Belal Muhammad keen to derail the Khamzat Chimaev 'hype train' ahead of UFC title shot

Top five in his division having come off the most impressive win of his career, Belal Muhammad has UFC gold in his sights.

Yet, for the moment, it’s not welterweight champion Kamaru Usman that occupies his mind. Instead, the in-form American is focused on halting the hottest prospect in the sport.

“For me, honestly, you have to look down the rankings at Khamzat [Chimaev], who everybody thinks is going to be the champion; everybody thinks he’s going to be Kamaru’s toughest test,” Muhammad tells The National from his base in Chicago, a month removed from his hugely dominant decision victory against Stephen Thompson in Las Vegas.

“And even if I do fight any of those guys above me, I don’t want it being, ‘Oh well, Khamzat should get the title shot next because he has all this hype.

“Let me go straight to Khamzat if that’s the guy they all think should be fighting Kamaru in 2022. Let me go derail the hype train and get the title shot next. Because I’m one win away from the title shot."

Taking down Chimaev, even though he sits currently as the No 11-ranked challenger at welterweight, would almost certainly cement a bout for the belt. The Chechen-born star has taken the UFC by storm since debuting in Abu Dhabi in 2020, racking up three blink-of-the-eye wins before marking his recovery from Covid-19 in October by blitzing through Li Jingliang at UFC 267 at Etihad Arena.

Before choking out Li, himself ranked 11th at the time, Chimaev carried his Chinese opponent across the octagon to the side where UFC president Dana White was watching on from. Chimaev soon submitted Li, hoisting his pro record to 10-0. In four UFC appearances, he has landed 254 blows, receiving only two. When it comes to significant strikes, he is 112 for 1.

Muh