Belal Muhammad expects first UFC title defense to be against Shavkat Rakhmonov or Kamaru Usman

Shavkat Rakhmonov or Kamaru Usman. Those are the two names Belal Muhammad thinks expects to fight in his first title defense as UFC welterweight champion.

Muhammad (24-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC), who took the belt from Leon Edwards last month at UFC 304 in Manchester, England, thinks Rakhmonov likely is the next challenger, but he sees a world in which the promotion favors Usman given all he’s done in the division.

“I see it being Shavkat,” Muhammad told MMA Junkie. “If he would’ve fought (Jack Della Maddalena), he could’ve been 100 percent the clear contender, but I think the fact that they were almost close to booking him with JDM – they were hesitant on it. But I think he’s for me the boogeyman.

“They all say he’s the next guy, and I think out of all the guys, I think it’s between him and Usman just because of Usman’s legacy and who he is, as one of the welterweights’ best. But yeah, for me, Dana (White) just has to call me and let me know. I’m just going to say, ‘All right, cool.'”

Rakhmonov is unbeaten in his 18-fight MMA career. He was most recently seen in action back in December, where he submitted veteran Stephen Thompson.

Muhammad knows Usman is on a three-fight skid with two losses in title fights against Edwards, and one as a short-notice fight at 185 pounds against Khamzat Chimaev. Regardless, Muhammad has high appreciation for Usman’s legacy and accolades in the sport.

“Didn’t Colby (Covington) get a title shot off two losses or off a loss?” Muhammad said. “For Kamaru, he’s up there with (Georges St-Pierre). Even Dana White said he’s better than GSP, so for my legacy and my name, he was always a guy I looked at and always thought I could beat, even before Leon did it. I was like, ‘I want to fight him. I want to fight him.’ And it’s fun because he’s giving me that smoke back and forth, and I like build-ups like that.”