For his first title defense, newly crowned UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad is eyeing a possible clash with former champion Kamaru Usman.
Muhammad, who won the title at UFC 304 by defeating Leon Edwards, has stated that he is willing to defend it right away, in contrast to many competitors who like to take a break after reaching the highest level.
This past weekend, Muhammad went UFC Abu Dhabi and, after his win in Manchester, he suggested two potential opponents for his debut defence.
“Any of them, right? Usman, obviously, I think for legacy,” Muhammad said.
“He’s one of the biggest names in the division; he’s under GSP, and I think he’s still got a treat in the tires, even though he lost the close fight to Leon and then the really close fight to Khamzat.”
Despite Usman’s recent losses, Muhammad acknowledges his name value and legacy in the division saying, “I think name value; he has the bigger name. But I also want to fight the boogeyman,”
“The boogeyman that everybody says can beat anybody is gonna walk through anybody… I knew after beating Leon; they would say, ‘Well, Shavkat will walk through him.’ He can’t do that to Shavkat!’ I’m just gonna keep doing it… Dana White, you have to give me the time and the date, and I’m ready to go.”
