Belal Muhammad isn’t showing any love to Colby Covington or Leon Edwards.
Covington is set to challenge Leon Edwards for the UFC Welterweight Championship on December 16. The title fight will headline UFC 296 inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Some have criticized the decision to give Covington a title opportunity when Muhammad has gone 9-0, 1 NC in his last ten outings. The UFC has promised Muhammad the winner of Edwards vs. Covington after his unanimous decision victory over Gilbert Burns back in May.
Belal Muhammad Thinks Colby Covington Is An Easier Fight
Middle Easy’s Mike Owens recently interviewed Belal Muhammad, as “Remember The Name” waits for UFC 296 to unfold. Muhammad told Owens that he feels there wouldn’t be much prep work needed if Covington can defeat Edwards.
“I mean it’s easier, right, ’cause now both these guys are southpaws,” Muhammad said. “So, it’s easier to train for them. I’m not training specifically for either one of them because, like, I don’t really think I need to train for Colby. Colby’s an easier fight. So, right now we’re specifically focused on Leon and trying to break him down and figuring out what his weaknesses are and his strengths are. If I’m gonna fight Colby, I could go for like a light jog and I’ll be ready to fight him ’cause all he does is just has cardio, has no punching power, his wrestling’s trash, I’m better than him everywhere else.”
Reflecting On 2021 Fight With Leon Edwards
Muhammad and reigning 170-pound champion Leon Edwards actually fought back in 2021. The fight was ruled a No Contest after Muhammad couldn’t continue following an inadvertent eye poke in the second round. “Remember The Name” explained how that result may actually serve him well in the long run.
“It’s beneficial in a way because now I have a reason to hate him,” Muhammad said. “I have a reason to dislike the guy. For a fight to end like that and for him not to give me the rematch, and to just look past me. Now, I have a hatred for the guy.”
Who Does Belal Muhammad Prefer To Fight?
Belal was also asked if he has a preference for who he will be meeting for the UFC welterweight gold sometime in 2024.
“I definitely think Colby’s the easier fight, for sure, and it’ll be like a [more fun] buildup because he’ll actually like talk back and forth, but I would want to fight Leon just because the unfinished business we have,” Muhammad said.
Relief Upon Hearing News Of His Title Shot
Belal made it clear that he didn’t feel any pressure when he was told he’d be fighting for a UFC title. In fact, he actually feels a sense of relief.
“Now that they have a date it’s like, ‘Alright, finally,'” Muhammad said. “We have a time frame of when will we fight, but both of these guys, honestly, they don’t like to fight. They sit out for long times and they don’t really care.”
Will UFC Keep Its Promise?
Some have been skeptical of the promised title opportunity for Belal Muhammad. The number three-ranked UFC welterweight isn’t concerned.
“We definitely communicated to them recently,” Muhammad revealed. “They said, ‘You’re Next.'”
Theory On Why Covington Received Another UFC Title Shot
Muhammad doesn’t believe Covington is deserving of the UFC 296 fight against Edwards. He even shared a theory on why “Chaos” ultimately received another UFC championship fight.
“I think just ’cause he dropped the charges on [Jorge] Masvidal,” Muhammad said. “There’s no other reason for it, you know? Both those guys were out because they had to go to court. Masvidal all of a sudden is free to fight now. Colby, all of a sudden, doesn’t have brain damage, and they both have fights.”
Here is our full video interview with Belal Muhammad:
