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Belal Muhammad slated to serve as backup to Leon Edwards – Colby Covington title fight at uFC 296

Belal Muhammad set to serve as backup fighter to Leon Edwards and Colby Covington at UFC 296 Streaking welterweight contender, Belal Muhammad has confirmed he will serve as the official backup fighter to next weekend’s undisputed…

Streaking welterweight contender, Belal Muhammad has confirmed he will serve as the official backup fighter to next weekend’s undisputed title fight between former foe, Leon Edwards, and Colby Covington – ahead of the pair’s slated clash at UFC 296 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Muhammad, the current number two ranked division contender, has been sidelined since he landed a one-sided unanimous decision win over former title chaser, Gilbert Burns at UFC 288 back in May, extending his undefeated streak to a stunning 10 consecutive boots.

Headlining UFC 297 next weekend in his second attempted title defense, Birmingham native, Edwards makes his return to ‘Sin City’ – taking on former interim champion, Covington in a long-awaited clash between the duo.

Edwards, the undisputed welterweight champion, headlined UFC 286 back in March of this year in London, turning in a majority decision win over three-time foe and former pound-for-pound number one, Kamaru Usman in the pair’s rubber match trilogy bout.

As for Covington, the Clovis native has been sidelined since he headlined a pay-per-view event against arch-rival and former training partner, former two-time title challenger, Jorge Masvidal back in March of last year – turning in a one-sided judging win over the Floridan veteran.

Belal Muhammad set to serve as backup fighter at UFC 296

And electing to utilize a backup fighter option at UFC 296 next weekend, Illinois native, Muhammad is set to claim that slot, with the surging contender on hand to replace either Edwards or Covington if required at the final flagship event of the year.

“For me, I was training this whole time regardless just in case something happened,” Belal Muhammad told MMA Junkie. “The last two main events on the pay-per-views both got canceled, but since my last fight with Gilbert Burns, I took that one on short-notice and I was like, ‘I never want to get out of shape like this again.’ Because I was so bad before that fight and it was the hardest fight cut ever.”

“So I knew I had to be a professional from then on,” Belal Muhammad explained. “Never getting big like that again.”

Belal Muhammad tipped to land championship fight next ahead of UFC 296: ‘Nothing else makes sense’

Belal Muhammad’s manager is adamant that nothing besides a title shot for the UFC’s welterweight gold makes sense for…

Belal Muhammad’s manager is adamant that nothing besides a title shot for the UFC’s welterweight gold makes sense for his fighter.

Colby Covington and Leon Edwards are set to throw down at UFC 296. Muhammad was hoping to avoid waiting for that fight, but Covington has been blessed with the opportunity by Dana White thanks to ‘Chaos’ filling in as a backup for Edwards’ last fight.

So, despite the prolific winning streak that Muhammad now finds himself on, he will be shelved. Waiting for the conclusion to the Edwards and Covington fight.

Belal Muhammad and management believe a title shot is the only thing that makes sense for his next fight

Riding a 10-fight winning streak, there’s nobody else packing the same heat as Belal Muhammad right now in the welterweight division.

With wins over names such as Gilbert Burns, Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque, and more: Muhammad has proved that he is indeed the clear-cut number-one contender in the division. He’s even been locked in the cage with the welterweight champion Leon Edwards before.

The fight ended as a no-contest, but up until it ended: things looked very close. So, the Belal Muhammad camp believes the next move for their fighter is set in stone. Muhammad deserves a title shot next, and it doesn’t seem as if his camp will settle for anything lesser.

“Dana’s a promoter and whatever Dana says, I take to the bank,” Belal Muhammad’s manager Ali Abdelaziz told MMA Fighting (H/T MMA Fighting). “Dana promised him a title shot. I’ll close my eyes and I’ll sleep [well]. Dana always keeps his word. He’s the No. 1 contender.”

“This is my prediction,” Abdelaziz continued. “I believe something will happen Dec. 16. I believe Belal Muhammad will go there and I believe Belal Muhammad will become the UFC welterweight champion. Even if that doesn’t happen, that’s OK. These two guys fight, the winner will fight Belal Muhammad.”

