The dust has barely settled on Belal Muhammad’s shocking upset over Leon Edwards at UFC 304, and the callouts are coming in hot. Still, the welterweight division is already buzzing for what is next for the new champion. Enter Shavkat Rakhmonov, the undefeated Kazakh fighter who’s been turning heads and transferring people over to the other dimension.
Muhammad’s victory over Leon Edwards was nothing short of spectacular. He defied the odds and silenced critics with a dominant performance. But in the fight game, there’s always another challenge waiting in the wings. Rakhmonov wasted no time making his presence felt after the main event. He took it to social media with a friendly reminder to the new champ.
“Congratulations on your well-deserved victory, @bullyb170! I hope you keep your word and defend your title against me when you’re ready, champ,” wrote Rakhmonov.
It seems the two had a gentleman’s agreement about a future title shot, as Rakhmonov politely asked Muhammad to keep his word about a title defense. It’s refreshing to see such sportsmanship in a sport known for trash talk.
Shavkat Rakmonov has a 100% finish rate, that is, 18 fights and 18 finishes. He has finished every opponent placed against him since his professional career started. His last fight was against the veteran striker Stephen Thompson, whom he submitted via a rear naked choke. Whether Belal Muhammad can withstand Rakhmonov’s onslaught remains to be seen.
Belal Muhammad Reveals He Never Turned Down Any Fight
Still basking in the glow of his victory, Muhammad addressed the challenge the undefeated Rakhmonov put forth. He revealed that he had never been one to back down from a fight, and he was not starting to do that now.
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The new champ seems eager to cement his legacy as the greatest welterweight. Considering the division’s storied history with athletes like Georges Saint-Pierre and Kamaru Usman, it’s a lofty goal. But after UFC 304, he put the critics to bed.
“I’ve literally never turned down a fight… I’m not gonna sit there and call out these random guys…Who’s next in line, who’s the best in line. I’m gonna show you what I am and what I can do,” stated Muhammad at the post-fight press conference.
In all of this welterweight buzz, former champ Leon Edwards finds himself in unfamiliar territory. After years of dominance, he looks up at the mountain he once ruled. Muhammad humorously suggested Edwards might need three years to earn a rematch. But UFC 304 just ended. Fans remain curious about who will be the first title defense for ‘Remember The Name.’
Also Read: Dana White Savagely Cuts Muhammad Mokaev Despite Undefeated Status
