Belal Muhammad is the brand new welterweight champion after defeating Leon Edwards by way of determination at UFC 304. And with a brand new champion comes new alternatives for the numerous contenders at 170.
Up till final week, former belt holder Kamaru Usman was caught on the skin wanting in after dropping to Edwards twice. Now “The Nigerian Nightmare” is on the high of Muhammad’s listing of potential title challengers.
Talking to ESPN’s Heidi Androl in Abu Dhabi, “Keep in mind The Identify” was requested to decide on between Kamaru Usman and Shavkat Rakhmonov as a title challenger.
“Any one among them,” Muhammad replied. “Usman, clearly, I feel, for legacy. He was one of many greatest names within the division. He’s below GSP, and I feel he’s nonetheless received treading on the tires although he misplaced a detailed battle to Leon after which a very shut battle to to Khamzat. And like I mentioned, I feel title worth, he has a much bigger title.”
“But in addition, I wanna battle the boogeyman,” he added. “The boogeyman that everyone says may beat anyone. He’s gonna stroll by means of anyone. And the best way my profession has been, they’ve all the time been placing me as underdog.”
“I knew even after beating Leon, they might say, ‘Properly, Shavkat will stroll by means of him. He can’t try this to Shavkat.’ I’m simply gonna preserve doing it. I’m gonna do it to each single one of many fighters within the division. Dana White’s simply gotta give me a a time and a date, and I’m able to go.”
Belal has mentioned he desires to be an energetic champion, and he confirmed he was able to go as quickly as a nasty reduce on his nostril from a Leon Edwards elbow heals.
“The silly nostril factor within the final 10 seconds, I gotta get this healed up,” he mentioned. “As soon as it’s healed up, I’ll get again within the gymnasium, get again to work.”
