry back last July in England, sharing the Octagon again three years on from a UFC Fight Night headliner at the Apex that ended in a […]

Former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards’ disdain for Belal Muhammad hasn’t appeared to dissipate in the months on from their title showdown in Manchester.

Edwards and Muhammad ran their rivalry back last July in England, sharing the Octagon again three years on from a UFC Fight Night headliner at the Apex that ended in a disappointing no contest.

With animosity from that clash continuing to build, there was certainly no love lost between the pair when “Remember the Name” challenged for “Rocky’s” 170-pound gold at UFC 304 inside the Co-op Live.

Courtesy of a dominant performance across five rounds, Muhammad ultimately had the last laugh — at least for now.

The Jamaica-born Brit has repeatedly expressed his desire to exact revenge on Muhammad, and he expects to earn the chance to do so by defeating Jack Della Maddalena in the UFC Fight Night London main event next month.

Despite how their second bout unfolded, Edwards still doesn’t have much respect for the champ’s skillset, believing he’ll make a quick return to the throne.

During an appearance on The Louis Theroux Podcast, Edwards was asked the old-age question of who he perceives to be the greatest fighter. This time, however, the topic also strayed to the worst, providing “Rocky” with the chance to take a jab at his arch-nemisis.

“For me, I would say Jon Jones,” Edwards said when discussing the best fighter of all time. “My second best is Anderson Silva.

“(Worst?) Belal… I’d love to run it back,” Edwards continued. “Normal time. I’d love to run it back again (in 2025).”

Edwards has continued to put his decision loss in July 2024 down to the unusual fight timings, which saw him defending his title on home soil at gone 5 a.m. local time.

“Rocky” will look to prove that as the key factor in last year’s result by working his way back to the top and levelling the score with Muhammad in their ongoing feud.

For the time being, Edwards will need to have full focus on the dangerous Della Maddalena. Muhammad, meanwhile, is expected to figure in a rearranged showdown with Shavkat Rakhmonov for his delayed first title defense.

Islam Makhachev Teases Change Of Stance On Fighting ‘Friend’ Belal Muhammad: ‘We Will See How The (Rakhmonov) Fight Goes…’

Islam Makhachev has made it very clear in recent times that his goal is to become a two-weight world champion by moving up to welterweight. He’s already tied for the second longest win streak in UFC history, meaning that isn’t exactly a whole queue of new and exciting opponents for him to face at lightweight. […]

Islam Makhachev has made it very clear in recent times that his goal is to become a two-weight world champion by moving up to welterweight. He’s already tied for the second longest win streak in UFC history, meaning that isn’t exactly a whole queue of new and exciting opponents for him to face at lightweight.

It would be a shame if we don’t get to see the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the sport today get the opportunity to really test himself and in some ways, now might be the right time to pull the trigger. However, there is one issue with that plan.

Belal Muhammad has previously spent time training with Makhachev and the rest of their team before he won the 170-pound title at UFC 304 in July last year. Even if they both agreed to face each other, Muhammad already has his next title challenger lined up after Shavkat Rakhmonov defeated Ian Garry at UFC 310 when the champion withdrew due to an injury.

In the following video, originally posted by Ushatayka, the 155-pound king talks about the options for his next fight where he suggests that two-weight supremacy will be his next challenge.

“I don’t see a lot of work to do in my division, I beat almost everybody. I think about moving up to 170 and I can stay there.”

There is, of course, the small matter of his former training partner being the current champion at welterweight but Makhachev has made comments both before and after UFC 311 which suggest that he isn’t against the idea of challenging Muhammad if it means getting his hands on a second belt. He said that whilst he isn’t going to say anything for sure, there are conversations that need to happen in the near future.

“I don’t want to make any statements, we will see how the fight goes. I have not spoken to the UFC since my last fight, we need to sit and talk these moments.”

Belal Muhammad Attempts To Put Kamaru Usman In His Place: ‘You’re Just A Podcaster Now!’

UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad hasn’t liked the recent remarks coming from the mouth of his division’s former titleholder, Kamaru Usman. Usman hasn’t competed since October 2023, sitting out the entirety of 2024 following a narrow decision loss to the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev up at middleweight. Prior to that, he suffered consecutive defeats at the […]

UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad hasn’t liked the recent remarks coming from the mouth of his division’s former titleholder, Kamaru Usman.

Usman hasn’t competed since October 2023, sitting out the entirety of 2024 following a narrow decision loss to the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev up at middleweight.

Prior to that, he suffered consecutive defeats at the hands of Leon Edwards, once to lose the title and then to fail in his attempt at regaining it.

Nevertheless, “The Nigerian Nightmare” hasn’t lost faith in his ability to still compete at the top, something he plans to prove in his return later this year.

Though it remains to be seen what opposition that could come against, Usman won’t be short on options. He’s spent recent times berating those in the division who frequently call him out, outlining that he will face whomever once fit and healthy.

But during a recent appearance on MMA Junkie Radio, Muhammad criticized the tone of those comments with a fiery onslaught, which included him branding Usman a “coward” and “just a podcaster.”

