In the fast-paced world of UFC, where fighters climb the ranks, Belal Muhammad is not willing to settle for anything less than what he believes he is worth. The No. 1 contender for the UFC welterweight title, Muhammad, has made it abundantly clear that if he is going to face Kamaru Usman, the reigning champion, he wants to be “paid like a champion.”
Muhammad’s journey to the top has been nothing short of remarkable. With a record of 23-3 in MMA and 14-3 in the UFC, he solidified his contender status by defeating Gilbert Burns at UFC 288 in May. However, despite this achievement, he found himself passed over for a title shot in favor of Colby Covington, who is set to challenge Leon Edwards for the welterweight title at UFC 296 on December 16.
The plot thickened when UFC CEO Dana White hinted at a fight for Muhammad, but the fighter himself clarified that he is open to competing only under specific conditions. Muhammad shared his stance with MMA Junkie, stating, “I am willing to fight Sean Strickland at 185. I am willing to go up there; that’s a title fight. So, I have a guarantee for a title fight. Also, at 170, the only other person that doesn’t have a fight is Kamaru Usman, but when I am looking at it, it doesn’t really make sense for me unless I am getting paid like a champion because Usman, I think, is a harder matchup than Colby or Leon, and I am not going to get nothing for beating him.”
Muhammad’s demand for championship pay stems from his belief that facing Usman would be a monumental challenge, potentially elevating his resume to legendary status within the welterweight division. He noted, “I am going to have a better resume than Usman – my resume is going to be tied with freaking GSP’s, and he is considered the GOAT of the division. But, if I have Usman on my resume, Gilbert Burns, ‘Wonderboy,’ Luque, undefeated Sean Brady, which I think will pay dividends once Sean Brady comes back and fights, I’m going to be considered the GOAT of the welterweights without even fighting for the belt.”
To prepare for any potential opportunity, Muhammad plans to train for both Edwards and Covington, in case one of them is unable to compete, and he receives the call to step in. He has decided to forgo a grappling match scheduled for ADXC 1 on October 20 to avoid risking injury.
While he may not have been officially named as the backup, Muhammad remains confident that he is next in line for a title shot. He affirmed, “I don’t need to be the backup, but if they want me to, of course. I am down if they are paying.”
Belal Muhammad’s demand for championship-level compensation for a potential fight against Kamaru Usman highlights the evolving dynamics between fighters and promotions in the UFC. It underscores the importance of fair compensation and fighters recognizing their worth in an industry that thrives on their skills and dedication.
Muhammad’s stance is understandable, given his impressive record and the challenge that Usman presents. It raises questions about fighter compensation and the value of marquee matchups, ultimately reshaping the future of MMA negotiations.
