The UFC welterweight title recently changed hands when Belal Muhammad defeated Leon Edwards at UFC 304 in Manchester. The Palestinian-American dominated the Brit, rag-dolling the former champion for four rounds before the judges gave the decision to Belal. However, this got the lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev rethinking his double-champ ambitions, as he does not want to face his buddy.
Since Makhachev and Belal belong to the same team, they are not willing to face each other in the octagon. Naturally, fans were quick to catch onto this sentiment, although they assured the Russian that Belal would soon get steamrolled by the Kazakh nomad, Shavkat Rakhmonov. In fact, one fan openly stated that Belal would soon lose his belt to Rakhmonov, saying,
“Don’t worry Islam he’s gonna lose it to Shavkat.”
Don’t worry Islam he’s gonna lose it to Shavkat.
— Nas100G (@nas100critical) August 2, 2024
Meanwhile, another fan suggested Makhachev to fight Rakhmonov when he wins the title from ‘Remember The Name’
“You can fight Shavkat when he takes that belt.”
You can fight shavkat when he takes that belt
— User (@E_Sad_Bijem_Ja) August 2, 2024
This sentiment seemed pretty common among fans, as one even asked Makhachev to wait until the Kazakh native eventually took over as welterweight champion.
“No worries just wait till shavkat take over.”
No worries just wait till shavkat take over
— Bruhh Wayne (@andriAgassi_) August 2, 2024
Likewise, a fourth fan insisted that Belal would lose his belt in his very next defense.
“It’s ok belal will lose the belt next defense.”
It’s ok belal will lose the belt next defense
— Deez (@Deez07736693) August 2, 2024
At the same time, fans were also quick to note that Makhachev would likely defeat Belal at welterweight, as one said,
“Hot take. I think Belal beats Islam at welterweight.”
Hot take. I think Belal beats Islam at welterweight
— Young Elliott (@IntlElliott) August 2, 2024
Being a man of his word, the champion is ready to hand the next title shot to Rakhmonov, albeit in a pretty unwelcoming manner.
Belal Muhammad offers the next opportunity to Rakhmonov; warns the Kazakh
Belal was on cloud nine after he fulfilled his long-sought dream of winning the UFC belt. While most gave him a chance in the wrestling department, Belal left the fans quite impressed as he peppered the champion with sharp jabs and caught Edwards multiple times to outclass him even on the feet.
Dropping his thoughts after his triumph on his YouTube channel, ‘Remember The Show,’ Belal issued a stern warning to Rakhmonov. He took the example of his fight against Sean Brady, and claimed he would not hesitate to end the Kazakh’s career, saying,
“I’m going to go out there and break him, break him. Then they’ll say that about the next guy… By the end of my career, I’m going to be the best welterweight to ever do it. The way to do it, is to walk through these next guys. Shavkat is next…. I’m going to start taking these guy’s zeros. I already took Sean Brady’s 0, Shavkat’s next.”
Can the champion derail the Kazakh hype train and become the greatest WW? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.