“It’s so funny when you have a guy like him, right?” Muhammad said. “He’s on a three-fight losing streak, and when these guys are calling him out, he’s acting like — he’s putting himself on this pedestal like he’s still the champion, like they shouldn’t be calling him out. Bro, you’re just a podcaster now. You haven’t fought in over a year, and if you’re not gonna defend your ranking, then leave, quit!

“I just need Usman to get a win,” Muhammad continued. “Like, he sucks so bad right now, like it’s just embarrassing where I just feel bad for him. Like he goes out there, you obviously have to fight somebody that’s on a streak. I think (Joaquin) Buckley called him out. Buckley’s been killing it at 170 (pounds). He just made Colby (Covington) look like a rookie. I think he goes out there and figures out a way to beat him. I know they offered him JDM (Jack Della Maddalena), but he turned it down because he’s a coward.”

The pair’s heated exchanges have certainly set the stage nicely for a possible showdown. For the time being, though, that is some way off from coming to fruition.

Muhammad will first have his sights on Shavkat Rakhmonov. After the cancellation of their planned headliner at UFC 310 last month following an injury to the champ, they’re expected to renew hostilities for the next welterweight title fight.

Usman, meanwhile, remains at the very least one win over a high-ranked contender away from reinserting himself into the championship conversation.

Belal Muhammad Attempts To Put Kamaru Usman In His Place: ‘You’re Just A Podcaster Now!’

UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad hasn’t liked the recent remarks coming from the mouth of his division’s former titleholder, Kamaru Usman. Usman hasn’t competed since October 2023, sitting out the entirety of 2024 following a narrow decision loss to the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev up at middleweight. Prior to that, he suffered consecutive defeats at the […]

UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad hasn’t liked the recent remarks coming from the mouth of his division’s former titleholder, Kamaru Usman.

Usman hasn’t competed since October 2023, sitting out the entirety of 2024 following a narrow decision loss to the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev up at middleweight.

Prior to that, he suffered consecutive defeats at the hands of Leon Edwards, once to lose the title and then to fail in his attempt at regaining it.

Nevertheless, “The Nigerian Nightmare” hasn’t lost faith in his ability to still compete at the top, something he plans to prove in his return later this year.

Though it remains to be seen what opposition that could come against, Usman won’t be short on options. He’s spent recent times berating those in the division who frequently call him out, outlining that he will face whomever once fit and healthy.

But during a recent appearance on MMA Junkie Radio, Muhammad criticized the tone of those comments with a fiery onslaught, which included him branding Usman a “coward” and “just a podcaster.”

“It’s so funny when you have a guy like him, right?” Muhammad said. “He’s on a three-fight losing streak, and when these guys are calling him out, he’s acting like — he’s putting himself on this pedestal like he’s still the champion, like they shouldn’t be calling him out. Bro, you’re just a podcaster now. You haven’t fought in over a year, and if you’re not gonna defend your ranking, then leave, quit!

“I just need Usman to get a win,” Muhammad continued. “Like, he sucks so bad right now, like it’s just embarrassing where I just feel bad for him. Like he goes out there, you obviously have to fight somebody that’s on a streak. I think (Joaquin) Buckley called him out. Buckley’s been killing it at 170 (pounds). He just made Colby (Covington) look like a rookie. I think he goes out there and figures out a way to beat him. I know they offered him JDM (Jack Della Maddalena), but he turned it down because he’s a coward.”

The pair’s heated exchanges have certainly set the stage nicely for a possible showdown. For the time being, though, that is some way off from coming to fruition.

Muhammad will first have his sights on Shavkat Rakhmonov. After the cancellation of their planned headliner at UFC 310 last month following an injury to the champ, they’re expected to renew hostilities for the next welterweight title fight.

Usman, meanwhile, remains at the very least one win over a high-ranked contender away from reinserting himself into the championship conversation.

Belal Muhammad Mocks Colby Covington After Dominant UFC Tampa Loss: ‘He Just Sucks’

UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad was among those roasting the polarizing Colby Covington after his latest defeat. Saturday proved to be a difficult night for Covington, as the former interim titleholder returned to action for the first time since a third failed bid at securing the undisputed crown against Leon Edwards last December. In his […]

UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad was among those roasting the polarizing Colby Covington after his latest defeat.

Saturday proved to be a difficult night for Covington, as the former interim titleholder returned to action for the first time since a third failed bid at securing the undisputed crown against Leon Edwards last December.

In his push to reinsert himself into the championship equation, “Chaos” accepted a short-notice UFC Fight Night headliner opposite the charging Joaquin Buckley in Tampa, looking to hand “New Mansa” his first loss since dropping to the division.

But the controversial veteran convincingly failed in that task, with Buckley putting a beating on him en route to a TKO via doctor’s stoppage in round three.

While a cut caused the bout’s end, there was little doubt over who was having the better of things. That, unsurprisingly, brought out Covington’s sizable group of enemies and detractors.

As expected, champ Muhammad was among those enjoying the result…

“(laughing) man I knows he’s gonna have a bunch of excuses but he just sucks,” Muhammad wrote on X.

Muhammad and Covington have frequently gone back and forth across recent years.

But with the former on the throne following his win over Edwards this past July and the latter far from challenging for it again post-UFC Tampa, it would appear that the chances of the pair settling their score inside the cage are now slim.