Belal Muhammad Picks Shavkat Rakhmonov Over Kamaru Usman For his First Title Defense

The UFC welterweight champion was contemplating between Usman and Rakhmonov for his first title defense. After carefully considering the pros and cons, Belal Muhammad seems to be interested to face the undefeated submission artist Shavkat Rakhmonov next.

The welterweight division has taken an interesting turn after Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards exit. Rising contenders are progressively making their way to the top. The next UFC welterweight title fight will either happen in December or in the first quarter of 2025.

Belal Muhammad on his next fight

In a recent interview with Kevin Iole, the UFC welterweight champion shared his thoughts on who he wants for his first title defense.

“For me now, I’d rather have it be Shavkat, because I think he has more aura, I think he has the undefeatedness to him,” Muhammad said as quoted by mmafighting.com. “It’s like, there’s no excuse after beating him.

I go out there and I beat Usman, Usman’s on a three-fight losing streak, he’s old, he’s on his way out. I think he needs another win to get into the mix to show that he’s still hungry, to show that he still has tread on the tires.

When you look at all the other guys. Ian’s not really going to call for it, JDM, I think he’s still hurt, so I think it would be between Shavkat and Usman".

@bullyb170 @Rakhmonov1994 pic.twitter.com/ZBtFU9yPWS — Omer Osman (@OmerOsman200) September 27, 2024