Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Belal Muhammad
The UFC is making its debut on the ESPN family of networks, where bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw will look to pick up his second belt. Jon Litterine breaks down a few key fights and makes his picks.
The UFC is in Utica, New York on Friday (yes, Friday), featuring a bantamweight showcase in the main event. Jon Litterine breaks down the main card and makes his picks.
Is Fabricio Werdum next up for a heavyweight title shot after his victory over Marcin Tybura? Richard Mann is back for a stats-based breakdown of Saturday's event.
Two heavyweights collide in the main event of Saturday's card in Australia. RotoWire MMA analyst Jon Litterine is back to discuss the best daily fantasy plays and make his picks.
There were some unexpected outcomes at UFC 213. Richard Mann has the statistical breakdown.
More Fantasy News
Loss snaps four-fight win streak
Muhammad lost to Geoff Neal via unanimous decision (28-29, 27-30, 27-30) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Brooklyn.
ANALYSIS
Muhammad displayed exceptional toughness in what was essentially a 15-minute kickboxing match. He failed on all eight of his takedown attempts and was forced to stand and trade with the heavy-handed Neal. He got the short end of the stick, but his toughness could easily earn him a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus. While he's not a title contender, Muhammad is a perfectly capable welterweight. The loss snaps a four-fight winning streak for the 30-year-old. Muhammad is now 5-3 in his first eight UFC bouts.
Muhammad displayed exceptional toughness in what was essentially a 15-minute kickboxing match. He failed on all eight of his takedown attempts and was forced to stand and trade with the heavy-handed Neal. He got the short end of the stick, but his toughness could easily earn him a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus. While he's not a title contender, Muhammad is a perfectly capable welterweight. The loss snaps a four-fight winning streak for the 30-year-old. Muhammad is now 5-3 in his first eight UFC bouts.
Next fight booked
Muhammad (undisclosed) will take on Geoff Neal in a welterweight matchup at UFC on ESPN+ 1 on Jan. 19, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Muhammad had been scheduled for a tough matchup againist Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos at UFC Sao Paulo in September, but was forced to withdraw due to undisclosed reasons. Considering the absolute tear that dos Santos has been on of late, that may have turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Muhammad. The 30-year-old is riding a four-fight winning streak, though each fight has gone to the judges and one was of the split variety. Neal, on the other hand, has four-straight stoppage victories dating back to his pre-UFC days. Both men stand at 5-foot-11, with a three-inch reach advantage going to Neal.
Muhammad had been scheduled for a tough matchup againist Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos at UFC Sao Paulo in September, but was forced to withdraw due to undisclosed reasons. Considering the absolute tear that dos Santos has been on of late, that may have turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Muhammad. The 30-year-old is riding a four-fight winning streak, though each fight has gone to the judges and one was of the split variety. Neal, on the other hand, has four-straight stoppage victories dating back to his pre-UFC days. Both men stand at 5-foot-11, with a three-inch reach advantage going to Neal.
Won't fight at Sao Paulo
Muhammad will not face off against Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos at UFC Sao Paulo on Sept. 22, freelance writer Nolan King reports. Luigi Vendramini will take his place.
ANALYSIS
Muhammad has won his past four fights and was looking to add another against Zaleski dos Santos. However, for a reason that's immediately unclear, he'll bow out of the fight.
Muhammad has won his past four fights and was looking to add another against Zaleski dos Santos. However, for a reason that's immediately unclear, he'll bow out of the fight.
Added to Sao Paulo event
Muhammad will take on Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos in a welterweight matchup at UFC Sao Paulo on Sept. 22, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Muhammad has won four consecutive fights in the UFC, though much to the dismay of fantasy owners, they have all gone to the judges. He'll look to change that streak against Zaleski dos Santos, who has racked up a five-fight winning streak of his own. The two match up relatively equally in terms of age and measurements, and both have registered 4.50 significant strikes or greater during their respective UFC tenures. One area that Muhammad has the statistical advantage in is wrestling, where he averages 2.48 takedowns per 15 minutes and sports a defense rate of 90 percent. Look for him to utilize that in a fight where he should enter as the betting favorite, despite heading into enemy territory in Brazil.
Muhammad has won four consecutive fights in the UFC, though much to the dismay of fantasy owners, they have all gone to the judges. He'll look to change that streak against Zaleski dos Santos, who has racked up a five-fight winning streak of his own. The two match up relatively equally in terms of age and measurements, and both have registered 4.50 significant strikes or greater during their respective UFC tenures. One area that Muhammad has the statistical advantage in is wrestling, where he averages 2.48 takedowns per 15 minutes and sports a defense rate of 90 percent. Look for him to utilize that in a fight where he should enter as the betting favorite, despite heading into enemy territory in Brazil.
Decisions debuting Chance Rencountre Friday
Muhammad defeated Chance Rencountre via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) at UFC Fight Night on Friday in Utica, New York.
ANALYSIS
Muhammad looked fresh as a daisy despite the fact he hasn't been able to eat or drink from sunrise to sundown for the past two weeks because of his observing Ramadan. He made weight on Thursday morning and then had to wait many hours before he could add any muscle to his drawn out frame. It didn't impact Muhammad's performance on Friday. The victory was Belal's fourth in a row and the only blemish over the span is the fact that all four wins have come via decision. Muhammad has quietly amassed a 5-2 record throughout the early portion of his UFC career.
Muhammad looked fresh as a daisy despite the fact he hasn't been able to eat or drink from sunrise to sundown for the past two weeks because of his observing Ramadan. He made weight on Thursday morning and then had to wait many hours before he could add any muscle to his drawn out frame. It didn't impact Muhammad's performance on Friday. The victory was Belal's fourth in a row and the only blemish over the span is the fact that all four wins have come via decision. Muhammad has quietly amassed a 5-2 record throughout the early portion of his UFC career.