The landscape in the UFC’s welterweight division has seen a significant shift after UFC 304! Belal Muhammad shocked the world with a unanimous decision win over Leon Edwards and became the first-ever UFC champion of Palestinian descent.
So who’s next for a shot at the 170 lbs crown? That’s been the question buzzing in the MMA sphere.
Kamaru Usman and Shavkat Rakhmonov, ranked no. 2 and 3 respectively, have been campaigning for a chance to step into the cage against Belal Muhammad. But according to UFC veteran, Chael Sonnen, Rakhmonov may have to deal with a significant hurdle unrelated to his performances inside the Octagon!
Chael Sonnen raises concerns over Shavkat Rakhmonov’s “self-promotion” hindering his title shot chances
Shavkat Rakhmonov, the undefeated Kazakh phenom, seems like a no-brainer for a title shot. But speaking on his YouTube channel, Chael Sonnen indicated that his path to championship glory may not be as straightforward as it seems. The UFC veteran shared, “Whoever wins this battle, this debate for public opinion will be the one that goes into the world title fight.”
Rakhmonov has already fired off against Usman on social media, a fact that Sonnen also referenced in his statement. ‘Nomad’ took to X and stated, “18-0 with 100% finishes or 0-3 in the last three fights. I think there should be no question who fights next for the title”, pointing out that Usman has been on a losing streak ever since he lost his title to Leon Edwards at UFC 278 in 2021.
But is it enough? Sonnen raised an interesting point as he claimed, “…this is not new, (Shavkat) Rakhmonov did not increase his record since then, he already had the record he’s talking about. Kamaru Usman did not get defeated since then, he’d already had the record. It’s the first time that Rakhmonov is speaking up though. It’s the first time Rakhmonov is trying to get into a battle and it’s an important one.”
According to the UFC veteran, perception is everything. As such, Sonnen suggested that while Shavkat Rakhmonov’s record is undeniable and he “…is going to be in there for the world championship, is he going to be in there next?…the only thing that’s giving reservation to anybody that’s making the decision is, do I have a guy that understands self-promotion is large part of this game?”
As Sonnen hinted, it’s not just about getting into the championship fight—it’s about getting in there next. Because Kamaru Usman is determined to get back the title he once held from the man he believes is an inferior version of himself!
‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ believes the welterweight champion isn’t on his level
Kamaru Usman isn’t ready to fade into the shadows just yet. His target? The newly crowned welterweight champion, Belal Muhammad. As a sizable underdog, few believed he could topple Leon Edwards, a fighter who had twice bested Usman. But according to ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’, Belal Muhammad’s win isn’t all that impressive in his eyes.
Speaking on the Pound 4 Pound podcast, Usman fired a salvo at Muhammad by stating, “My man, you’re kind of a not-so-good version of myself. You’re kind of a — everything he does, I do better…He’s like, ‘Oh, I did what you couldn’t do: I beat Leon Edwards.’ I have a win over Leon Edwards, and in the second fight, I dominated Leon Edwards until lightning struck and he landed the kick.”
Usman isn’t wrong here as he does hold a victory over Leon Edwards from their clash in 2015. The former champion is convinced that Muhammad’s newfound status has gone to his head. “It’s like your first beer,” Usman quipped, suggesting that the title has emboldened Belal Muhammad to talk recklessly. But for Usman, this isn’t just trash talk—it’s a challenge. He’s eager to prove that he’s still the superior fighter and deserves another shot at the belt.
In the UFC, where public opinion can tip the scales, the fight to be next in line for the belt may be as fierce as the fight itself. With Kamaru Usman hungry for redemption and Shavkat Rakhmonov eager to solidify his place, the road to the welterweight throne promises to be anything but straightforward. Do you think Shavkat Rakhmonov deserves the next title shot over Kamaru Usman?