Belal Muhammad pitches Kamaru Usman as best path to finally getting UFC title shot

Belal Muhammad only sees one logical option to finally secure a UFC title shot.

Unbeaten in his past nine fights, Muhammad thinks he’s done enough to earn a crack at the welterweight belt. But after Dana White named Colby Covington the No. 1 contender and champion Leon Edwards said he has eyes on Jorge Masvidal, Muhammad likely willl have to fight at least one more time.

White mentioned plans of Shavkat Rakhmonov, but Muhammad (22-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) thinks former champ Kamaru Usman (20-3 MMA, 15-2 UFC) makes more sense.

“For me, I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy path,” Muhammad told MMA Junkie. “I knew I would have to claw and scratch my way all the way up to where I’m at today. Nothing was ever given to me, so I think for me it’s now getting, ‘What’s that big name?’

“A guy like Kamaru Usman, former champion, a guy that people consider the GOAT in the division, a guy that was the reigning champ for so long – I think beating a guy like that that the mainstream world knows, the media knows, that’s what I can only think really makes sense.”

When making a comparison to his situation, Muhammad referenced Edwards’ long road to a title shot and how he earned it off beating a marquee name – and he looks to do the same.

“You look at when Leon was on this long streak – they gave him Nate Diaz because they were trying to do something to build him up,” Muhammad said. “The dude doesn’t talk. The dude’s not good on the mic. He doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t promote himself. But for a guy like me, I’m promoting myself. I’m pushing myself. I think the only thing else that I need is just that one key win, even though I do think I had it already. I think Kamaru would be that win.”