UFC’s welterweight division is up for grabs, and the main question is who will get the title shot. Belal Muhammad already surprised the UFC fans at UFC 304 by winning against Leon Edwards. When he was asked who his first title defense would be, he called out former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and Shavkat Rakhmonov. The 29-year-old has an amazing MMA record with 18 victories; however, Usman is coming off three losses, two of them against Leon Edwards and one against Khamzat Chimaev.

So in this context, Rakhmonov was bold enough to dismiss the notion that the former champion should even think of fighting for the welterweight title. He voiced his opinions during an interview as well.

Shavkat Rakhmonov comments on Kamaru Usman’s desire for a title shot

During an interview with Submission Radio, the number 3-ranked Welterweight fighter blatantly said that Usman does not deserve a title shot. He said, “Yeah I don’t know what he is thinking about. Like I think it’s kind of a shame to ask for a title shot after losing three fight streaks. Like in my head, I cannot get my head around it. But it is what it is.”

He has achieved an amazing journey through the 170-pound division since his debut against Alex Olivera and UFC 254. ‘Nomad’ has an impressive record of 18 victories, all coming through finishing either through submission or a knockout. He responded to Usman’s training for the title fight against ‘Remember the Name’ and posted on X. He highlighted that ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ lost three fights and said, “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.”

After seeing the records of both fighters side by side, it is evident that ‘Nomad’ deserves to fight against Muhammad and might get a chance for the welterweight gold.

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Shavkat Rakhmonov against Belal Muhammad

Even Mohammad’s boxing coach Horacio Gutierrez was confident about this matchup while he was mentioning Kamaru Usman’s performances. “I think they’re gonna give us [Rakhmonov] because he’s undefeated and he has all finishes and stuff like that…I don’t see anyone else…Usman has a lose streak…so I think it’s going to be the Russian and I’m excited to to get him ready for that one from a striking or a boxing perspective,” he said in a recent conversation.

On the other hand, Usman has already started to train, even though he does not have a fight schedule yet. On top of that, even Daniel Cormier had backed up his matchup against Muhammad, especially because both of them had started a new rivalry through social media.

Meanwhile, Rakhmonov has already sent a warning sign to the welterweight title winner while congratulating him. He wrote on X, “Congratulations on your well-deserved victory, @bullyb170! I hope you keep your word and defend your title against me when you’re ready, champ.” So who do you think is fighting Belal Muhammad next? Tell us in the comments below.