Belal Muhammad is getting ready for his first title protection with the reigning UFC welterweight champion almost definitely returning in December.
That’s in keeping with his supervisor Ali Abdelaziz, who confirmed that Muhammad is coaching and able to battle earlier than the tip of the yr.
“Belal is able to go in December,” Abdelaziz informed MMA Preventing. “No downside. We’re able to go, however the UFC has to announce. I can’t be asserting a battle in your podcast. Probably you’re going to see for certain Belal in December. Towards who, the place, when, it is a Dana White query.
“It may be Shavkat [Rakhmonov]. It may be [Kamaru] Usman. It may be regardless of the UFC needs. I mentioned if you happen to’re the champ, it’s a must to defend the title towards [whoever] they’re going to provide you. It doesn’t matter who.”
If December occurs, Muhammad would nearly actually battle at UFC 310, which is scheduled on Dec. 7 at T-Cellular Area in Las Vegas.
So far as potential opponents, Muhammad has seemingly singled out undefeated contender Shavkat Rakhmonov as his almost definitely problem, though he’s undoubtedly engaged in a disagreement with former champion Kamaru Usman as effectively.
Abdelaziz truly manages each Muhammad and Usman and he expects that battle to occur in some unspecified time in the future sooner or later, nevertheless it’s simply unclear if that’s the one which occurs subsequent.
“Kamaru is one in every of my greatest mates, my brother, Belal is my brother, I really like each of those guys,” Abdelaziz mentioned. “On the finish of the day, two alpha males. Kamaru maintain this crown for a very long time, Belal has earned the crown. He’s the king now. Kamaru believes he can nonetheless be the king. I believe these guys don’t respect one another an excessive amount of, to be trustworthy with you.
“You may just about see these guys battle sooner or later for certain. I believe one of many greatest fights within the welterweight division is Kamaru vs. Belal. It’s not even shut. No person even shut. Belal wants large names to certify himself as one of many biggest welterweights of all time. He wants Kamaru Usman. Kamaru is the king of the welterweight division. Dana White says he’s the best of all-time. When these two guys battle, it is going to be one of many greatest fights within the welterweight division on the time.”
For his half, Abdelaziz guarantees that he’s not going to become involved within the disagreement between two of his fighters. He’s been right here earlier than. Abdelaziz says his solely job is ensuring the fighters keep wholesome, they get all the things they want from him, and each find yourself with larger financial institution accounts when it’s throughout.
“They’ll battle,” Abdelaziz mentioned. “On the finish of the day, they’re two grown males. They each need the identical factor. I’m in the midst of this and my job is after they each battle I’m going to ensure they make a complete bunch of cash and so they obtained all the things they want.
“Look, Marlon Moraes fought Henry Cejudo. Kamaru fought Gilbert [Burns]. Justin Gaethje fought Khabib [Nurmagomedov], all for the title, and I keep impartial. I’ll stay the identical.”
Whether or not it’s Rakhmonov or Usman, Abdelaziz says that Muhammad isn’t going to again down from any challenges thrown his means. He waited so lengthy to get his title shot that his supervisor believes Muhammad could be very anxious to start his championship reign.
“Belal will battle anyone, too, don’t get it twisted,” Abdelaziz mentioned. “Belal is just not afraid of any man on this planet. He’s the champ for a purpose. Kamaru additionally is just not afraid of anyone. I’m certain Shavkat is just not afraid of anyone. Once you come to those high 5 guys, no one can say these guys are afraid or ducking anyone.
“The man who’s been ducking individuals for years and he by no means fights is Colby Covington. He solely fights when it’s handy for him. That’s the one man I can say geese individuals. Not anyone else.”
