The UFC’s welterweight champion isn’t one of the promotion’s most beloved titleholders but he’s certainly one of the most talked about.
Belal Muhammad is set to return in the main event of UFC 315 next month where he will defend the 170-pound title for the very first time.
Since winning the belt at UFC 304 last year, ‘Remember The Name’ has had a target on his back with the two men involved in this weekend’s Kansas City main event both chasing down Muhammad.
Even his next opponent, Jack Della Maddalena, has had some critical things to say about Muhammad’s fighting style but a former foe of his recently decided to ease up on the champ.
The number one contender in the welterweight division spoke out in support of the 36-year-old who is now just weeks away from headlining the Bell Center in Montreal.
Top contender Sean Brady comes out in support of ‘respectful’ Belal Muhammad
At UFC 280 in 2022, Belal Muhammad looked to extend his eight-fight unbeaten streak that included wins over Demian Maia, Stephen Thompson and Vicente Luque.
Whilst some fans were still critical of ‘Remember The Name’ in downplaying his performances and accomplishments, the same couldn’t be said for the undefeated Sean Brady.
With five consecutive wins inside the Octagon, the surging contender was on a fast track to the top of the division but his momentum came crumbling down after he was stopped by Muhammad in the second round.
This setback did age well for Brady with his one and only loss coming to the man that would go on to become the champion whilst he’s rebounded in style with big wins over Kelvin Gastelum, Gilbert Burns and Leon Edwards.
With Brady now occupying the #1-ranking at 170-pounds, he’s within touching distance of a rematch with Muhammad but there’s no bad feelings towards the champ.
He told MMA Fighting in a recent interview that he believes the negativity that Muhammad attracts isn’t justified even if he does encourage it on social media.
“There was never any beef with us. He gave me my first loss—he was the better man that night. Kudos to him but yeah, I’ve always said I think he gets a lot of hate for no reason. He like plays up to it on social media but you have to do what you have to do to sell fights and that’s all he’s doing.
“He was very respectful to me in the cage, after the fight, and yeah, I have no problems with him but of course, as a competitor, as a fighter, I can’t wait to fight him again but it’s nothing but respect from me to all these guys. I don’t have beef with anybody unless you’re like Colby (Covington).”
Sean Brady is down to fight Shavkat Rakhmonov to prove he’s the number one contender
Sean Brady is in a bit of an awkward position right now because despite having the #1 next to his name, Shavkat Rakhmonov might be ahead of him in the title shot queue.
Rakhmonov defeated Ian Machado Garry last December to cement his status as the next in line but an injury prevented him from fighting at UFC 315 next month.
Brady’s simple solution to this is that if the UFC need either man to prove that they’re deserving of the opportunity, he’s happy to face off with ‘The Nomad’.
He told MMA Fighting in the same interview that he’s got no problem competing in a title eliminator in order to clear the situation up.
“If you look at who he’s beaten as of late and who I’ve beaten, it should be me but I’m not gonna wait around for something that’s not guaranteed so if the UFC wants to do me and Shavkat, I’m fine with that. I know I’m the best fighter in the world, on this planet, so if I have to go beat Shavkat and then fight for the belt, I’m cool with that.”
