Belal Muhammad has a different answer for who he thinks deserves a UFC welterweight title shot and who will get it.
Champion Islam Makhachev is yet to have his first title defense booked as three contenders vie for their shot. Former champion Kamaru Usman (21-4 MMA, 16-3 UFC), Ian Machado Garry (17-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) and Michael Morales (19-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) appear to be the three in the conversation.
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Muhammad (24-5 MMA, 15-5 UFC), who’s coming off a decision loss to Machado Garry at UFC Fight Night 265 this past November, thinks undefeated Morales has the best case. Morales knocked out Sean Brady in Round 1 at UFC 322 – the same night Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC) won the belt.
“I think Morales probably deserves it the most,” Muhammad told MMA Junkie. “Being undefeated and finishing Brady the way he did, I thought it was an epic performance. I don’t even think Kamaru should be in the talks for a 170 belt. For Ian, he’s still at that point now where he can’t go five rounds. I don’t think he’s tough enough to go five rounds and has the cardio to go five rounds.
“So I just think that performance that Morales put on was the best performance he could have put on at the perfect time. I know he’s trying to talk his way into a fight by talking trash to Islam, but I don’t think that’s going to get it for him. Just keep promoting yourself, pull an Arman (Tsarukyan). Go on freaking streamers and podcasts and stuff like that. Get your name out there more that way than the trash talk way because it’s not authentic with him.”
But with Machado Garry’s ability to market himself, Muhammad thinks the UFC will go in the Irishman’s direction.
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“Probably Ian,” Muhammad said. “I would assume Ian. He’s got Ireland behind him, he’s a talker. He’s doing a good job of trying to push himself and promote himself to the front of the line. We’ll see. Ian is very smart with the way he moves and his length, but if Islam gets the takedown, it’s going to be a bad night for him.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Belal Muhammad on next UFC title shot: Morales or Machado Garry?
