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Per the UFC’s president Dana White: “The winner of Gilbert Burns versus Belal Muhammed is subsequent in line for a welterweight title alternative.”
The proposed welterweight title-challenging eliminator was established simply two weeks shy of UFC 288 as an initially deliberate bout between Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush was scrapped.
Burns was fight-ready, having competed twice in 2023 already. However this wasn’t the case for Muhammad, who hadn’t fought since October of 2022 and had not too long ago been concerned with Ramadan’s fasting and non secular progress.
Nonetheless, in true Belal Muhammad style, the Chicago native couldn’t move up such a chance. With a mere 14 days to organize, he stepped into the octagon versus one of many division’s top-ranked contenders.
The Path to Welterweight Competition
Muhammad, 34, was already positioned because the No.4-ranked at 170 kilos, and with an 8-fight win streak in-tact, he put all of it on the road.
Nicknamed “Bear in mind The Title,” he ensured no person would neglect this alias after tearing by Gilbert Burns for 25 minutes.
Completely, the winner of this 170-pound battle was “assured” the subsequent championship shot after the division’s titleholder, Leon Edwards, meets the controversial Colby Covington later this yr. An unprepared and out-of-shape Muhammad – probably the most neglected competitor at 170 lbs – fought towards an in-shape Burns, a former title challenger, who had already claimed two wins this yr and was nonetheless hungry for one more likelihood at gold.
“Throughout Ramadan, my thoughts is the strongest it’s ever been,” Muhammad stated. “Spiritually, mentally, it simply places me on a distinct degree. To know my psychological recreation was hundred p.c, I didn’t care what my [physical] recreation was.
“I didn’t care what the load minimize was. I didn’t care what the rounds have been. As a result of I knew mentally, I may get by something. I do know that, for me, it’s all about God’s plan.”
In layman’s, it was an extremely essential struggle that finally obtained an compulsory five-round stipulation, normally utilized in principal occasions and title defenses. And when all was stated and performed, Muhammad stood tall along with his hand raised, following yet one more unstoppable efficiency that resulted in a unanimous determination from the judges’ scorecards.
Regardless of working by numerous top-15 ranked contenders, doubt has usually loomed all through the UFC fan base concerning Muhammad’s potential. This isn’t the case with Illinois sportsbooks, as supporters of the Chicago, Illinois, born and raised Belal Muhammad know they’ve a hometown expertise worthy of taking note of.
Belal Muhammad vs. Leon Edwards II: When and the place?
Earlier than Leon Edwards eliminated the crown from Kamaru Usman and efficiently defeated the Nigerian legend in a rematch, he fought Belal Muhammad at UFC Battle Evening in 2021. The bout was minimize quick after 5 minutes and 18 seconds attributable to a mid-fight harm attributable to a watch poke.
Muhammad has known as for the rematch on a number of events. Nonetheless, it’s lastly come full circle because the potential sequel to his rivalry with Edwards may maintain title implications – ought to Edwards overcome the problem of Colby Covington.
However can Muhammad overtake Covington within the runnings? Edwards said final month that he’d like his second title protection to happen in Abu Dhabi, saying It could be a “good” situation.
The UFC has confirmed I’s return to the UAE with UFC 294 on October 21. No bouts have been accepted for the Etihad Arena occasion.
That stated, having already fought twice in Abu Dhabi – most not too long ago with a TKO dominance over the beforehand undefeated Sean Brady at UFC 267 – Muhammad believed a lopsided win over Burns would place him above Covington to problem Edwards.
Earlier than defeating Burns, Muhammad stated: “I believe if I placed on an awesome efficiency this weekend, I’m subsequent in line. They’re going to Abu Dhabi. Do you suppose they are going to have Leon struggle Colby in Abu Dhabi?
“No, they’re going to have me struggle in Abu Dhabi. It’ll be like a dream come true, and I believe that’ll be how the story must be written. I’ve simply bought to do my work this weekend, and I don’t actually care what nothing else is as a result of I do know my subsequent struggle shall be for the belt.”
Whether or not or not Muhammad has performed sufficient to be subsequent in line is but to be seen. Both approach, his championship alternative has lastly arrived, and deservingly so.
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