Belal Muhammad doesn’t think Colby Covington can hang with the best anymore.
The former UFC interim champion has come so close to undisputed gold but has fell just short of that, losing to then-champion Kamaru Usman in two close fights. Coming off a lone win over Jorge Masvidal more than year ago, Covington is said to be the next title challenger for current champ Leon Edwards, potentially at UFC 295 this November.
‘Leon Will Probably Walk Through’ Covington
The #3 ranked Muhammad doesn’t like Covington’s chances in that fight at all. Nor does he like the fact that Covington’s next in line for a title shot in front of him.
“I favor Leon. I don’t think Colby’s is the number one contender. He doesn’t deserve the fight. He’s not good. I think Leon will probably walk through him,” Muhammad told Helen Yee.
“I don’t think Colby is able or is good enough to compete with any of the guys in the division right now that are at the top five. I think anybody in the top five will beat him.”
Among Muhammad in the top five are Kamaru Usman, Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns.
Muhammad And ‘The Waiting Game’
The welterweight title fight between Edwards and Covington has yet to be confirmed for UFC 295 in November. Muhammad awaits the winner as he has been promised a title shot by the promotion.
“It’s the waiting game, right? I’m waiting for them to book Leon and Colby. I don’t know what’s going on with that, but I’m promised the title shot the winner of that. So for me, it’s just getting better growing every single time. And I think every fight I’ve had, you’re seeing a different version of me. So now you’re just gonna gimme more time to get a way better version of what I’m at now. So it’s only gonna be bad news for whoever I fight.”
“Why was the hold up so long?” Muhammad said of Edwards vs. Covington. “It’s taken this long, they don’t look unhealthy. They’re both talking like they’re healthy, so why wouldn’t they fight earlier? I mean, I’m hoping that it happens November. That’s a big card. Obviously if I’m Leon, I would want to fight in the same card as Jon Jones— big money fight, big arena at Madison Square Garden. So, it makes sense.”
‘Staying Ready’
Should things go south, Belal Muhammad is willing to the back-up fighter for Edwards vs. Covington.
“I’m gonna be staying ready no matter what. If they do make that fight, one of them get hurt, I’m gonna be stepping in,” Muhammad revealed. “Of course. I mean if they’re gonna pay me for [weighing in as an alternate], I’ll do it. And with Leon’s luck, he’s had a lot of pullouts, a lot of injuries that happened with his fights. He has had like the weirdest luck as a champion. So, I wouldn’t be surprised if one of them get hurt the day before the fight.”
