Belal Muhammad is aware of a factor or two about how eye pokes can dramatically alter the course of any struggle.
After his first encounter towards Leon Edwards resulted in a no-contest following a brutal eye poke, the previous UFC welterweight champion suffered de ja vu in his most up-to-date struggle with Ian Machado Garry. The motion was paused a few instances after Muhammad complained about eye pokes, however the referee didn’t administer any punishment akin to deducting some extent for Garry committing the foul.
In the end, Muhammad misplaced a unanimous choice however he believes Garry truly used the attention pokes strategically to realize a bonus.
“What did we see within the struggle? Clearly, we didn’t see a lot,” Muhammad mentioned on his YouTube channel. “Received poked within the eye thrice. What are you going to do, proper? I mentioned Ian was very sensible at determining methods to win fights and understands the way to win.
“He understood poking an eye fixed was going to win the struggle, particularly if you do it early. Particularly if you don’t get factors taken away from you. The foundations should be modified. There must be repercussions. In any other case, guys are going to maintain doing it. What’s the purpose?”
In fact, Muhammad isn’t alone in terms of fighters voicing their frustration over eye pokes taking place however not often ensuing within the referee shelling out any punishment. Even UFC CEO Dana White not too long ago acknowledged that “more durable penalties” had been in all probability the one actual resolution to really deter fighters from placing their fingers able the place an eye fixed poke may occur.
Whereas he clearly believes the attention pokes performed an element in his downfall, Muhammad nonetheless gave Garry credit score for his efficiency. Ideally, Muhammad needs he had extra time to work, however he takes the blame for that affecting the end result within the struggle.
“Ian was fairly sensible,” Muhammad mentioned. “He’s excellent along with his distance administration. We knew he was going to be sticking and shifting. Clearly, we pushed for 5 rounds. A 3-round struggle, you’ve obtained to begin quicker. You’ve obtained to begin earlier. You’ve obtained to catch them earlier. For me, we’ve obtained to alter that. We’ve obtained to step on the fuel sooner.
“By the third spherical, we discovered the gap, we discovered the fashion however it was already too late. You’ve obtained to try this sooner. Additionally for myself, we’ve simply obtained to get higher.”
The struggle served as a second straight loss for Muhammad after the dropped a unanimous choice to Jack Della Maddalena again in Might in his first title protection as UFC champion.
Muhammad has by no means misplaced two in a row beforehand in his profession, however he vowed to return again higher from this expertise and show he’s a greater fighter in his subsequent journey to the octagon.
“Clearly the struggle didn’t go the best way we wished it to go,” Muhammad mentioned. “All we are able to do is get higher and develop from it.
“I nonetheless suppose we’re among the best on the earth. I can’t wait to show it. Actually nothing else to speak about. The actions imply greater than phrases.”
