UFC News: Belal Muhammad Deemed Unworthy of Title Shot by Contender After Snub
One top UFC title contender thinks there are better options than Belal Muhammad.
Reigning and defending UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards is without a fight at UFC 300 following three opponents apparently turning him down, says UFC CEO Dana White.
The #2 contender in the world, Muhammad, was not one of the fighters offered the champ, but the Chicago-native in turn says he'd fight him anytime and anywhere.
Despite riding a 10-fight unbeaten streak and Muhammad's most recent win coming over him, Gilbert Burns doesn't think his former foe should be challenging for a title next.
“I know UFC has got to put on the best fights. I don’t think honestly Belal Muhammad deserves to fight for the title, but honestly I’m not intrigued," Burns told Middle Easy.
Burns wasn't shocked to see Muhammad get overtaken in the title conversation by other stars at UFC 300. Khamzat Chimaev, Shavkat Rakhmonov and even UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev are theorized to have been offered Edwards for Apr. 13, days after Ramadan concludes.
The former title challenger thinks these names would have sold better on pay-per-view than Muhammad ever would.
“I knew they would try to make the Khamzat fight. I don’t think he did because of Ramadan. That’s what he said or maybe a visa issue. I don’t think Shavkat got the fight because I think he’s still a little bit injured with his ankle. Islam, maybe a Ramadan situation too. I’m not surprised. The UFC wants to make the biggest fights, the craziest fights, the fights that are going to sell the most.”
Fighting Muhammad on short-notice at UFC 288 might've not been the best idea for Burns, who was coming off back-to-back wins in 2023. The Brazilian was dominated over the distance after suffering an arm injury in the first round.
Had the circumstances been different, Burns says he could have found himself headlining UFC 300 vs. Leon Edwards instead.
"A friend of mine just called me and say, 'Hey, I know you know this, but just to let you know, if you didn't get hurt on your injury...' and it already happened. I'm not giving no excuse.
But, 'If you have beat Belal your last fight, you headline freaking UFC 300...' I never thought about it, but yeah, you're probably right. But I lost, it is what it is. You kinda feel bad a little bit."
Has Belal Muhammad done enough for a welterweight title shot?
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