UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad poked fun at Khamzat Chimaev for allegedly dodging him for a fight in the Octagon.
Muhammad most recently put on arguably the most dominant performance of his career against Stephen Thompson. As the new yea…
UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad poked fun at Khamzat Chimaev for allegedly dodging him for a fight in the Octagon.
Muhammad most recently put on arguably the most dominant performance of his career against Stephen Thompson. As the new year begins, he’s potentially one fight away from a welterweight title shot.
Muhammad has been calling out Chimaev for weeks for a bout. Meanwhile, Chimaev has been eagerly waiting for his return to the Octagon after a decisive win at UFC 267 over Li Jingliang.
Muhammad first called out Chimaev following his latest win. During a recent Instagram post, he jokingly aimed at Chimaev.
Chimaev first became a household name after a memorable 2020. He finished the calendar year with three-straight finishes, including two within 10 days.
As for Muhammad, it’s unclear who he’ll face for his first fight of 2022, but he remains interested in a matchup with the rising Chimaev. Depending on how the welterweight title conversation plays out, these two could battle sooner rather than later.
Muhammad joined the elite at 170 pounds with an emphatic performance at the final UFC event of 2021. In the co-main event slot, “Remember The Name” faced divisional veteran and elite striker Stephen Thompson.
Despite being controlled in his previous fight with Gilbert Burns, many expected “Wonderboy” to get his championship charge back on track by halting the surge of Muhammad. Instead, the 38-year-old fell to back-to-back losses for the second time in his career and slid further away from a third UFC title shot.
Muhammad Explains Why Masvidal Should Accept A Fight With Him
Since extending his unbeaten streak to seven, Belal Muhammad hasn’t shied away from pushing for his next opponent. Having expressed interest in facing surging brute Khamzat Chimaev, top contender Colby Covington, and running it back with Leon Edwards, the 33-year-old has now trained his aim on Jorge Masvidal.
During an interview with TMZ Sports, Muhammad made his desire to stay active and fight for a title shot clear. To achieve that, he believes he should go through “Gamebred” next.
Explaining why the matchup makes sense for Masvidal, Muhammad suggested a victory for the Miami native would allow him the chance to make up for some prior losses.
“I brought up Masvidal. (I’m) right ahead of him. He fought for the title twice, I just beat Maia, who fought for the title twice, I beat Wonderboy, who fought for the title twice, I’ll take Masvidal, who fought for the title twice. I beat two guys that beat him already back-to-back. So maybe for him, beating me would erase those two losses a little bit. I think that fight really makes sense.
“Obviously, big-name value fight (is against) Masvidal. He’s been saying he wants to fight guys that will get him to a title shot, I think fighting a guy like me, who’s right above him, #5, makes a lot of sense… Me against him would be a really good fight, and stylistically, I think think it’s a great fight, and personally, too… My manager slapped his manager in the face, I used to be with his manager but my team fired him, so there’s some stuff there. We could make something out of that one.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CX1Hq8KLocu/
While it remains to be seen whether Masvidal would be willing to drop his pursuit of clashes with arch-nemesis Edwards and former teammate Covington in favor of a fight with Muhammad, the clash certainly makes sense in terms of rankings. It would also achieve his goal of bringing him closer to a trilogy with Kamaru Usman should he emerge victorious over “Remember The Name.”
How do you think a fight between Belal Muhammad and Jorge Masvidal would play out?
UFC welterweight Stephen Thompson has discussed his latest setback in the Octagon and explained what went wrong on the night.
In early 2021, Thompson was riding high off back-to-back wins against Vicente Luque and Geoff Neal. As an in-form top-five…
UFC welterweight Stephen Thompson has discussed his latest setback in the Octagon and explained what went wrong on the night.
In early 2021, Thompson was riding high off back-to-back wins against Vicente Luque and Geoff Neal. As an in-form top-five fighter and one of the few top contenders Kamaru Usman is yet to face, many predicted a title shot down the line.
“Wonderboy” seemingly had the chance to secure one at UFC 264 against Gilbert Burns. Instead, he was controlled and comfortably beaten on the scorecards. With his motivation unwavering, the 38-year-old hoped to get back on track by fitting in another fight before the close of the year.
After Belal Muhammad answered his prayers, many expected Thompson to re-enter the win column and stake his claim for a matchup with the champion. But once again, the two-time title challenger failed to keep the fight on the feet and was dominated throughout, falling to yet another unanimous decision.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CXpb8hGoqNF/
Thompson: “I Got Manhandled For Three Rounds”
During a recent episode of his podcast, Stephen Thompson addressed his defeat and analyzed what went wrong in the UFC Vegas 45 co-main event.
