Belal Muhammad doubles down on 'perfect' title shot in Abu Dhabi after UFC 288 win

After coming through arguably the biggest test of his UFC career to date, Belal Muhammad has reiterated his desire to fight for the welterweight title in Abu Dhabi later this year - describing competing in the capital for gold as “perfect”.

The division’s No 4-ranked contender, 34, recorded a dominant, unanimous decision victory against Gilbert Burns on Sunday morning in the co-main event at UFC 288 in New Jersey.

In doing so, Muhammad, who like Burns accepted the bout on short notice, lifted his unbeaten streak to 10 (nine wins, one no contest).

The American has made no secret of his wish to take on current welterweight champion Leon Edwards for the belt in October, when the UFC returns to Abu Dhabi for UFC 294.

Muhammad, a practising Muslim whose parents are Palestinian, has fought twice before in the emirate, the most recent last October, when he outclassed the previously unbeaten Sean Brady at UFC 267.

UFC president Dana White has confirmed Muhammad is in line for a title shot, but only after Edwards defends against No 2-ranked contender Colby Covington. A date or venue for that bout has yet to confirmed, although Edwards said last month that he wanted the next defence of his crown to be in Abu Dhabi in October.

Asked by reporters post-bout on Sunday who and where he wanted to fight for the title, Muhammad said: “Perfect world, we’re fighting in October in Abu Dhabi. That would be amazing. You know there’ll ain’t going to be no booing out there. To fight out there in front of my people would be great.

“But wherever it goes … we can fight in enemy territory, friendly territory, no territory. Just give me a cage and some gloves and I’m ready to throw down.”

As to whether he preferred to face Edwards or Covington,