In the dynamic landscape of the UFC, championship titles can slip away as quickly as they are won, leaving fighters to navigate the aftermath of their reigns. The latest chapter involves welterweight champion Belal Muhammad addressing remarks made by former champion Kamaru Usman during a recent podcast episode. Usman’s critical input on Muhammad and fellow champion Islam Makhachev’s reluctance to stem their rivalry has not gone unnoticed—prompting Muhammad to call out Usman’s apparent hypocrisy while highlighting the latter’s ongoing struggles following a significant downturn in his career.
Kamaru Usman’s legacy as a welterweight champion includes a notable title reign characterized by high-profile defenses against competitors like Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal. However, his more recent encounters—a series of defeats culminating in a three-fight losing streak—have masked what was once a formidable presence in the octagon. After losing his title to Leon Edwards and failing to reclaim it in the immediate rematch, Usman’s addition of a short-notice loss to Khamzat Chimaev in a middleweight bout has added a bitter edge to his once-prominent career.
Belal Muhammad’s critique came at a time when Usman, now 37 years old, is at a crossroads, raising important questions about his future in the sport. With over a year since his last fight, Muhammad emphasized that Usman’s role has shifted. “You’re just a podcaster now,” Muhammad underscored, invoking the reality that while Usman once held the championship, he now needs to earn back his place within the welterweight rankings.
Moreover, Muhammad’s observations delve deeper into Usman’s choice of competition during his tenure. The current champion refuted Usman’s contention that fighters like himself and Makhachev should be eager to challenge one another while pointing to Usman’s own hesitation to seek out the toughest matchups. Muhammad underscored that Usman’s title reign featured a pattern of defending against familiar adversaries rather than genuinely pursuing the highest caliber of challengers.
Muhammad’s reflections reveal a growing frustration among fighters who have put in the work to climb the ranks. He expressed suspicion concerning Usman’s recent statements, suggesting that they served more as attempts to regain relevance rather than sincere insights into competitive dynamics. “He made it seem like he fought the next toughest guys, but he never fought the guys on a streak,” Muhammad criticized.
Even as Muhammad harshly critiques Usman’s recent assertions, he recognizes the former champion’s stable of accolades—including the fact that Usman remains a name that can draw interest within the UFC community. However, Muhammad articulated a straightforward solution: “I just need Usman to get a win,” he stated bluntly. The current champion believes that Usman must re-establish himself through performance before attempting to enter title contention discussions once more.
This perspective opens up the floors for discussions about Usman’s next moves. Potential matchups against up-and-coming fighters such as Kevin Holland or Jack Della Maddalena may afford Usman the opportunity to prove his mettle once more. Instead, Muhammad derided Usman’s apparent unwillingness to accept tough challenges, suggesting that Usman is adopting a passive, spectator-like approach as opposed to engaging robustly in the division’s competitive landscape.
Ultimately, the exchanges between Muhammad and Usman speak volumes regarding the competitive pressures within mixed martial arts. As fighters jockey for position and demand respect and recognition, they must also contend with the often relentless cycles of victory and loss. Usman’s previous successes have lent him a voice that now rings hollow amid his recent performances. Muhammad’s assertions reveal not only Usman’s shifting identity from champion to podcaster but also reflect broader trends in the UFC where fighters grapple not only with opponents inside the octagon but also with the weight of their own legacies outside it.
As Belal Muhammad looks to solidify his position as a defending champion, he calls for clarity and responsibility from those who once held titles—showing that even within the arena of combat, accountability remains paramount. The paths ahead for both Muhammad and Usman will tell stories of tenacity, ambition, and ultimately, reinvention.