With a toe infection, UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad has poured cold water on the hopes of undefeated Kazakh prospect Shavkat Rakhmonov to dominate the division. Rakhmonov, who hasn’t stepped into the octagon since last year, is now left without an opponent and is awaiting a chance to compete. Frustrated, Rakhmonov expects UFC to at least consider an interim title fight at the upcoming UFC 310, initially scheduled as Muhammad’s maiden title defense.

While ‘Bully B’ dismissed the idea, claiming he’ll be out for “six weeks, not six months,” ‘Nomad’, after briefly expressing sympathy for Muhammad’s injury, has now returned to an aggressive stance, openly challenging the narratives surrounding Muhammad’s injury and questioning his commitment.

Shavkat Rakhmonov questions Belal Muhammad’s intent to compete

Since Belal Muhammad dethroned Leon Edwards for the welterweight title, tensions with Shavkat Rakhmonov have only escalated. Muhammad has allegedly tried to avoid facing Rakhmonov multiple times. However, when Muhammad finally agreed to confront him, an injury got in the way.

In a surprising turn of events, today while speaking to Ariel Helwani, Rakhmonov turned the narrative surrounding Belal Muhammad’s injury upside down. Rakhmonov claimed, “You know, from what I heard and what I know, he got these injuries even earlier before it went public. I heard him training recently, so maybe he just posted this picture now, but the problem occurred even earlier. So, I think he was able to fight on December 7, but he wasn’t entirely sure and was just being extra careful about it.”

Rakhmonov’s sharp claims, however, directly contradict Belal Muhammad, who stated that he developed a foot infection just a day after sparring when his “foot blew up.” This information gained traction online during a podcast co-hosted by Jason Anik. While Shavkat Rakhmonov and his critics may say whatever they want, the UFC commentator remains supportive of Muhammad, particularly regarding his decision to withdraw from the fight.

Jon Anik dismisses the narratives surrounding Muhammad’s injury

Belal Muhammad, since his debut in the UFC, has wasted no time solidifying his status as a top contender in the promotion. He started with a loss, but over time, Muhammad has proven himself to be a “dark horse.” at 170lbs. Now, at 36, he is at the peak of his career, currently enjoying a lucrative 11-fight winning streak, with his latest victory against Leon Edwards, where he snatched the crown in front of over 17,000 fans in Manchester.

‘Bully B’ also committed to defending his title against the formidable Nigerian nightmare, Kamaru Usman. Jon Anik recently took to his X account to dismantle the ‘fake’ narratives surrounding Muhammad’s injury. Anik wrote, “For his legacy, it’s not at all surprising that Belal Muhammad would want the chance to defend his title against one of the all-time welterweight greats in Kamaru Usman, but the notion that he is somehow trying to sidestep Shavkat Rakhmonov is straight fake news.”

What are your thoughts on Shavkat Rakhmonov‘s claims? Do you believe that Belal Muhammad would go to such extremes to evade Rakhmonov in the octagon, considering that a matchup between them seems inevitable? Drop your opinion below.

(This story is developing)