While he conceded that he was “manhandled” for the best part of 15 minutes, Thompson suggested a botched rehydration process may have had a part to play. Despite having a good camp, “Wonderboy” admitted he was a lot more tired and exhausted at the start of the fight, something he says he noticed even before entering the Octagon.
“I lost my fight, got manhandled for three rounds. Yeah man, it was a sucky experience, to be honest with you. Like, you know, I don’t know why this happens but when you know I had a great camp, camp was awesome. I was in the greatest shape of my life, you know. Was in shape, felt strong and then you know things start to kind of get a little weird whenever you’re getting ready to go out you’re in the back kind of warming up and your legs start to feel tingly, that’s not a good sign…Maybe it had something to do with my rehydration; not sure. But I felt exhausted, felt super tired right out of the first round. I didn’t want to say anything to my coaches or anything that my legs were feeling tingly.
“It was the rehydration, that was just difficult. You know back in the past, it was kind of like an unwritten rule or untalked about thing that before USADA, we were allowed to IVs you know and it was kind of… something we did back in our hotel. Everybody did it. It was such an easier way to get those fluids back and you felt so much better, like, instantly. And now having to do everything orally, it’s difficult, it takes longer, you don’t know if you have drank enough.” (h/t Sportskeeda)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CXsFZdFKKS4/
Given his age and losses in 2021, some fans and pundits have suggested Thompson isn’t capable of competing at the highest level anymore. But “Wonderboy” has no plans to hang up his gloves anytime soon.
Having previously revealed his desire to become the oldest fighter in UFC history, Thompson has now questioned why fans want him to retire. According to the 38-year-old, his body feels better than it did five years ago when he fought Tyron Woodley for the title.
“I feel like people that do retire, when they sit down on the chair, they just feel like they should retire. Like just, their bodies beat up, aches and pains… When I sit here and I’m sitting down in this chair, I feel great. I feel fine. I feel fine. I feel better than I was five years ago. I just don’t get it.” (h/t Sportskeeda)
With his motivation to compete as high as ever, we’ll likely be seeing Thompson attempt a resurgence in 2022.
Do you think Stephen Thompson can still compete at the highest level in the UFC welterweight division?
UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad believes the UFC and Dana White need to start pushing him over other top-five guys like Leon Edwards.
Muhammad moved one step closer to the top of the 170-pound mountain this year with victories over a pair…
UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad believes the UFC and Dana White need to start pushing him over other top-five guys like Leon Edwards.
Muhammad moved one step closer to the top of the 170-pound mountain this year with victories over a pair of former title challengers. After a disappointing no contest against Edwards in March, which came after Muhammad was the victim of a nasty eye poke, “Remember The Name” bounced back with a comfortable win against veteran Brazilian Demian Maia at UFC 263.
Following that triumph, Muhammad had his second crack at a top-five opponent, this time in the form of two-time title challenger Stephen Thompson. In the final co-main event of the year, Muhammad broke into the welterweight elite with a dominant performance. After controlling and beating “Wonderboy” for the majority of the contest, the 33-year-old was awarded a unanimous decision on the scorecards.
Now sitting at #5 on the welterweight ladder, Muhammad is unbeaten in seven fights. Since a 2019 defeat to Geoff Neal, the Chicago native has added victories over Lyman Good, Dhiego Lima, Maia, and Edwards to his impressive 20-3 résumé. With that form in mind, Muhammad is likely one impressive victory away over a fellow top-five name from a shot at gold.
During a recent interview with TMZ Sports, Muhammad made his case for a big push towards the title. Addressing UFC President Dana White, “Remember The Name” suggested he’s the contender that “has it all,” something he doesn’t believe #3-ranked Edwards can say about himself.
“Dana, I know you’re watching this, you’ve got four weeks off to think about this. When you really think about it, there are not a lot of guys out here that are promoting themselves like me. I’m a guy that knows how to talk, I’m a guy who knows how to fight, I’m a guy that can fight the best of the best, be with the best of the best, and talk with the best of the best. I’m that guy that has it all.
“You guys are out here trying to push the wrong guys. Leon hasn’t said anything witty or cool in the last like, 10 years. Whenever he opens his mouth, something stupid comes out. I’m the guy that you need to start pushing.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CX9OjMzF1eh/
Muhammad has certainly not been shy to call out other top welterweights since his victory over “Wonderboy” prior to Christmas. As well as calling for a rematch with Edwards and discrediting “Rocky” as a title contender, the 33-year-old has expressed an interest in facing Khamzat Chimaev.
