Belal Muhammad suggests Shavkat Rakhmonov fight Kamaru Usman to earn title shot

Belal Muhammad has no downside taking part in matchmaker for the highest welterweight contenders.

The just lately topped champion is already fielding potential challengers after capturing the belt with a lopsided choice win over Leon Edwards at UFC 304 this previous July. Nonetheless, Muhammad gained’t decide to a No. 1 contender, even with the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov sizzling on his heels.

Rakhmonov, 18-0 as a professional and 6-0 within the UFC, just lately made the declare to MMA Combating that he was supplied a combat with Muhammad for UFC 307 in October that the champion declined as a result of timing not figuring out.

That’s information to Muhammad, who scoffed at strategies that he must ebook a combat quickly in a social media put up. He added that he want to see Rakhmonov combat former champion Kamaru Usman in a title eliminator bout first.

“Inactive?” Muhammad wrote. “LOL. I’m nonetheless on trial and Shavkat hasn’t fought since 2023. I feel Shavkat and Usman ought to combat to search out the actual primary contender.”

Muhammad had an extended path to the title himself, having to win 10 straight bouts (excluding one no-contest) to ebook his shot towards Edwards, and he’s in no hurry to spice up anybody else’s contender marketing campaign.

Although Rakhmonov has finished sufficient to rightfully problem the champion, the chance looms that Usman may very well be granted the chance as an alternative. Usman held the UFC welterweight title for over two years and efficiently defended it 5 instances, so he has these earlier accolades and title worth on his facet.

Hurting Usman’s case is the truth that he’s coming off of three straight losses. He misplaced a majority choice to Khamzat Chimaev in a middleweight bout after stepping in on brief discover to face the undefeated fighter, and in addition misplaced consecutive championship bouts to Edwards. Usman hasn’t recorded a victory since defeating Colby Covington at UFC 268 in November 2021.