The owner of one of the
Ultimate Fighting Championship’s longest-ever unbeaten streaks
without a title shot is ready to press the issue.
Advertisement
Welterweight contender Belal
Muhammad (23-3, 1 NC) will only fight for the title next even
if he has to wait for it, according to his manager Ali Abdelaziz,
who recently spoke to MMA Fighting about his
client’s long climb up the 170-pound ladder. Undefeated in his last
10 outings, with nine wins and a no contest against current champ
Leon
Edwards, and ranked No. 2 on the welterweight ladder, Muhammad
has long been rallying for a shot at the title. While many consider
“Remember the Name” to be most deserving of the next chance at the
belt, the promotion has passed him over repeatedly, most recently
in favor of Colby
Covington, who is scheduled to challenge Edwards at UFC 296 on
Dec. 16.
While Covington hasn’t fought since a decision win over Jorge
Masvidal in March 2022, Muhammad has competed three times since
then, most recently notching a dominant decision win over Gilbert
Burns in March. Per Abdelaziz, Muhammad will only fight for the
title next, most likely against the winner of the Edwards-Covington
title fight. Abdelaziz has absolute faith in a promise seemingly
made by White about Muhammad getting a title shot in his next
outing.
While Abdelaziz is hopeful about Muhammad getting his bid in
December by some turn of events, he is also willing to wait
otherwise. The Dominance MMA CEO said, “Dana’s a promoter and
whatever Dana says, I take to the bank. Dana promised him a title
shot. I’ll close my eyes and I’ll sleep [well]. Dana always keeps
his word. He’s the No. 1 contender.
“This is my prediction” he added. “I believe something will happen
Dec. 16. I believe Belal
Muhammad will go there and I believe Belal
Muhammad will become the UFC welterweight champion. Even if
that doesn’t happen, that’s OK. These two guys fight, the winner
will fight Belal
Muhammad.
“Belal
Muhammad was always the No. 1 contender,” he concluded. “It was
not ‘maybe fight this guy, maybe fight that guy.’ No, he was the
No. 1 contender and he is next for the title. Because I believe
anything Dana White says, I do.”