"Loser makes a public apology" - Belal Muhammad challenges Demetrious Johnson to a "pick-off" for The Sphere card to settle escalating feud
Belal Muhammad and Demetrious Johnson have butted heads over the latter's fight analysis, and the new UFC welterweight champion has now challenged the all-time great flyweight to an analysis-based showdown.
Muhammad took to X/Twitter to respond to Johnson's reaction to his previous criticism. He clarified that when he was being critical of 'Mighty Mouse', it wasn't about his skills as a fighter but his skills as an analyst.
Moreover, 'Remember the Name' called on him to accept a friendly wager revolving around the Noche UFC 306 card that will be held at The Sphere on Sept. 14:
"I didn't say u suck at fighting I said you suck at analyzing and picking fights ...I challenge you to a pick off for the sphere card ..we pick all the fights and loser makes a public apology"
Whether Johnson will accept the wager remains to be seen. 'Mighty Mouse' is one of several UFC fighters, both former and current, who have parlayed their octagon experience into a part-time career as MMA analysts. He has his own YouTube channel, on which he breaks down fighters and predicts upcoming bouts.
Given the sheer depth of technical skill he displayed during his more active days as a fighter, his opinion is largely respected by the MMA fandom. Muhammad, however, took issue with 'Mighty Mouse's' take on him ahead of his UFC 304 title fight with then-welterweight champion Leon Edwards.
Many expected Edwards to win given the trajectory that their initial fight seemed to be trending toward. However, Muhammad authored his finest-ever performance, dominating much of the fight to dethrone Edwards in Manchester, England.
Belal Muhammad has feuded with several UFC fighters as of late
While Belal Muhammad has often conducted himself in a respectful manner, he has had a chip on his shoulder as of late, trash-talking several fighters, ex-middleweight champion Sean Strickland and former welterweight titleholder Kamaru Usman being among the most high-profile.
In fact, Muhammad even released a AI diss track on Usman, poking fun at 'The Nigerian Nightmare' for his recent rough patch, which has seen rack up three consecutive losses.