Belal Muhammad tempted by Abu Dhabi showdown with Chimaev - but first to avenge Luque loss

More than an interested observer of Sunday’s Fight of the Year contender between Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns, Belal Muhammad recognises what he needs to do to secure that UFC welterweight title shot next.

Basically, an even greater display this weekend against Vicente Luque in the main event at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas.

“It depends on my type of performance,” Muhammad tells The National from Vegas. “I have got to go out there and outperform the guys last week. I have got to make them want to give me the title fight.

“This is going to be my fourth top-10 ranked opponent in a year. This is going to be my third top-five opponent in a year. None of the other guys are doing that. I am the only one stepping up and fighting the best of the best in the division, and I am here to show I belong at the top of the division. So have to keep going out there and proving myself.”

Muhammad, who slipped a spot in the rankings because of the undefeated Chimaev’s ascent into the top five this week, has been riding a hugely impressive win streak of his own: he is unbeaten in his past seven fights, with six victories and one no contest. His professional MMA record stands at 20-3.

Currently the welterweight division's No 6-ranked challenger, on Sunday morning UAE time, Muhammad takes on the man directly above him in the standings. It represents a rematch of their 2016 encounter, when Muhammad lost to Luque (21-7-1) via first-round knockout in New York.

Clearly, with only one defeat in 12 UFC appearances since, and that more than three years ago, the Chicago-born competitor is much improved since then. Add in the extra motivation of avenging the Luque loss, and it makes Muhammad a dangerous proposition.

“I am a very bad loser,” he