Jun 12, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Belal Muhammad during UFC 263 at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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“No Knees, No Cartilage And A Big Head” – Belal Muhammad Takes A Dig At Former Champion At UFC Media Day

Belal Muhammad hints at deeper issues with Kamaru Usman ahead of his title fight with Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315!

Jun 12, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Belal Muhammad during UFC 263 at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The road to UFC gold is often paved with heated rivalries and personal grudges. For Belal Muhammad, that journey has been long and sometimes overlooked despite his impressive nine-fight unbeaten streak. His persistence finally paid off last July when he defeated Leon Edwards to claim the welterweight title at UFC 304. The victory was especially sweet for Muhammad, who had waited years for his shot while watching others jump the line.

Now, as Muhammad prepares for his first title defense against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 this Saturday in Montreal, another storyline has been simmering on the side. His ongoing feud with former champion Kamaru Usman has added extra spice to fight week. The bad blood between these two welterweight stars reportedly began during a heated argument while filming an episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast. While fans haven’t seen the footage of their confrontation, the aftermath continues to play out in interviews and social media exchanges.

Also Read: Belal Muhammad Exposes The Trigger Behind Kamaru Usman’s Podcast Blowup

Belal Muhammad Dismisses Kamaru Usman’s “Security” Concerns

During a recent interview, Kamaru Usman suggested that security might be needed if he and Muhammad were to cross paths backstage at a UFC event. The statement came across as a veiled threat from the former champion. He implied things could get physical between them outside the octagon. When asked about Usman’s comments at the UFC 315 media day, Muhammad didn’t miss his chance to fire back with a verbal jab of his own.

Tension rising! Usman says security would be required if he sees Belal backstage. 😳

🎥 @espnmma pic.twitter.com/HgJDDOraBo
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) May 6, 2025

“Who? “The former champ on a 3-fight losing streak? I don’t have to be afraid of that guy with no knees, no cartilage, and a big head. I think I’ll be fine.”

Reporter: What do you make of Kamaru Usman saying you'll need extra security?

Belal: Who?

Reporter: Kamaru Usman.

Belal: The former champ on a 3-fight losing streak? I’m not afraid of a guy with no knees, no cartilage, and a big head. I think I’ll be fine. 😤💀 #UFC315

🎥… pic.twitter.com/QrO2LnDXyy
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) May 7, 2025

The response was particularly cutting as it referenced both Usman’s recent career struggles and his well-documented knee problems. The former champion hasn’t tasted victory since August 2022, when he defeated Leon Edwards in their first encounter. Since then, Usman has dropped consecutive fights to Edwards twice and Khamzat Chimaev. Muhammad’s dismissive tone highlights how quickly things can change in the fight game.

Just two years ago, Usman was being discussed as potentially the greatest welterweight of all time, surpassing even Georges St-Pierre in some people’s eyes. For Muhammad, who spent years being overlooked, there might be a touch of satisfaction in watching the former champion struggle while he prepares for his moment in the spotlight at UFC 315. As for the interview that started it all, it may never see the light of the day.

(Image Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – 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!