Belal Muhammad has finished waiting in line. With the welterweight division in disarray and middleweight chaos brewing as a result of Dricus Du Plessis‘ latest injury, ‘Remember The Name’ has his eyes set higher—literally. The UFC welterweight contender spoke confidently and clearly, stating that he is not only open to a fight against Khamzat Chimaev at 185 pounds but has been actively chasing it. “I called out Khamzat when he was at 170. That’s one of those fights I was always looking for. I’m always looking for the toughest challenge.” Now that the middleweight title picture is hanging in limbo, he sees an opportunity to step in.
Muhammad did more than just show his interest; he also brought receipts. He believes ‘Borz’ is both explosive and predictable. “He goes so hard in the first round and comes out like a missile,” he told Submission Radio. But that’s where he sees the flaws. Khamzat Chimaev’s early burst is inviting to Muhammad, a fighter who thrives in deep waters. “For me, it’s just about taking him to the later rounds and start drowning him,” he said, sounding more like a strategist than just another hopeful opponent. In a fight industry obsessed with knockouts and rapid finishes, the welterweight champion is betting on grit, cardio, and the long game.
In the process, he delivered a brutal reality check to Dricus Du Plessis. The reigning middleweight champ may have scraped past Sean Strickland, but ‘Remember The Name’ doesn’t believe he stands a chance against Khamzat Chimaev. “I think he’ll walk through Du Plessis and become champion,” Muhammad said without doubt. It’s a bold call that shows how little he views Du Plessis’ chances in a possible match against the Chechen juggernaut. While fans continue to wonder if the South African’ fighter’s injury is legitimate or simply bad timing, Muhammad is already moving past ‘Stillknocks’ and placing ‘Borz’ on the throne.
All of this speculation gets more pressing when names like Caio Borralho and Paddy Pimblett circle for their own glory. Borralho, for one, is allegedly in talks to face Chimaev for the interim title at UFC 317. Paddy, meanwhile, aspires to two-division supremacy and hopes to challenge Muhammad at welterweight. But if ‘Remember The Name’ gets his way, both men may find the door closed. In calling out Chimaev and outlining a strategy to defeat him, Muhammad is placing himself as an obstacle in the path of anyone aspiring to middleweight or welterweight greatness. In fact, it might just fit the UFC’s vision, as the promotion is in no mood to set up an interim title fight.
UFC legend reveals Khamzat Chimaev might not get an interim title fight
The UFC’s unwillingness to proceed with an interim title fight could be the unexpected break Khamzat Chimaev needed. With Dricus Du Plessis out injured and Khamzat Chimaev originally scheduled for a middleweight championship fight, the promotion now finds itself in a holding pattern. While many fans expected Caio Borralho to fill the vacancy, that storyline may already be collapsing. Without an interim gold in play, Chimaev may be forced to pivot—and if that pivot takes him down to 170, it opens the door to a big welterweight title fight with Belal Muhammad. Not a superfight, but a full-fledged championship bout.
Daniel Cormier made it quite clear that an interim title battle between Chimaev and Borralho would be “unjust.” In his opinion, Du Plessis has been too active, too present, and, frankly, too good to be temporarily replaced at the top. “There’s no reason for an interim championship fight… it would be, in my opinion, one of the most unjust interim titles made in recent UFC history,” Cormier stated. He even drew parallels to the Tom Aspinall–Jon Jones scenario, in which prolonged inactivity justified the belt. That is not the situation here. ‘Stillknocks’ just defended the title, and any interim talk, according to DC, is just noise.
So, with that fight likely out of the picture, Chimaev is left without an opponent—and ‘Remember The Name’ is already standing with his hand raised. Stylistically, it’s an intriguing pairing. Narratively, it’s even juicier. And, strategically, it suddenly makes complete sense. A five-round co-main event at 185 would provide the UFC with a fan-friendly war, give Du Plessis time to heal, and give Belal Muhammad the high-stakes test he has long desired. What appeared to be a setback for ‘Borz’ may instead develop into the chaos Muhammad was hoping for. What do you think? Will we get to see the two fight? Let us know in the comments.
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