Belal Muhammad Next Fight: Shavkat Rakhmonov To Get Welterweight Title Shot

UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad has made it clear that Shavkat Rakhmonov is next in line for a title shot after his upcoming defense against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315. Muhammad’s statement, “Like I have another guy in line anyway, I think it’s a Shavkat. There is nothing he can do to skip Shavkat,” has effectively shut down any notion that the upcoming bout between Leon Edwards and Sean Brady could determine the next challenger.

😬Belal Muhammad said neither Leon Edwards nor Sean Brady will get the next title fight:

“Leon, you have 3-4 years before you can even think about the rematch…

Like I have another guy in line anyway, I think it’s a Shavkat. There is nothing he can do to skip Shavkat.”

🎥… pic.twitter.com/rpVTezf704

— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) March 4, 2025

Rakhmonov’s Path to the Title

Shavkat Rakhmonov has been on a tear through the welterweight division, amassing an impressive 19-0 professional record with all but one of his victories coming by way of knockout or submission. The Kazakhstani fighter’s most recent victory came against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310, where he secured a unanimous decision win in a competitive fight.

Ian Machado Garry. Only man to survive Shavkat Rakhmonov. Respect. pic.twitter.com/KpJyulHwcD

— Full Violence ™ (@Full_Violence) December 8, 2024

Initially, Rakhmonov was scheduled to face Muhammad for the title at UFC 310 in late 2024. However, the champion was forced to withdraw due to a foot infection. Despite this setback, Rakhmonov’s performance against Garry kept him firmly in the title picture.

Muhammad’s insistence on Rakhmonov as the next challenger comes as a blow to former champion Leon Edwards, who is set to face Sean Brady at UFC Fight Night 255. While Edwards likely hoped that a win over Brady would put him back in title contention, Muhammad’s comments suggest that the road back to the belt may be longer than anticipated for the British fighter.

The Champion’s Perspective

Belal Muhammad is currently focused on his upcoming title defense against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 on May 10 in Montreal. However, he’s already looking ahead to the challenge Rakhmonov presents.

Belal Muhammad will defend his UFC welterweight title against Jack Della Maddalena in the main event at UFC 315 in Montreal, Dana White announced. pic.twitter.com/YwFREQsZyA

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) February 20, 2025

As the welterweight division continues to evolve, this potential matchup between Muhammad and Rakhmonov promises to be one of the most exciting title fights in recent memory. With Muhammad’s experience and well-rounded skill set pitted against Rakhmonov’s perfect record and finishing ability, fans can expect a high-stakes battle that could reshape the division.

While the date for this future championship clash is yet to be officially announced, it’s likely to be one of the most anticipated events on the UFC calendar for late 2025 or early 2026. As Muhammad prepares for his first title defense against Della Maddalena, the MMA world will be watching closely, knowing that Rakhmonov is waiting in the wings for his shot at UFC gold.

For now, Muhammad’s focus remains on his upcoming fight at UFC 315, but his clear stance on Rakhmonov as the next challenger has set the stage for an exciting future in the welterweight division. As the champion continues to assert his dominance, the question remains, can Maddalena or Rakhmonov dethrone the champ?