Belal Muhammad secured the UFC welterweight championship on July 27, 2024, at UFC 304, where he defeated Leon Edwards via unanimous decision in the main event. The fight took place in Manchester, England, on Edwards’ home turf, but Muhammad dominated the bout with relentless pressure and superior grappling. The victory marked the culmination of a 10-fight unbeaten streak, making Muhammad one of the most deserving champions in recent history.
His first title defense is expected to be against Shavkat Rakhmonov, the undefeated Kazakhstani powerhouse who has finished seven out of eight UFC opponents and is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous fighters in the division. Rakhmonov, who previously held an M-1 Global title, has showcased a well-rounded skill set, blending devastating striking with elite-level grappling.
Why the fight was delayed
Muhammad and Rakhmonov were originally scheduled to face off at UFC 310 on December 7, 2024, but Muhammad was forced to withdraw due to a serious foot infection that required six weeks of intravenous antibiotics. The injury was a major setback for the champion, who had been eager to defend his belt as soon as possible.
With Muhammad out, Rakhmonov instead faced Ian Machado Garry, another undefeated welterweight prospect, in a high-stakes title eliminator. Rakhmonov dominated Garry over three rounds, securing a unanimous decision victory and solidifying his status as the rightful No.1 contender.
Muhammad believes he has the key to victory
Despite Rakhmonov’s dominance, Muhammad remains confident that his pressure-heavy fighting style will be too much for the challenger to handle. Speaking to Barstool Sports Chicago, Muhammad explained why he believes Rakhmonov has never faced someone like him before:
“I will be in his face the whole time, and it will have the same result – another guy breaks.”
Muhammad also addressed Rakhmonov’s undefeated mystique, arguing that many of his previous opponents have been intimidated before even stepping into the octagon:
“When you fight a guy like Shavkat, who they put on this pedestal as this undefeated monster, I see holes in his game the same way I saw holes in Leon’s game. I think Leon is a better striker than Shavkat, but mentally, I think Shavkat is much stronger. I don’t see him breaking mentally. The biggest thing for him is that now he’s fighting a guy who isn’t scared of him. Everyone he fights goes in there nervous.”
Muhammad believes that constant forward pressure is the key to beating Rakhmonov, comparing his approach to how he dismantled Edwards:
“When you’ve never felt that kind of pressure—when a guy isn’t scared of you and is still in your face for five rounds—that’s the worst scenario for you. I’m going to be that guy.”
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How Muhammad earned his title shot
Muhammad’s road to the title was not an easy one. Despite being undefeated from 2019 to 2024, he was repeatedly overlooked for a title shot. His 10-fight unbeaten streak included wins over Gilbert Burns, Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque, and Sean Brady, proving that he could compete with the elite of the welterweight division.
He was originally set to face Leon Edwards in 2021, but their fight ended in a No Contest due to an accidental eye poke. While Edwards went on to challenge for the title and defeat Kamaru Usman, Muhammad was forced to take additional fights to earn his shot.
His long-awaited title opportunity finally came at UFC 304, where he executed a flawless game plan against Edwards, using superior wrestling and clinch control to win a unanimous decision and claim the welterweight championship.
“I knew I deserved this shot a long time ago. Now it’s my time to prove why I’m the champion.”
What happens next?
While an official date for Muhammad vs. Rakhmonov has not been confirmed, UFC president Dana White has hinted that the fight could take place in early 2025.
“Belal has been waiting to defend his belt, and Shavkat is the next in line. We’ll have an announcement soon.”
Both fighters have begun their training camps, with Muhammad focusing on wrestling-heavy preparation, while Rakhmonov is reportedly working on improving his striking defense.
With Rakhmonov’s finishing ability and Muhammad’s relentless pressure, this fight is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing title matchups of 2025.
Source: MMAnytt.se
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