“Nothing else makes sense for him,” Abdelaziz added. “Not even the Kamaru (Usman) fight, it would have to be financial things but now Kamaru is a middleweight.”

Do you think Muhammad earns the title off of the winner of the Edwards and Covington fight?

Belal Muhammad claims UFC title win over Leon Edwards would put him in GOAT conversation

UFC welterweight, Belal Muhammad believes a title shot should be next for him after the potential fight with Kamaru…

UFC welterweight, Belal Muhammad believes a title shot should be next for him after the potential fight with Kamaru Usman fell through.

Beside a no contest against Leon Edwards in March of 2021, Muhammad has been perfect since his loss to Geoff Neal, racking up nine wins. This includes wins over Gilbert Burns, Stephen Thomspon and Vicente Luque.

Despite this, Muhammad is not fighting for a title next and has been passed over for the largely inactive Colby Covington, who holds only a one fight win streak.

Belal Muhammad lays out title shot plans

Talking at a press event as part of UFC 294, Muhammad discussed what he wants next, and made it very clear that a title shot is the only thing he wants next.

“Yeah, you know we were in talks to fight Kamaru Usman but now Kamaru is fighting Khamzat [Chimaev] so now that leaves the only person to fight for is the for the welterweight belt I’ve already beaten everybody else,” said Muhammad. “I got to get what I deserve and what I’m owed and that’s a title shot.”

When asked on who he would prefer the title shot be against Edwards, and claimed that should he win that fight his resume would be comparable to that of all-time great, George St-Pierre.

“I’d rather fight Leon because that one would mean more to me, it will cement myself as the best welterweight to ever do it,” Muhammad said. “When you look at my resume, it will be up there with GSP’s resume, nobody up there with me. I think Colby, that’ll be one that I want because I’ve always wanted to slap him in his face, I’ve always wanted to punch him. That one would be just for the persona; side of it, I think for career and legacy side it would be Leon.”

Belal Muhammad talks at press conference

Do you think Belal Muhammad should fight for the title next?

Charles Oliveira accused of avoiding UFC 294 fight with Islam Makhachev: ‘He never wanted to go to Abu Dhabi’

Former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira has been accused of never actually wanting to fight rival, Islam Makhachev for…

Former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira has been accused of never actually wanting to fight rival, Islam Makhachev for a second time this weekend at UFC 294 – due to the bout taking place in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Oliveira, the current number one ranked lightweight contender under the banner of the promotion, was slated to headline UFC 294 this weekend in the MIddle East in a championship rematch with Makhachev, however, was forced from the bout on just 10 days’ notice after he suffered a laceration over his right eyebrow.

In his place comes undisputed featherweight champion and pound-for-pound number one, Alexander Volkanovski – who replaces Oliveira and himself lands a title fight rematch with Makhachev at the Etihad Arena.

Belal Muhammad speculates Charles Oliveira got injured on purpose

Sharing his thoughts on Oliveira’s withdrawal, despite claims from the Brazilian himself that he didn’t want to go to Abu Dhabi and fight “unprepared” due to his grisly injury, surging welterweight challenger, Belal Muhammad has claimed Oliveira never wanted to compete in the region in the first place.

“To me, Charles (Oliveira) never wanted to go to Abu Dhabi,” Belal Muhammad said on his Instagram account. “He never wanted to fight in enemy territory, as he said. He wanted it where he wanted it. Do I say he did it purposely? Who knows? But he chose not to fight.”

Belal Muhammad claimed Charles Oliveira never wanted to fight at UFC 294 pic.twitter.com/5hRBisl76M

— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) October 18, 2023

“Charles got what he wanted,” Muhammad explained. “He’s not fighting Abu Dhabi. As a fighter, you understand the game, right? The training is the hardest part. But the biggest fight of your life, the biggest rematch of your life. You get a cut 10 days before the fight in your eyebrow? Who are you training with, bro?”

What are your thoughts on Belal Muhammad’s claims on Charles Oliveira?

