Belal Muhammad is getting ready for his first title protection with the reigning UFC welterweight champion probably returning in December.
That’s in line with his supervisor Ali Abdelaziz, who confirmed that Muhammad is coaching and able to struggle earlier than the top of the 12 months.
“Belal is able to go in December,” Abdelaziz advised MMA Combating. “No drawback. We’re able to go, however the UFC has to announce. I can’t be saying a struggle in your podcast. Most probably you’re going to see for positive Belal in December. In opposition to who, the place, when, this can be a Dana White query.
“It may be Shavkat [Rakhmonov]. It may be [Kamaru] Usman. It may be regardless of the UFC desires. I stated when you’re the champ, you need to defend the title in opposition to [whoever] they’re going to offer you. It doesn’t matter who.”
If December occurs, Muhammad would virtually actually struggle at UFC 310, which is scheduled on Dec. 7 at T-Cellular Enviornment in Las Vegas.
So far as potential opponents, Muhammad has seemingly singled out undefeated contender Shavkat Rakhmonov as his probably problem, though he’s positively engaged in a confrontation with former champion Kamaru Usman as effectively.
Abdelaziz truly manages each Muhammad and Usman and he expects that struggle to occur in some unspecified time in the future sooner or later, nevertheless it’s simply unclear if that’s the one which occurs subsequent.
“Kamaru is certainly one of my greatest mates, my brother, Belal is my brother, I really like each of those guys,” Abdelaziz stated. “On the finish of the day, two alpha males. Kamaru maintain this crown for a very long time, Belal has earned the crown. He’s the king now. Kamaru believes he can nonetheless be the king. I believe these guys don’t respect one another an excessive amount of, to be trustworthy with you.
“You may just about see these guys struggle sooner or later for positive. I believe one of many greatest fights within the welterweight division is Kamaru vs. Belal. It’s not even shut. No person even shut. Belal wants huge names to certify himself as one of many best welterweights of all time. He wants Kamaru Usman. Kamaru is the king of the welterweight division. Dana White says he’s the best of all-time. When these two guys struggle, it will likely be one of many greatest fights within the welterweight division on the time.”
For his half, Abdelaziz guarantees that he’s not going to become involved within the confrontation between two of his fighters. He’s been right here earlier than. Abdelaziz says his solely job is ensuring the fighters keep wholesome, they get every little thing they want from him, and each find yourself with greater financial institution accounts when it’s throughout.
“They’ll struggle,” Abdelaziz stated. “On the finish of the day, they’re two grown males. They each need the identical factor. I’m in the midst of this and my job is once they each struggle I’m going to verify they make an entire bunch of cash and so they received every little thing they want.
“Look, Marlon Moraes fought Henry Cejudo. Kamaru fought Gilbert [Burns]. Justin Gaethje fought Khabib [Nurmagomedov], all for the title, and I keep impartial. I’ll stay the identical.”
Whether or not it’s Rakhmonov or Usman, Abdelaziz says that Muhammad isn’t going to again down from any challenges thrown his approach. He waited so lengthy to get his title shot that his supervisor believes Muhammad could be very anxious to start his championship reign.
“Belal will struggle anyone, too, don’t get it twisted,” Abdelaziz stated. “Belal isn’t afraid of any man on this planet. He’s the champ for a motive. Kamaru additionally isn’t afraid of anyone. I’m positive Shavkat isn’t afraid of anyone. Whenever you come to those prime 5 guys, no person can say these guys are afraid or ducking anyone.
“The man who’s been ducking individuals for years and he by no means fights is Colby Covington. He solely fights when it’s handy for him. That’s the one man I can say geese individuals. Not anyone else.”
