Belal Muhammad is looking to fight either Leon Edwards or Colby Covington next time out.
At UFC 263, Muhammad earned a clear-cut decision win over Demian Maia to cement himself as a top-10 welterweight. Now, for his next fight, he wants a five-round scrap against whoever doesn’t get the title shot between Edwards and Covington.
“I’m hoping either September or October,” Muhammad told MMA Junkie on his next fight. “Definitely want a five-round fight. I feel like I earned a five-round fight. Like I said, the only guys that beat Maia have fought for the title or were champions. So for beating a guy like that, I think I earned a five-round fight especially after taking that Leon fight.
“Honestly, if you’re really thinking about it, I look at stuff and what makes sense,” Muhammad continued. “If you’re thinking about what makes sense, if Colby or Leon, one of them guys gets the title fight then I should be getting the other guy in a five-round fight.”
Muhammad certainly has a point as of right now, the welterweight division is stagnant at the top. Both Covington and Edwards are holding out for a title shot while the winner of Stephen Thompson vs. Gilbert Burns at UFC 264 will be right there as well.
However, Muhammad believes he deserves the chance to headline another card and do so in a potential number one contender fight.
“Gilbert Burns is fighting ‘Wonderboy’ so both of those guys are out of there,” Muhammad said. “Colby and what ya call it are not gonna fight each other, Masvidal is gonna look for a big money fight, so none of those guys are gonna be fighting. So honestly, it makes sense for me to get one of those guys in a five-round fight.”
Belal Muhammad is currently ranked ninth at welterweight.
