Former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad will look to get again into the title combine in opposition to a rising star.
Former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad is considered one of a number of contenders outdoors of the title combine as Islam Makhachev turns into a two-division champion and has a possible showdown with Ilya Topria. Muhammad, who gained the UFC welterweight championship by defeating Leon Edwards at UFC 304, has misplaced consecutive fights since successful the belt.
Muhammad’s title reign led to only one combat as he misplaced to Jacques de la Maddalena at UFC 315. In his return match, he was defeated by Ian Machado Garry at UFC Qatar in November.
Regardless of his latest struggles, Muhammad is not distant from incomes one other welterweight title shot. Muhammad’s bid for a second welterweight gold medal begins with a match in opposition to a rising star in the identical division.
Belal Muhammad fights at UFC Apex, trying to erase two-fight setback
As introduced by UFC CEO Dana White on Thursday, Muhammad will face Gabriel Bonfim (19-1-0) in the primary occasion of UFC Vegas 118 on June sixth at Apex. The combat might be Bonfim’s second straight principal occasion after knocking out Randy Brown in his most up-to-date bout in November.
Bonfim has gained 4 straight fights since struggling a stunning knockout loss to Nicolas Dalby in November 2023. Throughout his present fights, he has defeated the likes of Stephen Thompson, Chaos Williams, and Ange Roosa.
Muhammad will pose the hardest check of Bonfim’s younger UFC profession once they meet at UFC Vegas 118. Muhammad, one of many prime wrestlers within the division, will problem Bonfim’s explosive hanging and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
The bout might be Muhammad’s first combat on the apex since he outpointed Vicente Luque in April 2022. Earlier than his latest struggles, Muhammad was undefeated in 11 fights contained in the Octagon and might be trying to repeat that report beginning at UFC Vegas 118.
The total lineup for UFC Vegas 118 might be introduced within the coming weeks.
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