Top-ranked welterweight contender says he's "never moving on" from Colby Covington
Top-ranked welterweight contender Belal Muhammad, who is ranked No.4 in the division, said that he's 'never moving on' from Colby Covington. 'Bully' put out a tweet with a laughing emoji, saying that he'd find the No.2-ranked welterweight contender soon.
Muhammad was gunning for a title shot against champion Leon Edwards, particularly due to his eight-fight winning streak. However, Colby Covington foiled Belal Muhammad's dreams of fighting for a championship, since the UFC is gunning for a title fight between 'Chaos' and 'Rocky'.
Here's what Belal Muhammad said in his tweet:
"I'm never moving on from Colby [Covington]. Wait till I find him."
Though the tweet seemed to be posted in good spirits, 'Bully' was pretty upset at 'Chaos' being offered the title shot, particularly since losing two of his last four fights. In an interview with ESPN, Belal Muhammad said that the UFC is 'rewarding Colby Covington for turning down fights'.
What Muhammad alluded to was his claim of 'Chaos' turning down a fight with him on more than one occasion. Here's what 'Bully' said:
"I wasn't expected to get screwed [by the UFC] with the guy who's been missing for 12 months, 13 months - and a guy that turned down fights with me, turned down fights with Khamzat, and he's getting rewarded for turning down fights."
Skip to 6:57 for Muhammad's rant on Colby Covington:
Covington vs. Edwards, Masvidal vs. Burns - Where does that leave Belal Muhammad?
It seems like the UFC and Dana White are keen on making the title fight between Colby Covington and Leon Edwards. Gilbert Burns and Jorge Masvidal are set to showdown in the co-main event of UFC 287. It is possible that the winner of the bout between 'Durinho' and 'Gamebred' will get the next title shot.
Where do all these developments leave the No.4-ranked Belal Muhammad? Regarding the Burns-Masivdal fight, if 'Durinho' wins the fight, there may be a possibility of him fighting Muhammad next, since 'Bully' is ranked a spot above him in the rankings.
There is also the possibility that Burns may get the title shot if he wins against Masvidal in dominant fashion, or gets a finish. If Masvidal wins against Burns, he could either fight for the title or face Muhammad next, since he would take Burns' spot in the rankings.
If 'Gamebred' loses, the fight against Muhammad may not pan out, since the Miami-native hinted at retirement at the prospect of losing at UFC 287.
Muhammad hasn't fought since his second-round TKO finish against Sean Brady at UFC 280 in October 2022. A possible opponent for Muhammad could be Kamaru Usman, and 'Bully' even expressed a desire to fight him.