Belal Muhammad is not convinced that the UFC welterweight title picture is unfolding naturally.
Following Islam Makhachev’s move to 170 pounds and his championship win over Jack Della Maddalena, discussion has quickly shifted toward who should challenge him next. While the division saw multiple contenders shine on the same card, Muhammad believes the conversation is being quietly guided in a very specific direction.
At the center of his concern is Kamaru Usman.
A Crowded Division With Rising Names
The same night Makhachev claimed welterweight gold, Carlos Prates and Michael Morales delivered highlight finishes that immediately placed them among the division’s most dangerous contenders. Add established threats like Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Garry, and the list of deserving challengers grows quickly.
Despite that depth, Makhachev has openly mentioned Usman as a preferred opponent. Usman recently returned to the win column with a decision victory over Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta, snapping a rough stretch that included three straight losses and a lengthy absence from competition.
Muhammad sees that interest as more than coincidence.
“We See the Seeds Planted”
Speaking candidly, Muhammad suggested that Makhachev’s interest in Usman may be influenced behind the scenes.
“When I look at the Welterweight division — Islam being the champion — who do I think deserves it?” Muhammad explained. “Michael Morales for sure has earned it. But we see the seeds planted. We see Islam planting the seeds of Usman should be the next guy. Obviously they have the same manager. Obviously, the manager planted the seeds in his head.
Muhammad did not shy away from addressing the perceived advantage in that matchup.
“Do I think Usman is an easier matchup for him? Of course. The guy fought one time in three years, and he’s 1-3. I’m still ahead of you. Even though I lost my last two fights, I’m still 2-2. You can talk, say whatever you want — you turned down the fight. You didn’t want to fight, and I don’t think that should earn you a title fight when you say no to fights.“
Belal Muhammad believes Islam Makhachev and his manager are ‘planting the seed’ for an easier matchup against Kamaru Usman 😬
“Michael Morales for sure has earned it. We see Islam planting the seeds of Usman being the next guy. Obviously they have the same manager.
Do I think… pic.twitter.com/5EQIiHMkKZ
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) December 16, 2025
Muhammad and Usman have been linked to one another for years, with lingering animosity stemming from past exchanges and an alleged off-camera altercation following a podcast appearance. Despite mutual relevance in the division, the matchup has never materialized inside the Octagon.
With Makhachev now holding the belt, Muhammad believes the stakes are even higher and the margin for selective matchmaking smaller than ever.
As the UFC looks toward scheduling major welterweight bouts in 2026, pressure continues to build for clarity. Whether the next title challenger emerges through recent performances or familiar names remains to be seen, but Muhammad has made one thing clear. He is watching closely, and he is not buying the narrative without questioning how it is being written.
