What’s next for Belal Muhammad? Three potential comeback opponents after UFC 315 loss

Belal Muhammad must work his way back into title contention after losing at UFC 315.

The former welterweight champion dropped his belt to Jack Della Maddalena on Saturday night.

Usually a fight so close, competitive, and fun would be enough to earn Belal Muhammad an immediate rematch, but that won’t happen as Islam Makhachev has announced he’ll step up to 170lbs for a title shot.

So we have taken a look at a few potential opponents who could welcome ‘Remember The Name’ back to MMA after he’s healed up from the catastrophic injuries Dana White detailed in a post-fight social media post.

• READ MORE: Khabib Nurmagomedov’s coach says Belal Muhammad’s UFC 315 downfall was caused by an issue that ‘The Eagle’ battled in his career

Sean Brady

Sean Brady is the #1 ranked contender at welterweight after recently beating Leon Edwards.

The 32-year-old went one better than Muhammad by becoming the first man to stop ‘Rocky’ at UFC London.

Now seems like the perfect time for Brady and the ex-champ to rematch inside the Octagon.

In October 2020, Muhammad TKO’d Brady after unleashing his ‘Canelo hands’ at UFC 280.

A lot has happened since then, so why not run it back to decide who will face the winner of Della Maddalena vs Makhachev?

Ian Machado Garry

Last month, Ian Machado Garry beat Carlos Prates over five rounds in the UFC Kansas City main event.

The win left him ranked #6 at welterweight and chomping at the bit for a title shot.

After UFC 315, Garry said he’d be ready to face Della Maddalena if the Makhachev fight falls through.

However, it makes much more sense for him to fight Muhammad in a 170lb title eliminator later this year.

Kamaru Usman vs Joaquin Buckley winner

Former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is set to return to MMA on June 14.

‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ will look to snap his three-fight skid by beating top contender Joaquin Buckley in the UFC Atlanta main event, which will propel one man into the welterweight title mix.

With a queue forming at the top of the division, it seems unlikely winning will be enough to get Usman or Buckley a title shot in 2025.

Another victory over Muhammad would make either of them the undeniable number-one contender.

Meanwhile, Muhammad would have the chance to bounce back from UFC 315 in the best way possible.