Last month, Belal Muhammad, once considered an underdog, silenced his critics when he dethroned Leon Edwards at UFC 304 in Manchester to become the UFC welterweight champion. Though it’s been barely a month since his victory, talk of his first title defense has already become a hot topic in the MMA community. Despite facing pressure from different angles, Muhammad isn’t rushing into his next fight without proper preparation. Now, everyone is wondering if Kamaru Usman will accept the challenge.

That’s why, when Shavkat Rakhmonov called him out this week, ‘Remember the Name’ shut down the demand, posting on X, “I think Shavkat and Usman should fight to find the real number one contender.” This shifted the spotlight onto top-ranked contender Kamaru Usman, who’s been out of the octagon for a while. Recently, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ spoke about the matter during his podcast.

Kamaru Usman on the fight against Shavkat Rakhmonov

After losing three consecutive fights, including his title bout against Leon Edwards, Kamaru Usman, frustrated with his setback, stepped away from the octagon following his last fight against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ took a temporary retirement to focus on other pursuits, including his podcast Pound for Pound.

Recently, during an episode, co-host Henry Cejudo asked him about the rumors of a potential fight against Shavkat Rakhmonov. Usman responded, “With this rumor, Shavkat, listen, we’re right there. If the champion decides to fight sometimes in the next year and a half or two years, then we’ll both fight the champion. But if the champion does not decide to fight, then the division is going to have to move on, and fightings are going to happen.” 

Usman further dashed fans’ hopes of seeing him fight Shavkat Rakhmonov, putting an end to the rumors. He said, “But yeah, right now all of this is just rumors; it’s all rumors, all rumors. But listen, I am sacred of no one.”

Even Belal Muhammad doesn’t want to fight directly with any opponent. Instead, he prefers a title eliminator between Kamaru Usman and Shavkat Rakhmonov. However, there is a condition under which Muhammad might choose to fight Usman over Rakhmonov, a reason recently shared by Muhammad, in an interview.

Why would Muhammad prefer fighting Usman over Rakhmonov?

Emphasizing ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’s’ experience, Muhammad chose him when asked in an interview whom he would prefer for his next title defense.

‘Remember the Name’ said, “

Honestly, I would say Kamaru just because he’s fought the highest level for so long,” Muhammad told Submission Radio. “And stylistically, he has one of the best IQs in the game. So I think, for me, fighting somebody with close to an IQ of myself would be a harder fight.”

What do you think about Belal Muhammad’s decision to have his first fight between Kamaru Usman and Shavkat Rakhmonov? Do you believe Muhammad is delaying his fight because he’s wary of Rakhmonov’s rising status? Share your thoughts in the comments below.