Belal Muhammad
Remember the Name
USA
Title reign ends immediately
Muhammad dropped the UFC Welterweight Championship on Saturday, losing to Jack Della Maddalena via unanimous decision (47-48, 47-48, 46-49) at UFC 315 in Montreal.
ANALYSIS
While the fight was supremely entertaining (it would go on to earn both men $50,000 Fight of the Night bonuses), it was an underwhelming performance from Muhammad as a -200 favorite in his first title defense. It was widely assumed that Belal would have a massive edge in the grappling and thus go to his wrestling game over and over, but he didn't land a takedown until Round 4 and connected on just 3-of-9 takedowns overall. When all was said and done, he was credited with just 3:21 worth of control time. Muhammad landed more than his fair of shots on the feet, but Della Maddalena without question landed the more notable blows. Shockingly, two of the three judges had the fight tied going into Round 5, at which point an exhausted Belal simply couldn't get over the hump. Set to turn 37 years of age this coming July, this setback snaps a 11-fight unbeaten streak (10-0, 1NC) for Muhammad and is his first loss since January 19, 2019, a unanimous decision defeat against Geoff Neal.
While the fight was supremely entertaining (it would go on to earn both men $50,000 Fight of the Night bonuses), it was an underwhelming performance from Muhammad as a -200 favorite in his first title defense. It was widely assumed that Belal would have a massive edge in the grappling and thus go to his wrestling game over and over, but he didn't land a takedown until Round 4 and connected on just 3-of-9 takedowns overall. When all was said and done, he was credited with just 3:21 worth of control time. Muhammad landed more than his fair of shots on the feet, but Della Maddalena without question landed the more notable blows. Shockingly, two of the three judges had the fight tied going into Round 5, at which point an exhausted Belal simply couldn't get over the hump. Set to turn 37 years of age this coming July, this setback snaps a 11-fight unbeaten streak (10-0, 1NC) for Muhammad and is his first loss since January 19, 2019, a unanimous decision defeat against Geoff Neal.
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Next opponent scheduled
Muhammad (foot) will face Jack Della Maddalena for the UFC Welterweight Championship on May 10 in Montreal.
ANALYSIS
Muhammad will look to defend his welterweight belt for the first time as he looks to come back from a foot injury that forced him to withdraw from his last scheduled bout against Shavkat Rakhmonov. This fight was actually supposed to be a re-booking, but Rakhmonov wasn't quite healthy enough to make a May date, though he'll almost certainly face the winner later this year. As for Muhammad, he'll once again look to employ his suffocating wrestling style against the surging Della Maddalena, who is riding a seven-fight winning streak and sports a respectable 70 percent takedown defense.
Muhammad will look to defend his welterweight belt for the first time as he looks to come back from a foot injury that forced him to withdraw from his last scheduled bout against Shavkat Rakhmonov. This fight was actually supposed to be a re-booking, but Rakhmonov wasn't quite healthy enough to make a May date, though he'll almost certainly face the winner later this year. As for Muhammad, he'll once again look to employ his suffocating wrestling style against the surging Della Maddalena, who is riding a seven-fight winning streak and sports a respectable 70 percent takedown defense.
Withdraws from UFC 310
Muhammad (foot) withdrew from his scheduled championship defense against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 on Dec. 7, according to Mike Heck of MMAFighting.com.
ANALYSIS
Muhammad is dealing with a bone infection in one of his feet. He will not be able to undergo any physical activity for six weeks, rendering him incapable of fighting Rakhmonov on Dec. 7. Then was supposed to be Muhammad's first defense of his UFC Welterweight Championship. It is unclear if Rakhmonov will be given a new opponent or if he will wait for Muhammad to recover for a championship fight down the line in 2025.
Muhammad is dealing with a bone infection in one of his feet. He will not be able to undergo any physical activity for six weeks, rendering him incapable of fighting Rakhmonov on Dec. 7. Then was supposed to be Muhammad's first defense of his UFC Welterweight Championship. It is unclear if Rakhmonov will be given a new opponent or if he will wait for Muhammad to recover for a championship fight down the line in 2025.
Scheduled against Rakhmonov
Muhammad will fight Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 on Dec. 7, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Muhammad defeated Leon Edwards at UFC 304 in July to claim the welterweight title, and he'll now look to defend his title against Rakhmonov, who boasts a perfect 18-0 record as a professional (6-0 in UFC).
Muhammad defeated Leon Edwards at UFC 304 in July to claim the welterweight title, and he'll now look to defend his title against Rakhmonov, who boasts a perfect 18-0 record as a professional (6-0 in UFC).
New UFC 170-pound king
Muhammad won the UFC Welterweight Championship on Saturday, defeating Leon Edwards via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) at UFC 304 in Manchester, England.
ANALYSIS
Muhammad deserves full marks for his performance. He went out and did exactly what he said he was going to do. He constantly pressured Edwards on the feet, winning many of the striking exchanges between the two. The constant pressure had Leon worrying about the level change, and Belal responded by landing seven of eight takedowns over the course of the first 15 minutes alone. His lone poor round was the third, when Edwards landed a takedown of his own and Muhammad spent more than four minutes on his back. Yet, Belal got right back on the horse and pinned Leon to the mat the vast majority of the final two rounds. Muhammad did eat a massive elbow with about 30 seconds left, but he had already done enough to lock up the decision. Belal's style of fighting isn't visually pleasing, but between his wrestling, improved striking and elite cardio, he's a problem for any welterweight on the UFC roster. As if winning the belt wasn't enough, Muhammad gets his revenge on Edwards following the accidental eye poke which resulted in the first fight between the two being deemed a no-contest back in March of 2021.
Muhammad deserves full marks for his performance. He went out and did exactly what he said he was going to do. He constantly pressured Edwards on the feet, winning many of the striking exchanges between the two. The constant pressure had Leon worrying about the level change, and Belal responded by landing seven of eight takedowns over the course of the first 15 minutes alone. His lone poor round was the third, when Edwards landed a takedown of his own and Muhammad spent more than four minutes on his back. Yet, Belal got right back on the horse and pinned Leon to the mat the vast majority of the final two rounds. Muhammad did eat a massive elbow with about 30 seconds left, but he had already done enough to lock up the decision. Belal's style of fighting isn't visually pleasing, but between his wrestling, improved striking and elite cardio, he's a problem for any welterweight on the UFC roster. As if winning the belt wasn't enough, Muhammad gets his revenge on Edwards following the accidental eye poke which resulted in the first fight between the two being deemed a no-contest back in March of 2021.
Finally gets title shot
Muhammad will face Leon Edwards for the welterweight title at UFC 304 in Manchester, England on July 27, per Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com.
ANALYSIS
Muhammad will head into the bout riding a nine-fight win streak dating back to 2019. Muhammad and Edwards previously entered the Octagon together in 2021, with the fight resulting in a No-Contest due to an eye poke from Edwards at the start of the second round. Muhammad will certainly have a tough task ahead of him as the five-foot-11 American will have to overcome both a size and reach disadvantage compared to the larger Edwards.
Muhammad will head into the bout riding a nine-fight win streak dating back to 2019. Muhammad and Edwards previously entered the Octagon together in 2021, with the fight resulting in a No-Contest due to an eye poke from Edwards at the start of the second round. Muhammad will certainly have a tough task ahead of him as the five-foot-11 American will have to overcome both a size and reach disadvantage compared to the larger Edwards.