Kamaru Usman reveals a strong animosity exists between himself and the current UFC welterweight champion, Belal Muhammad.
Both fighters have upcoming bouts scheduled. Muhammad is set to defend his title for the first time against Jack Della Maddalena in the main event of UFC 315 this Saturday, while Usman will make his return after nearly two years to face Joaquin Buckley in the headliner at UFC Atlanta.
Usman stated that since Muhammad captured the championship, the new titleholder has been targeting him on social media. Usman preferred to discuss their issues directly, attempting to do so on an unaired episode of his podcast, `Pound 4 Pound,` alongside co-host Henry Cejudo. The conversation reportedly became quite heated, suggesting their tension is now so high that a backstage encounter at a UFC event might escalate into a physical altercation.
Speaking to ESPN MMA, Usman confirmed the possibility of a physical confrontation if they were to cross paths backstage. He elaborated that while he is typically composed outside the octagon, being actively involved in fighting (“in the thick of it”) shifts his mindset. After a two-year hiatus, his return to active competition puts him back in that “on alert” state. He mentioned discussing this transition with Georges St-Pierre, concluding that due to the current dynamic, security might indeed be necessary to keep them separated backstage.
Muhammad currently boasts an impressive 11-fight unbeaten streak, having climbed the welterweight ranks to earn his title opportunity at UFC 304 in July. In that fight, “Remember the Name” secured his first UFC championship by dominating Leon Edwards.
While his winning streak is notable, sustained greatness in the division, placing one among icons like Matt Hughes, Georges St-Pierre, and Usman himself, is measured primarily by successful title defenses. Usman was posed the question of whether Muhammad possesses the capability to achieve a similar long-term reign at 170 pounds.
Usman believes such a legacy is possible for Muhammad. He explained that establishing dominance in a division requires a fighter to be proficient in all aspects of the sport. Divisions with frequent title changes often indicate champions lacking a key skill.
He stated that Belal Muhammad appears to be a well-rounded fighter who can “kind of do everything pretty good.” While his punching power hasn`t been a dominant factor yet, Usman suggested that with time as champion, Muhammad might gain confidence and showcase this aspect more. Ultimately, Usman concluded, potential is realized only by successfully overcoming a diverse range of challengers, mentioning fighters like Buckley, Michael Morales, Ian Machado Garry, and Shavkat Rakhmonov as examples.
