Belal Muhammad doesn’t agree with some people that think Kamaru Usman has surpassed Georges St-Pierre as the welterweight GOAT.
Usman has been the champion since March of 2019 when he defeated Tyron Woodley and since then, has defended his belt five times, but only against three people. He has beaten Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal both twice and Gilbert Burns. Muhammad says the welterweight Mt. Rushmore is St-Pierre, Matt Hughes, Tyron Woodley, and B.J. Penn.
“No, he ain’t getting that respect until he beats me,” Muhammad told MMA Junkie Radio. “And if you’re looking at it, people keep saying is he one of the best welterweights ever of all time, and I’m like – he’s beaten Colby (Covington) twice, he’s beaten (Jorge) Masvidal twice and he’s beaten Gilbert (Burns). Those are just three guys. It’s not like he’s gotten through seven or eight different opponents. Respect – he’s the champion. He’s staying busy. But you’re fighting rematches before you’re giving other guys a chance to match up against you.”
Belal Muhammad certainly has a point as Kamaru Usman has only defeated three people since he was the champ. He is expected to face Leon Edwards next – who he already holds a win over – but that would add to his legacy. But, for Muhammad, he believes he will fight for UFC gold and dethrone Usman pretty soon.
“After my next fight, for sure it’s going to be fighting for the title no matter what,” Muhammad said. “For me, I’m trying to think of when Usman is actually going to fight. If you’re looking at it, they haven’t booked that (Usman vs. Leon Edwards) fight. They said it, they brought it up, but it’s been months. I think that his hand is more injured than he’s letting on, and I think people keep re-injuring their hand with that type of injury. So I really think he’s not (Usman vs. Leon Edwards) be fighting until later on in the year, and if that’s the case, a fight with me and Leon does really make a lot of sense.”
