While on the sidelines with an injury, the current 170-pound champion is easy to poke at. Conor McGregor made some nasty comments, while others wanted an interim title bout. UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad does not agree with Shavkat Rakhmonov’s idea of an interim title fight. However, after the UFC 310 PPV title event scratch, he sees some upside to it.
Muhammad (24-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) was to defend his welterweight belt at UFC 310. However, an infection in his toe forced the champion to pull out of the 7 December billing at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. When the news broke, undefeated contender Shavkat Rakhmonov wished him well and wanted to clear the line with an interim clash with anyone.
I could see them trying to do something with Shavkat, but he’s calling for an interim title fight, …It’s like, interim title fight? Bro, it’s six weeks, not six months that I’m off. But even for myself, if they wanted to do that just to make it a main event, I mean, I don’t really care about it…So for me, I know who my next opponent is going to be.
Belal Muhammad on “Remember the Show” Segment for ‘Anik & Florian’ Podcast (@AnikFlorianPodcas)| RTS.139
When the problem arose, Muhammad hoped to avoid delays. But he says a doctor told him the infection needed immediate treatment. In Belal Muhammad’s words, the doctor told him he would recover quickly due to catching on early. Despite recovery, the UFC cannot just put the champion on any card.
They always do it strategically, like putting Jon Jones on the MSG PPV card twice in a row or Israel Adesanya on the Australian PPV card (UFC 293 and UFC 305). Moreover, they have to figure out a main event for UFC 310 since they don’t want Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev on the card.
Kamaru Usman might have signed on as a replacement already after he teased with some emojis online. Unapologetically, “Bully Belal” proved he could go the distance and stir things with anyone. He even had some clinically charged banter on it. So, Belal doesn’t take offense to an interim spot. It only just states who he faces next more clearly.
Belal Muhammad sympathizes with the call for an interim title
The champion weighed in now that the floodgates are open after the UFC 310 pay-per-view (PPV) withdrawal. While Muhammad sees the benefit of an interim title fight, he’s not sure a suitable opponent is available. If Belal Muhammad’s timetable for his return is correct, he will be ready for a fight in early 2025. That would be Rakhmonov’s fight if he waits a little longer.
Ian Machado Garry and Joaquin Buckley put their names in the hat for a potential replacement bout. However, they now square up in the main event of UFC on ESPN 63 in Tampa, Fla. Usman is available, but he shares training circles with Shavkat Rakhmonov.
Australian standout Jack Della Maddalena is also hovering around the top. But rumor mills have him in bad health. In terms of preparation, Muhammad can understand why Rakhmonov would want to keep the same date at UFC 310:
It’s one of those where it’s like – when you’re in the middle of camp, it’s hard, because we were like six weeks left, …So I can understand him, he’s like, ‘Bro, I want to fight.’ That’s the only part: him and Usman are like training partners, and you guys been in the gym with each other right now. Were you guys looking at each other? Watching each other? It’s just weird.
Belal Muhammad further on ‘Anik & Florian’ Podcast (@AnikFlorianPodcas)| RTS.139
In the worst-case scenario, co-main event fighters Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Asakura might move up a slot. Even the flyweight champion Pantoja said as much. He also wants to learn how to promote fights if given the opportunity to headline. However, the final decision rests on UFC’s hands and whoever gets the short-notice opportunity.
