Belal Muhammad (24-3) recently denied claims that Shavkat Rahmonov (18-0) has not kept his promise to become the reigning champion.
Muhammad won the welterweight title at UFC 304 in July, defeating Leon Edwards by unanimous decision. Rakhmonov claims he was then offered a fight to challenge “Remember the Name” and accepted. However, “The Nomad” accuses Muhammad of turning down a booking that was reportedly offered to him for UFC 307, which takes place on October 5 in Salt Lake City, Utah. According to Rakhmonov, Muhammad turned down the offer due to scheduling conflicts. The unbeaten Kazakh also accuses Muhammad of not being the reigning champion.
“Actually, I already received an offer to fight Belal and I accepted the fight with him,” Rakhmomov told MMAFighting.com. “But unfortunately he turned down the offer to fight me because of timing issues. At that time, he wasn’t ready to defend the belt. So, I’ll wait and see what happens from now on and when he’ll be ready, and then I’ll be able to fight him. He said before he became champion and after he won the belt that he would become an active champion and defend the belt more often. But at this point, he hasn’t backed up what he said… That was on the Salt Lake City card in October.” [UFC
307].”
Muhammad previously said he wanted to make his first title defense at UFC 308, which takes place at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on October 26, but the champion did not appear ready to defend his title as of earlier this month.
Muhammad responded to Rakhmonov’s claims by bringing up the Kazakhstan’s own inactivity this year. “The Nomad,” who he believes is best suited for another title fight, is fresh off a submission win over Stephen Thompson at UFC 296 in December 2023. Muhammad believes Rakhmonov needs to be tested again against former champion Kamaru Usman to determine the next title contender.
“Suspended? LOL. I’m still on trial and Shafqat hasn’t fought since 2023,” Muhammad wrote on X. “I think Shafqat and Usman should fight to find the real number one contender.”
Suspended? LOL I’m still on trial and Shafqat hasn’t fought since 2023. I think Shafqat and Usman should fight to find the real number one contender. pic.twitter.com/7fKYMZsqbl
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170)
August 30, 2024
Muhammad is unbeaten in 11 fights since 2019, with two of those fights coming by finish, while all 18 of Rakhmonov’s career wins have come by way of finish, with six of those coming at UFC.
