Muhammad says time with MMA’s Jordan, LeBron has him prepared

Forward of his first title struggle, Belal Muhammad figures he’s been doing simply fantastic for himself when he will get to place in time with some GOATs.

Muhammad (23-3 MMA, 14-3 UFC) in July lastly will get the struggle he’s been hoping for – a rematch with Leon Edwards (21-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC) for the welterweight title at UFC 304, which takes place July 27 in Machester in Edwards’ house nation of England.

Muhammad will get his shot at a UFC title because of a 10-fight unbeaten streak that features wins over Gilbert Burns Vicente Luque and Stephen Thompson. The one hiccup previously greater than 5 years is a no contest in March 2021 in opposition to Edwards at UFC Combat Evening 187. That struggle was stopped within the second spherical when Edwards landed an unintended eye poke and Muhammad was unable to proceed.

Main into the rematch, Muhammad stated he’s had the chance to coach with former UFC light-weight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and at present light-weight champ Islam Makhachev – and he gave them reward on the highest ranges from a distinct sport.

“Any time they’re round, I attempt to get as a lot time with them as potential,” Muhammad instructed MMA Junkie. “I at all times say in the future coaching with Khabib is price 100 days coaching with anyone else. The data, simply the vitality you get from them guys, it’s priceless. It’s at all times good to get a really feel from them, get that point.

“… Any time you simply get to hang around with these guys – I’m coaching with the Michael Jordan of the game in Khabib, and Islam is principally just like the LeBron James of the game. So it’s at all times good to get these feels with these guys.”

Edwards gained the welterweight title with a shocking head kick KO of Kamaru Usman in August 2022. He took a majority resolution from him seven months later at UFC 286. This previous December, Edwards outpointed Colby Covington for one more profitable title protection.

Muhammad has 5 straight wins since his no contest with Edwards. In all however one in all them – a win over Demian Maia – he was a betting underdog. But he retains getting his hand raised – in opposition to Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque, Sean Brady (his first loss) and Gilbert Burns.

Now an extension of his profitable streak will include a historic piece of {hardware}. If that occurs, he thinks working with Makhachev simply earlier than he’s placing his light-weight belt on the road subsequent week in opposition to Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 was essential timing.

“It was cool to only be in that very same mindset as Islam, who’s preventing subsequent week,” Muhammad stated. “Any time you might be in a champ camp to really feel that aura, it’s a good time – particularly for myself, with this being my first title struggle.

“Speaking to them, seeing what their feels are, asking Islam about his struggle in Australia (in opposition to Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284) and the way he coped with the time change and what he did over there, what he ate for breakfast and stuff – it’s at all times good.”

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 304.