Belal Muhammad recently spoke out about the feud between former UFC middleweight champion Shawn Strickland and David Goggins, slamming Strickland.
Strickland has angered Navy SEALs by saying that no one could stand a week of training with him, and former Navy SEAL and mixed martial artist Mitch Aguiar recently showed up to spar with Strickland and was beaten handily.
Former SEAL turned fitness influencer David Goggins invited Strickland to a training session, and Strickland initially appeared to accept. However, Muhammad, who has a feud with Strickland, dismissed the former middleweight champion as a mere troll. According to Remember the Name, Strickland has been low-profile since losing his title and is trying to gain clout by taking on internet celebrities.
“I wouldn’t call it a beef. That’s what Shawn is. He’s a troll,” Muhammad told The Schmo. “Nobody cares what he says because he doesn’t have the belt anymore. So now he starts attacking other fighters, fighters with a lot of followers, just to get attention. We’ve known what kind of fighter he is all along. He’s fake, he’s not the tough guy he says he is, he’s not the crazy guy he says he is. He’s just doing it for the fame. I mean, if he’s the guy, let’s challenge David Goggins, do a David Goggins workout and see if he can get through it. Let’s see how big your heart is.”
Strickland initially accused Goggins of hiding behind a cell phone screen and taunting the former SEAL to come to his gym. Goggins then released a video in which he agreed to spar with Strickland for three rounds if the UFC star trained with him for three days. Strickland responded by apologizing to Goggins after appearing to have stabilized mentally. Strickland also said his tirade against Goggins was fueled by frustration over his desire to win the middleweight title.
Ok guys, enough teasing about Goggins. I trained and I feel great. Clarity.
We have to wait for Dricus and Izzy to fight. I’m on the bench.
I’m just bored, angry, and hurting people makes me feel good inside (laughs).
You’re cool Goggins… keep on jogging…
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA)
July 12, 2024
When a fan asked why Strickland didn’t take up Goggins’ final offer, the UFC middleweight admitted he couldn’t keep up with the veteran ultramarathoner.
I can’t run. lol I run for my prey.
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA)
July 12, 2024
Meanwhile, Strickland and Muhammad have made no secret of their dislike for each other. Muhammad, who is of Palestinian descent, was upset by Strickland’s comments about the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, to which Strickland responded by accusing Muhammad of being a warmonger and calling for him to fight for Palestinian freedom.
Muhammad will seek a coveted title shot against Leon Edwards in the main event of UFC 304 on July 27 at the Coop Live Arena in Manchester, England.