Belal Muhammad demands future title clash with Colby Covington after UFC 296: ‘I think he’s the easier fight’

Belal Muhammad will fight whoever he has to in order to get a UFC title shot, but the welterweight title contender does have a preference between Leon Edwards and Colby Covington. Now on a nine-fight winning streak, Muhammad feels that he’s earned a title shot. However, he’s going to have to wait for Leon Edwards […]

Belal Muhammad will fight whoever he has to in order to get a UFC title shot, but the welterweight title contender does have a preference between Leon Edwards and Colby Covington.

Now on a nine-fight winning streak, Muhammad feels that he’s earned a title shot. However, he’s going to have to wait for Leon Edwards to defend his title against Colby Covington first. So, ‘Remember the Name’ is not quite sure which of those names he’ll actually be fighting when he gets his long-awaited and well-earned title shot.

Unfortunately, there are even some rumblings going on that the UFC might need even more convincing before giving Muhammad the opportunity to become a champion. There have been some rumors going on that since Edwards will be occupied with Covington, the UFC might just attempt to arrange a match between former champion Kamaru Usman and Muhammad in the meantime. This would obviously be extremely risky, but would also have the chance of paying off for the young star. With a win over Usman, nobody could refuse Muhammad his long-awaited title shot.

Belal Muhammad shares who he prefers to fight between Colby Covington and Leon Edwards

Speaking to Middle Easy, Muhammad explained the matchup he would prefer to face on his path to becoming a UFC champion. According to the Chicago native, he and Leon Edwards have unfinished business after the way their first fight ended in a no-contest back in 2021 due to an illegal eye-poke.

“I definitely think Colby’s the easier fight for sure,” Belal Muhammad said. “And it will be a funner build-up because he’ll actually talk back and forth. But I would like to fight Leon, just because of the unfinished business we have.”

“And just because it will shut these people up,” Muhammad continued. “These trolls up, that think, ‘Oh man, Leon won four minutes and 59 seconds of a fight, so that means he was going to win the next 21 minutes.’”

“That’s not how fighting works,” He expanded. “I think I’m going to go out there and fight Leon, and I think I’m going to get a finish, and I’ll dominate him and show you guys what really would have happened.”

Do you think Belal Muhammad could actually beat Leon Edwards?

Belal Muhammad emerges as UFC title challenger for Sean Strickland, claims he agreed to fight: ‘I said yes’

Remaining sidelined ahead of an undisputed welterweight title fight between champion, Leon Edwards and former interim gold holder, Colby Covington at UFC 296 in December, surging divisional contender, Belal Muhammad has stunningly revealed he agreed to an offer to fight newly-minted middleweight kingpin, Sean Strickland next. Muhammad, the current number three ranked welterweight contender, has […]

Muhammad, the current number three ranked welterweight contender, has enjoyed an impressive 10-fight undefeated run since 2019, most recently turning in a one-sided unanimous decision victory over one-time title challenger, Gilbert Burns in the pair’s championship-eliminator.

And yet to book a return fight to the Octagon, Illinois native, Muhammad insists he will fight for the undisputed welterweight championship in his return to the Octagon – as he prepares to take in the end-of-year championship bout between the above-mentioned, Edwards and Covington.

Belal Muhammad claims he’s agreed to fight Sean Strickland next

However, in some surprising news overnight, Muhammad has claimed he agreed to fight the previously mentioned, Strickland, who minted himself as the undisputed middleweight champion earlier this month in a unanimous decision upset win over Israel Adesanya.

“I said yes to (Sean) Strickland,” Belal Muhammad posted on his official X account.

I said yes to Strickland

— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) September 27, 2023

Furthermore, speculation began to mount regarding impending fight news for Muhammad, with UFC CEO, Dana White confirming following the Contender Series how the promotion had put together a fight for the 35-year-old pressure fighter.

“Belal Muhammad has a fight,” White told assembled media. “No, I’m not going to tell you [who Muhammad is fighting]. Belal has a fight and we’ll announce it soon.”

During his impressive winning streak through the welterweight ranks, Muhammad, who fought to a 2021 official ‘No Contest’ with Edwards due to an accidental eye poke, has landed triumphs over the likes of Lyman Good, Demian Maia, Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque, Sean Brady, and the above-mentioned, Burns.

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