Morning Report: Belal Muhammad believes Kamaru Usman is ‘tougher fight’ than Shavkat Rakhmonov: ‘I see a lot of holes’

Belal Muhammad is scoping out his challengers.

It is bizarre when meritorious choices are made and really feel bizarre within the UFC. Have a look at poor Magomed Ankalaev as a major instance within the mild heavyweight division. Nevertheless, the identical cannot be stated at welterweight because the course was corrected with Muhammad’s long-awaited title shot rematch in opposition to Leon Edwards at UFC 304 in July.

Positive, we needed to get by means of an obscure and disappointing third Colby Covington title shot to get to it, however higher late than by no means, as Muhammad gained through unanimous determination to develop into the brand new champion. For Muhammad’s first title shot, he has two polar reverse contender choices on the meritocracy scale. The primary is the seemingly apparent undefeated 18-0 finisher Shavkat Rakhmonov, who continues to construct his identify in every look. Then again, there’s the previous champion Kamaru Usman who’s winless in his final three fights (20-4 total).

Whereas neither has impressed Muhammad probably the most amongst prime contenders, he sees the arguably least logical possibility as the biggest hurdle.

“Ian [Machado] Garry I believe most likely had the hardest win out of all of them, beating ‘MVP’ (Michael ‘Venom’ Web page),” Muhammad stated on Believe You Me. “‘MVP’s’ a troublesome puzzle to resolve. So for him to win that and be undefeated is like, man, however I believe simply the followers and the UFC, I see them Shavkat like that subsequent man in line and I’m gladly prepared to do it, proper?

“For me, I’d suppose Usman’s a more durable struggle. Once I take a look at Shavkat, I see numerous holes and I see many paths to victory. Once I take a look at a struggle and I take a struggle, I provide you with a technique. I consider: The place’s this man weak at? Let me take him there. Alright, nicely, you guys wished to check it. That’s why I believe for the UFC they don’t need to put him in opposition to an Usman for a No. 1 contender struggle as a result of Usman beats him, it’s like we simply misplaced an undefeated man, new blood, and we get Usman again within the combine once more who was simply the reigning champ for 5 years. I believe they need new blood typically.”

Muhammad, 36, has already had quite a few social media spats with every of his prime two selections to face for his first protection. It is only a matter of finding out the when and the place it should go down in opposition to whomever.

Within the case of Usman, he defended his title 5 occasions earlier than he dropped it to the aforementioned Edwards in August 2022. A loss of their trilogy bout got here the next March earlier than Usman took a short-notice struggle at middleweight in opposition to Khamzat Chimaev in October, dropping a second straight majority determination. He hasn’t fought since.

Muhammad has been vocal about desirous to cement his legacy at 170 and taking out all comers to take action. On the similar time, he acknowledges that prize-fighting continues to be the secret.

“Clearly, cash performs an enormous consider the whole lot,” Muhammad stated. “Usman, you most likely take advantage of cash with as a result of I believe he’s the largest identify. Legacy-wise, he was the man that was the reigning champion for a very long time, Dana White stated he was higher than ‘GSP’ (Georges St-Pierre). So, I believe legacy, for certain, I’d need to struggle Usman earlier than he’s accomplished. However Shavkat is that man.

“I beat him, there’s actually nothing you’ll be able to say. Undefeated, 18-0, all finishes, he’s younger. There’s nothing you’ll be able to say. I don’t suppose Shavkat’s the sort to make excuses after he loses the struggle.”

Solutions. Mailbag: Demetrious Johnson’s retirement, Sean Brady’s huge win, and Noche UFC

Greats. Dana White reveals his Mount Rushmore for the highest 4 UFC fighters of all-time

Rollercoaster. ONE’s Chatri Sityodtong releases statement after Mikey Musumeci hospitalized throughout weight minimize

Dialogue. UFC 306 roundtable: Is the Sean O’Malley period about to return to an abrupt finish?

Continuation. Cain Velasquez sentencing set for subsequent month after pleading no-contest to tried homicide

Beef. Movsar Evloev responds to Aljamain Sterling’s PED accusations: ‘I can’t wait to beat his ass’

Battle. Oscar De La Hoya boasts he’s attending UFC 306 over Canelo Alvarez struggle, Dana White responds

MMA Combating’s Mike Heck chats with Movsar Evloev.

UFC 306 Embedded.

UFC 306 Promo 2.

O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili preview.

Historical past of bantamweight.

Mighty retirement entry.

Paddy’s self-breakdown.

Chandler neck work.

Lili Ferreira highlights.

On To the Subsequent One. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Alex K. Lee talk about the fights to make after UFC Vegas 97.

Get up with somewhat Jinjer to start out your day.

Go to Twitter, use the #MorningReport hashtag, or discover one among my tweets with it, and drop me a jam you’re presently actually into. I’ll choose the very best one alongside my each day selection and provide you with a shoutout! You too can share within the feedback under — these are simply tougher to sift by means of typically!

This month’s full playlist:

Cinematic.

Completely regular sparring.

Quickly.

Travels.

Ricky Turcios (13-4) vs. Benardo Sopaj (11-3); UFC Vegas 100, Nov. 9

I actually hope we keep on with the meritocracy within the welterweight division. Usman getting the title shot can be madness. I suppose we’ve most likely seen crazier although, haven’t we?

Thanks for studying!

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