In a surprising turn of events, Joaquin Buckley, the rising star of the UFC’s welterweight division, has joined the chorus of voices questioning the promotion’s decision to grant Colby Covington a title shot over Belal Muhammad. The decision to pit Covington against Leon Edwards for the welterweight title at UFC 296 on December 16 has left Muhammad on the sidelines, despite his impressive track record and vocal protests.
Belal Muhammad, known as “@bullyb170” on social media, has been a dominant force in the welterweight division with a record of 23 wins and only 3 losses. Many fans and fellow fighters believed it was his time to shine and compete for the coveted welterweight belt. However, the UFC had different plans, and the announcement of Covington vs. Edwards left Muhammad’s title aspirations hanging in the balance.
The controversy surrounding this decision has been brewing for months, with several elite welterweights, including Muhammad, expressing their dissatisfaction with Covington receiving the title shot. Muhammad has been outspoken about his desire to fight for the championship, and many within the MMA community felt he deserved the opportunity.
Colby Covington, on the other hand, has not competed in over a year, with two of his last four fights ending in failed title bids. Despite these setbacks, UFC President Dana White remained steadfast in his support of Covington, dubbing him “Chaos” and granting him another chance at championship glory.
Joaquin Buckley, who is scheduled to face Alex Morono at UFC Fight Night 229 on October 7, took the opportunity during a media day interview to express his bewilderment at the decision. In his own words:
“I don’t know, to be honest with you. It doesn’t make any sense to me. To put some respect on his name, Belal Muhammad should’ve been fighting for the belt, you know. Colby Covington, to be honest, I can’t even remember the last fight he had. Who did he fight last? I can’t remember… Regardless, I think Belal Muhammad should’ve definitely been up next to fight for the belt, so I don’t know how that Leon and Colby Covington fight goes. I’d rather have seen Belal fight for the title.”
The controversy surrounding Colby Covington’s title shot has ignited a passionate debate within the MMA community. While some believe Covington’s brash persona and past accomplishments justify his position, others, like Joaquin Buckley, argue that Belal Muhammad’s consistent performances should have earned him the opportunity. This debate adds an extra layer of intrigue to an already highly anticipated fight between Covington and Edwards.
The UFC’s matchmaking decisions have always been a topic of heated discussion, and this situation is no different. Belal Muhammad’s journey to a title shot seems to have hit a roadblock, but in the unpredictable world of mixed martial arts, opportunities can arise when least expected. Regardless of the outcome, the welterweight division promises to provide fans with intense and memorable bouts in the near future.
