Belal Muhammad Wanted Usman for Chicago Homecoming at UFC 319
UFC 319 is shaping up to be one of the most electric events in recent memory, with the promotion finally returning to Chicago after six long years. The main spotlight is, of course, on the middleweight title clash between Dricus du Plessis and the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev. But in the buildup, there’s been another big storyline bubbling under the surface—one involving Chicago’s own former welterweight champion, Belal Muhammad.
Muhammad, who has always carried Chicago pride into the octagon, revealed that he had hoped to fight on this very card in front of his hometown fans. And not just against anyone—he had his eyes set on former welterweight king Kamaru Usman. After dropping his belt to Jack Della Maddalena earlier this year at UFC 315, Muhammad saw UFC 319 as the perfect opportunity for a comeback moment, a homecoming fight at the iconic United Center. He admitted that stepping into the cage in Chicago would have been “epic,” but said the matchup couldn’t be arranged because Usman wasn’t available.
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It wasn’t for lack of interest on Muhammad’s side. He openly expressed that a fight with Usman “makes the most sense,” not only because of where both men are in their careers but also because of the tension that’s been brewing between them. Usman recently snapped his three-fight losing streak with a dominant win over Joaquin Buckley, which put him back in the spotlight. For Muhammad, that was the perfect setup for a clash. He even joked about their shared manager, Ali Abdelaziz, suggesting that Usman might be getting a little extra protection from him.
Their rivalry isn’t just theoretical. The two have history outside the octagon. Things once got so heated between them that a physical altercation broke out on Usman’s “Pound 4 Podcast.” According to Muhammad, the exchange escalated quickly—he claims to have made Usman cry before punches were thrown, with Henry Cejudo stepping in to break it up. The footage was never released, but the story has only added to the intrigue. Fans have been left to wonder: if a studio scuffle turned chaotic, what would happen if the two finally settled it inside the UFC cage?
While Muhammad wasn’t able to make UFC 319 happen, his presence in the conversation reminds everyone just how much Chicago means to him—and how much he means to the Chicago fight community. As the city plays host to du Plessis and Chimaev in the headline bout, it’s hard not to imagine how electric the arena would have been if Muhammad had walked out for a homecoming fight. For now, he’s keeping the door open, making it clear that he still wants Usman next.
Whether that fight materializes in the near future remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Belal Muhammad is not done chasing big moments. And if that showdown with Usman ever gets signed, fans know it won’t just be another fight; it will be a collision years in the making.
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