Oct 22, 2022; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Belal Muhammad (red gloves) is introduced before his fight against Sean Brady (blue gloves) during UFC 280 at Etihad Arena. Mandatory Credit: Craig Kidwell-USA TODAY Sports

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‘Bro, You’re A Podcaster Now’ – UFC Welterweight Champ Belal Muhammad Goes Off On Ex-Champion For Inactivity

Belal Muhammad criticizes the former champion in a recent interview, sharing his thoughts on their past rivalry and more!

Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman finds himself in a precarious position. Once a dominant force who ruled the 170-pound division with an iron fist, Usman has recently been on a downward spiral that’s caught the attention of his successor, Belal Muhammad.

The transition from champion to challenger can be brutal, and Usman is learning this the hard way. Belal Muhammad now wears the welterweight crown after defeating Leon Edwards in July 2024 at UFC 304. He didn’t hold back in a recent interview that sent shockwaves through the MMA community.

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Belal Muhammad Slams Former Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman

Muhammad is known for his trash talk. With razor-sharp words, he essentially told Kamaru Usman that his days of relevance are over. He highlighted Usman’s three-fight losing streak and his extended absence from the octagon.

“He’s on a three-fight losing streak, and when these guys are calling him out, he’s acting like, he’s putting himself on this pedestal like he’s still the champion like they shouldn’t be calling him out. Bro, you’re just a podcaster now. You haven’t fought in over a year, and if you’re not gonna defend your ranking, then leave, quit.”

The criticism stems from Usman’s recent performances and his public statements. After losing to Leon Edwards twice and Khamzat Chimaev in his last three fights, Usman has been attempting to maintain his status by challenging those calling him out. Belal Muhammad sees this as nothing more than desperation.

What makes Belal Muhammad’s critique particularly cutting is the context of Usman’s decline. Just a few years ago, Usman was considered one of the most dominant champions in UFC history, with an incredible run (15-fight win streak) that seemed almost untouchable. Now, at 37 years old, he’s struggling to remain relevant in a division that’s constantly evolving.

It must be noted that there is an unaired episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast, hosted by Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo, featuring Belal Muhammad. Apparently, there was a lot of animosity between these two during the filming. Fans are begging Usman and Cejudo to release that episode!

(Image Credit: Craig Kidwell – Imagn Images)

Belal Muhammad

Kamaru Usman

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!