Belal Muhammad would have contemplated retirement if he failed to capture the UFC welterweight title.
It took Muhammad (24-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) a 10-fight unbeaten streak to earn his first UFC title shot. He dethroned Leon Edwards in an upset win at UFC 304 to become welterweight champion.
Muhammad was promised a title shot after defeating Gilbert Burns at UFC 288. However, the UFC opted to give Colby Covington the opportunity instead at UFC 296, making Muhammad wonder how long he would have to wait before earning his.
It was also revealed that Edwards was offered Islam Makhachev, Khamzat Chimaev and Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 300, but all three turned it down due to observing Ramadan. Muhammad never got the call, even though he was willing to take the fight during Ramadan.
So, when he finally was awarded that shot, Muhammad knew he had to make the most of it.
“It was to the point in my head where I was looking at it like, if I lost, there’s a chance that I’m probably just going to be like, ‘Bro, I’m hanging them up because I’m not going to get another shot at it,” Muhammad said on “The Fighter and The Kid.”
“It was so hard to get there. I’m begging you guys to make a video for me to hype me up and get a shot there. I hate asking people for anything, but I’m just like, ‘Bro, I need – I’m so desperate to do whatever it takes to get this shot that I’ll try anything.'”
Muhammad plans on being an active champion and is targeting his first title defense for December. He expects unbeaten Shavkat Rakhmonov next or potentially former champion Kamaru Usman, who’s been building a feud with him.
