UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad didn't hold back when responding to recent criticism from former champ Kamaru Usman. After Usman questioned Muhammad’s reluctance to fight UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, Muhammad fired back, reminding Usman of his own unwillingness to face middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in the past.
During his appearance on MMA Junkie Radio, Muhammad called out Usman for not staying active and accused him of dodging tougher fights during his reign as welterweight king. "It’s funny when you have a guy who’s on a three-fight losing streak acting like he’s still the champ," Muhammad stated. "Bro, you’re just a podcaster now. You haven’t fought in over a year."
Muhammad pointed out that Usman, during his title reign, repeatedly fought Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal instead of facing the rising contenders in the division. According to Muhammad, Usman strategically avoided challenging matchups and was eventually dethroned by Leon Edwards.
With Usman now potentially eyeing a return, Muhammad suggested it might be time for him to step away. "If you’re not going to defend your ranking, then leave. Quit while you still have your legacy intact," Muhammad added.
As Muhammad gears up for future challenges, including possible fights with top contenders like Khamzat Chimaev, Usman’s future in the division remains uncertain.
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