While it remains to be seen which way the promotion will go, we can expect Muhammad to be opposite a big name the next time he steps into the Octagon.
Do you agree with Belal Muhammad? Is he the welterweight the UFC needs to be pushing?
When #5 ranked Welterweight Belal Muhammad dominated Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson this past Saturday night, it was clear he was ready for a major step up in competition. Riding a 6 fight winning streak, Muhammad firmly believes he is deserving of the next welterweight title shot over former opponent Leon Edwards. “I literally fought eight times […]
When #5 ranked Welterweight Belal Muhammad dominated Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson this past Saturday night, it was clear he was ready for a major step up in competition.
Riding a 6 fight winning streak, Muhammad firmly believes he is deserving of the next welterweight title shot over former opponent Leon Edwards.
“I literally fought eight times while Leon’s fought three times in the last two or three years,” Muhammad told MMA Fighting. “I’m the one pushing, I’m the one being active. Dana White says he likes active fighters, he doesn’t like these people waiting. So if I go out there, I get a big win, I think I earned definitely a skip in front of him.
“I feel like I’ve earned a skip in front of him already based off of the level of opponent I fought. I fought [Demian] Maia and ‘Wonderboy’ (Stephen Thompson) back to back. And he’s fought, who did he beat… [Rafael] dos Anjos and Nate Diaz, who are both 55ers. So it’s like, if you really think, he hasn’t fought any ranked 170 pounders that are actually ranked and good right now.” (Transcribed by Sportskeeda)
While Edwards is riding an impressive 10 fight unbeaten streak, he’s only fought twice in the past 2 years. Muhammad on the other hand, fought 4 times in 2021 alone.
When Muhammad and Edwards met in the octagon in March 2021, it ended in a no contest after Edwards poked Muhammad in the eye, rendering him unable to compete. The pair have been going back and forth on social media ever since.
Khamzat Chimaev and Belal Muhammad may or may not fight one another in the Octagon, but they have already engaged in a drawn-out Twitter battle.
Belal Muhammad has gone unbeaten in his last seven fights. Heading into this past Saturday’s UFC Vegas …
Khamzat Chimaev and Belal Muhammad may or may not fight one another in the Octagon, but they have already engaged in a drawn-out Twitter battle.
Belal Muhammad has gone unbeaten in his last seven fights. Heading into this past Saturday’s UFC Vegas 45 event, Muhammad’s latest win had come over legendary grappler Demian Maia at UFC 263. This earned the Chicagoan a headliner opposite Stephen Thompson in what was arguably the most difficult test of Muhammad’s career.
He aced it with flying colors.
Photo: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
For his reward, he moved up a few grade levels up to the #5 ranking in the welterweight division. While Muhammad firmly believes reigning champion Kamaru Usman is in need of some fresh challenges, he’d also be willing to fight undefeated juggernaut Khamzat Chimaev, despite Borz being ranked six spots beneath him at #11.
“When you got a finger in your eye you gave up, how you even gonna think to fight me? Bullshit boy,” Chimaev asked with a series of crying laughing emoji beside his rhetorical question.
Khamzat Chimaev Continues Trolling Muhammad
This was among many other shots Chimaev launched Muhammad’s way in yesterday’s Twitter barrage.
Seeds Planted For Potential Welterweight Showdown?
The only fight that Belal Muhammad did not win in his last seven fights was against Leon Edwards in March, a fight Chimaev referenced in one of his memes. The bout was ruled a no-contest when Muhammad was unable to continue following a gruesome accidental eye poke from Edwards in the second round.
Khamzat Chimaev has been on the hunt for his next opponent ever since making easy work of Li Jingliang at UFC 267. Both he and Dana White have been very public about the struggles they’ve faced in finding a willing opponent for the rising star.
Chimaev’s Twitter exchange with Muhammad could be planting the seeds for a 2022 collision between the two welterweights. Or, it could merely be trash-talking done just to pass the time with no UFC fights on the horizon for the MMA community anytime soon.
Friday morning, Chimaev dropped yet another meme of Muhammad for good measure, this time of a more festive nature.
When #5 ranked Welterweight Belal Muhammad dominated Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson this past Saturday night, it was clear he was ready for a major step up in competition. Riding a 6 fight winning streak, Muhammad firmly believes he is deserving of the next welterweight title shot over former opponent Leon Edwards. “I literally fought eight times […]
