Welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, who recently captured the 170-pound title at UFC 304 by defeating Leon Edwards via unanimous decision. Is making it clear that he won’t allow Conor McGregor to leapfrog into a title shot. Despite McGregor’s star power and history in the sport, Muhammad firmly believes the Irishman hasn’t earned the right to challenge for the welterweight crown.
Originally, McGregor was set to face Michael Chandler in the main event of UFC 303 on June 29. However, that bout was scrapped after McGregor was forced to withdraw due to injury. The fight, scheduled as a welterweight matchup, generated high anticipation due to McGregor’s previous ventures into the 170-pound division. Including his iconic bouts against Nate Diaz.
While McGregor’s popularity and pay-per-view draw could potentially fast-track him into title contention in either the welterweight or lightweight division upon his return, Muhammad is not keen on the idea. He openly criticized McGregor’s recent lifestyle choices. Going so far as to suggest that the former two-division champion is using recreational drugs.
“The dude doesn’t look good in life right now. He appears to be under the influence of cocaine. He looks like he’s on drugs,” Muhammad remarked during an interview with Submission Radio. “Even if he beats Michael Chandler, I wouldn’t let him skip-line because there are guys who have earned their place. There are fighters who have put in the work to get here.”
Muhammad acknowledged that while a fight against McGregor might hold appeal for legacy reasons, he doesn’t see it as a realistic or fair option. “For my legacy, sure, I’d like to slap Conor around, but there are too many obstacles to make that happen. It took him this long just to set up a fight with Chandler. So to think that Conor is going to fight for the welterweight belt and I’ve got to sit here and wait for two years? Nah, it’s not going to happen.”
Muhammad is adamant that the title shot should go to a deserving contender who has consistently proven themselves in the octagon. “I’ll give it to the fighters who are actually competing, who are putting in the work. Conor doesn’t deserve it.”
As Muhammad looks ahead to his first title defense, it’s clear that he is more focused on fighting those who have earned their place rather than granting a shortcut to one of the sport’s biggest names.
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