It looks like we’ll see Belal Muhammad in the Octagon sooner rather than later.
The former UFC Welterweight Champion tasted his first defeat in six years when he lost his title to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315.
It was mainly a striking battle between Muhammad and Della Maddalena, with Muhammad saying he went against the game-plan.
Despite the unanimous decision loss, the 36-year-old Belal Muhammad still feels like he’s the best in the world and plans to prove it against whoever the UFC puts in front of him next.
Jon Anik claims Shavkat Rakhmonov is Belal Muhammad’s next opponent
On Sunday, UFC play-by-play commentator Jon Anik revealed details surrounding Muhammad’s return—a rebooking against undefeated contender Shavkat Rakhmonov.
“I’m glad he has an undisputed welterweight championship belt at home and I’m glad he’s married to the game,” Anik said of Muhammad on the Anik & Florian Podcast.
“We’ll see what Shavkat Rakhmonov has for him in October.
“Belal vs. Shavkat in October, there’s your breaking news,” Anik said of the welterweight matchup.
Muhammad was initially scheduled to face the #3-ranked Rakhmonov for the welterweight title in the main event of UFC 310 last December. However, an injury forced Muhammad off the card and Rakhmonov instead fought and beat Ian Machado Garry in a title eliminator bout.
The UFC tends to go to Abu Dhabi for their pay-per-view events in October, which could be a potential meeting place for Muhammad vs. Rakhmonov—that is, if it happens…
Shavkat Rakhmonov’s manager says Belal Muhammad fight is not ‘in the works’
It wouldn’t take long for Rakhmonov’s manager to catch wind of Anik’s comments.
Following much fanfare for the welterweight fight, Rakhmonov’s manager, Daniel Rubenstein, confirmed that Rakhmonov vs. Muhammad is not in the works.
“Lol no it’s not,” Rubenstein commented on a report of the fight.
While it may not be in the works as of this moment, a fight between Muhammad and Rakhmonov could make sense in the future as Jack Della Maddalena defends the title against Islam Makhachev.
Rakhmonov was thought to be Muhammad’s first title defense after defeating Machado Garry but Della Maddalena beat him to the punch as Rakhmonov had to be sidelined due to a torn MCL.