MMA
Belal Muhammad debates first welterweight title defense opponent
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Belal Muhammad is fresh off of producing a dominant unanimous decision over Leon Edwards to become the new welterweight world champion at UFC 304 late last month.
But that isn't stopping the newly-crowned champ from whittling down names for his first possible title defense fight.
So far, Muhammad has tabbed Kamaru Usman and Shavkat Rakhmonov as possibilities and has circled late this year to squeeze either fight in.
"Hopefully, I get something at the end of the year," Muhammad recently told TMZ Sports. "Maybe that December card. That would be the perfect moment for me. I think that would be perfect turnaround time.
"The guy that's the highest ranked is Shavkat, and he's the boogeyman of the division," Muhammad said of the 18-0 fighter, "so that one makes sense."
Or Muhammad wouldn't mind testing skills with former champion Usman.
"But, there's also Usman right there as well. I know he's on a losing streak, but legacy-wise, he was the guy that Dana White said is better than all the other champions. Dana White said he's better than GSP."
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