Kamaru Usman acknowledges tension with UFC welterweight champ Belal Muhammad, as both prepare for upcoming fights, and believes Muhammad has the potential to build a legacy akin to past greats if he successfully defends his title against varied challengers.
Kamaru Usman feels there’s no love lost with UFC welterweight champ Belal Muhammad. Both fighters have upcoming bouts. Muhammad headlines UFC 315 this Saturday, defending his title against Jack Della Maddalena. Meanwhile, Usman returns after nearly two years to face Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta.
Since Muhammad snagged the title, Usman claims the champ’s been throwing shade on social media. Usman prefers a chat—something they attempted on an unreleased podcast episode with Henry Cejudo. It got heated, and Usman suggests a backstage encounter could escalate. “Probably,” he told ESPN MMA, noting his usual calm demeanor outside the cage.
Usman shares that being outside the fight scene changes things. He had a chat with Georges St-Pierre about this transition. Now that he’s back, security might be wise.
Muhammad’s on an 11-fight unbeaten streak, climbing the ranks to capture UFC gold by dominating Leon Edwards at UFC 304. While impressive, Usman believes title defenses define greatness. Can Muhammad join legends like Matt Hughes, St-Pierre, and Usman himself?
“I think so,” Usman says. To dominate a division, you need well-rounded skills. Usman notes that Muhammad’s still working on his punching power. But if he can overcome challenges from fighters like Buckley, Morales, Garry, and Rakhmonov, he might just build a legacy.