Colby Covington doesn’t see Belal Muhammad fighting for the UFC welterweight title anytime soon.
Muhammad (23-3 MMA, 14-3 UFC) defeated Gilbert Burns (22-6 MMA, 15-6 UFC) in this past Saturday’s UFC 288 co-main event at Prudential Center in Newark N.J. – a fight that was declared a title eliminator by UFC president Dana White. But Covington (17-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC) was promised his title shot first, and Muhammad will have to wait until he challenges champion Leon Edwards (21-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC).
“They were fighting for nothing (Saturday night),” Covington told Submission Radio of Muhammad and Burns.
With Edwards vs. Covington yet to be scheduled, the former interim champ said Muhammad, who hasn’t lost in 10 consecutive fights, will need another win before getting his shot at gold.
“You think he’s just gonna sit out till early 2024? Because now this title fight’s getting pushed back till later in the end of the year,” Covington said. “You know, fall, winter. So you think he’s just gonna be able to sit out? He has that type of star power to sit out and then call his shot? No, he’s gonna have to fight again. And rightfully so.”
The UFC’s original plans was to make the July 22 Fight Night card in London a pay-per-view headlined by Edwards vs. Covington, but Edwards wanted more time before making his next title defense after retaining his belt against Kamaru Usman at UFC 286 in March. Edwards has said he’s eyeing UFC 294 in October.
“I know they’re pushing (the fight back),” Covington said. “I don’t know, they’re looking for August, September now is my guess. They don’t have anything locked in yet. The sooner the better for me. You guys know how I stay. I’m ready 24/7, 365. So, if it’s today, I’m ready. If it’s tomorrow, I’ll be ready.
“If it’s however long it is, it is just a formality. Everybody knows Leon’s nothing more than a placeholder. And his new name is ‘Low IQ Edwards’ because, guys, I want you guys to do some research on him. What is his education level? What did he, did he even get through middle school? Because his IQ is so low he’s stupid as Biden.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 288.