The UFC welterweight division is experiencing a surge of drama, rivalry, and high-stakes ambition as the year draws to a close. At the center of the storm is Kamaru Usman, the former champion whose name still carries immense weight, and Belal Muhammad, the determined contender who, despite recent setbacks, refuses to fade into the background. With a string of heated exchanges, a rumored physical altercation, and diverging career priorities, the tension between these two fighters is palpable—even if a direct showdown seems increasingly unlikely.
On October 24, 2025, Kamaru Usman made headlines when he bluntly dismissed the idea of fighting Belal Muhammad, stating in a Q&A session in Abu Dhabi, "We didn’t have a lot of back-and-forth. It was just a lot coming from him. I just think he’s a dork, and what you do with a dork is just ignore them." Usman’s words, delivered with his signature candor, set the tone for what has become one of the welterweight division’s most talked-about non-rivalries.
But how did it get to this point? The backstory is as tangled as any in recent MMA memory. Earlier in 2025, Usman and Muhammad found themselves together on the Pound 4 Pound podcast, a meeting arranged by their shared manager, Ali Abdelaziz. According to multiple reports, what started as a verbal sparring match quickly escalated. Muhammad later claimed to have slapped Usman during the exchange, and co-host Henry Cejudo, along with crew members, allegedly had to step in to separate the fighters. While no footage of the incident has surfaced, the animosity between the two is no secret.
Despite the drama, Usman has remained steadfast in his refusal to give Muhammad the fight he craves. His reasoning is simple: "I have nothing to gain from fighting Belal Muhammad. He has all to gain. That’s why he’s calling me out. He has all to gain from me," Usman explained during the Abu Dhabi Q&A. This sentiment has been echoed in several interviews over the past week, with Usman repeatedly emphasizing that his sights are set solely on reclaiming the welterweight title.
For Usman, it’s a matter of legacy. Between 2019 and 2022, "The Nigerian Nightmare" reigned supreme over the 170-pound division, racking up five successful title defenses and cementing his status as one of the most dominant champions in UFC history. After a three-fight slump that saw him lose his belt, Usman made a triumphant return at UFC Atlanta in June 2025, defeating Joaquin Buckley in a performance that reminded fans and critics alike of his championship pedigree.
"Right now, Belal Muhammad is ranked No. 1 in the division, and I’m below him. I’m looking at the title. I’ve been where he hasn’t been," Usman stated, drawing a clear line between his own storied reign and Muhammad’s brief stint at the top. Muhammad, for his part, captured the welterweight crown from Leon Edwards at UFC 304, only to lose it in his very next outing to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 in Montreal. That defeat ended an impressive 11-fight unbeaten streak and left Muhammad with little time to bask in the glory of being champion.
"Yes, of course, he’s been the champion, but what happened when it was time for you to defend?" Usman asked pointedly. "I have nothing to gain from fighting Belal Muhammad. He has all to gain. That’s why he’s calling me out. He has all to gain from me." Usman’s stance is clear: unless there’s a title on the line, he has no interest in revisiting old grudges or settling scores for the sake of spectacle.
That doesn’t mean Muhammad is backing down. The Chicago native has been vocal about his desire to fight Usman, even as he prepares for his next assignment: a high-stakes clash with the undefeated Ian Garry in the co-main event of UFC Qatar on November 22, 2025. This bout comes just a week after Jack Della Maddalena is scheduled to defend his title against Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC 322, a fight that has the MMA world buzzing with anticipation.
Intriguingly, Muhammad’s pursuit of Usman wasn’t always his only priority. He had also been pushing for a rematch with Kamaru Usman, a fight that would have been explosive given their shared history and recent altercation. However, Usman’s repeated refusals and focus on the title have shifted Muhammad’s attention—at least for now—to Garry, a rising star eager to stake his claim in the division.
The rivalry between Usman and Muhammad, though currently on ice, remains a tantalizing possibility for the future. Usman himself has left the door slightly ajar, noting, "If I have the title, and he’s the next guy, I would luckily kick his head in." It’s a statement that underscores both his competitive fire and his unwavering belief in his own abilities. For now, though, he’s not interested in what he sees as a step backward.
Usman’s focus on the championship is hardly surprising. After all, his dominance between 2019 and 2022 set a standard that few in the division have matched. Five successful title defenses, a string of memorable performances, and a reputation for shutting down elite contenders—all of this has shaped his legacy and fueled his hunger for another run at the top. "I’m not here to waste time. I want to get the title, and I want to continue on my track of defending and be that champion again. Why waste time with him?" Usman said, making his priorities crystal clear.
Meanwhile, Muhammad faces his own crossroads. After losing the title to Della Maddalena, he’s determined to claw his way back into contention. A win over Ian Garry would go a long way toward reestablishing his credentials, but the road ahead is anything but easy. The welterweight division is as stacked as ever, with contenders like Makhachev, Garry, and Della Maddalena all vying for supremacy.
As for Usman, his next move remains uncertain. With no fight currently booked, speculation abounds as to whether he’ll get a direct shot at the winner of the upcoming title bout or if he’ll have to dispatch another top contender first. What’s clear is that Usman isn’t interested in settling old scores unless it leads him back to gold.
The coming months promise plenty of action, intrigue, and perhaps a few surprises in the UFC welterweight division. Whether Usman and Muhammad ever cross paths inside the Octagon again is anyone’s guess. For now, fans can only watch as the story unfolds—and wonder what fireworks might erupt if these two rivals ever do meet with everything on the line.
