Khabib Nurmagomedov had some eye-opening recommendation for Belal Muhammad following the Chicago native’s welterweight title win final 12 months.
After successful 9 straight contained in the Octagon, ‘Keep in mind The Title’ secured the largest win of his profession at UFC 304, scoring a unanimous determination victory over Leon Edwards in Manchester to seize the welterweight championship.
Returning to the ‘Second Metropolis’ shortly after, Muhammad obtained a hero’s welcome, however his time to rejoice was minimize brief after ‘The Eagle’ broke down what it means to not simply change into a UFC champion however to stay a UFC champion.
“Khabib advised me, like, the very first thing he advised me after the battle was, ‘Now you bought to coach twice as exhausting as a result of now the bullseye is in your again. All people’s solely you, they usually’re looking for your weaknesses. So you need to hold working and hold evolving,’” Muhammad advised Barstool Chicago.
“There are lots of champions who will win the belt, after which, abruptly, they’re getting much more cash. They’re getting much more, celebration invitations. So, guys will fall off.”
May Belal Muhammad’s first UFC title protection go down in Chi-City?
Muhammad was initially set to defend his title for the primary time at UFC 310 in opposition to Shavkat Rakhmonov. Sadly, he was compelled to bow out of the bout resulting from an an infection in his foot.
Since then, no particulars have been introduced relating to once we will see Muhammad again contained in the Octagon, however the UFC’s rumored return to Chicago later this 12 months may provide followers an in depth as to when.
“I’m seeking to go all over the place on this planet,” White advised Sports activities Enterprise Journal late final 12 months. “We’re going to begin going into cities that we haven’t been to [since] pre-pandemic. We’re going to begin going again. We’re going to do Chicago in ‘25. We’re going to return as much as Seattle and hit lots of different locations that we haven’t been shortly, so we’re going to maneuver round quite a bit in ’25.”
If the promotion plans on making its solution to The Windy Metropolis within the first half of 2025, there’s a very good probability we may see Muhammad postpone his return a little bit longer in order that he can defend his title in entrance of a hometown crowd.
