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Now that Colby Covington has lastly been expelled from the welterweight division title image following his one-sided defeat to Leon Edwards at UFC 296, the query on the lips of followers internationally has been, “who’s subsequent for the 170 lbs champ?”. There are just a few names which might be being floated round as doable candidates, this text will run via every doable contender and analyse their case for a match-up in opposition to the present champ.
Who’re the Candidates?
Belal Muhammad
Presently sitting at quantity two within the division’s rankings, Belal Muhammad has been slowly constructing his credibility to the purpose the place it is vitally tough to dismiss his declare as the precise subsequent contender for the belt. Within the UFC for nearly eight years now, Muhammad is unbeaten for 5 years and through this era he has managed to place collectively a ten combat undefeated streak. A extremely spectacular feat in a division that’s as stacked as 170 lbs.
He has not shied away from taking over large names both and has managed to select up victories over fighters comparable to Vicente Luque, Stephen Thompson, Sean Brady and maybe most notably Gilbert Burns, a combat he took on quick discover. In reality, the one blemish on Muhammad’s complete ten combat undefeated streak is a bout in opposition to Leon Edwards again in 2021 the place after a watch poke early within the second around the combat could be dominated a no contest.
This offers Muhammad additional weight to his declare as he and Edwards have a historical past and a rating to be settled. When it comes to longevity within the division and names on the CV, there isn’t any at the moment lively welterweight that would seem to have a stronger case than Belal Muhammad.
Shavkat Rakhmonov
Presently sitting at quantity three within the welterweight ranks, Rakhmonov might be thought-about a extra thrilling choice than Belal Muhammad. The Kazakh fighter has seemed unstoppable since becoming a member of the organisation again in 2020. His total report is extraordinarily spectacular, after his submission win over Stephen Thompson at UFC 296 he stands at 18-0 with 18 finishes. Stats like this are virtually exceptional in MMA and with him displaying he’s able to combat of the night time contenders seen together with his bout in opposition to Geoff Neal, Rakhmonov has shortly turn out to be a fan favorite throughout his quick tenure with the promotion.
Now having dispatched Neil Magny, Geoff Neal and Stephen Thompson any query marks that had been had over the power of Rakhmonov are absolutely dispelled and he has proven that he’s greater than worthy of being part of that title dialog.
Islam Makhachev
The present light-weight champion, Islam Makhachev and Leon Edwards have constantly been buying and selling barbs at each other for nearly your entire period of one another’s title reigns. They’ve made it abundantly clear that they want to combat and Makhachev let it’s identified as soon as once more, criticising Edward’s efficiency following his defence final Saturday in opposition to Covington.
Makhachev is definitely large enough to combat up a weight class and no person would doubt his ability. But, he has solely had two title defences at 155 lbs, and both of these were against Alexander Volkanovski who himself was the featherweight champion. With Makhachev at the moment but to truly face a high 5 ranked Light-weight in a title defence it’s unlikely that he could be granted permission by the UFC to maneuver up a weight class and problem Edwards. Regardless of the 2 champions making it clear that they might need this to occur.
The Case for Every Man
Belal Muhammad
When wanting on the three doable candidates for the subsequent title shot, it turns into clear that there’s just one reply the UFC may give to be ‘honest’. That in fact is Belal Muhammad. Merely put his steady profitable run alongside his longevity inside that high 5 means that he’s due a title shot and now lastly with Usman, Covington and Masvidal being eradicated from the highest of the division the time is correct for Muhammad to obtain his shot.
Regardless of not being tremendous fashionable with followers attributable to his wrestling-heavy combating model and a few not warming to his persona, wins over 4 fighters at the moment within the high 10 in his final 4 fights would recommend that Muhammad has definitely made his case to combat for the strap.
Shavkat Rakhmonov
Shavkat Rakhmonov is a fighter that definitely could be thought-about subsequent in line for the belt if it weren’t for Muhammad’s prolonged profitable streak and count on it to be him who’s granted a title shot after Muhammad. If Rakhmonov determined to have another combat maybe throughout the first half of 2024 and was victorious then it could be virtually assured for him to have a shot by the tip of subsequent yr. His report, willingness to combat and his entertaining combating model have already made him extraordinarily fashionable with the followers and he will surely have earned a title shot if granted one.
Islam Makhachev
Lastly, Makhachev is the least prone to get a shot on the welterweight crown and can be the least deserving. But to defend the Light-weight belt in opposition to an precise Light-weight regardless of holding the title for over a yr, Makhachev may merely not afford to go up a weight class for concern of completely holding up the 155 lbs division. Michael Bisping stated it greatest on a latest episode of his podcast when discussing a doable combat between Makhachev and Edwards saying “Hear, they don’t seem to be going to combat each other, easy as that. The Light-weight division is essentially the most stacked, okay? And Leon Edwards has different folks to defend in opposition to as effectively”. Who is aware of perhaps if each are champions in two to a few years time and have made a number of defences of their belts then perhaps we are going to get to see it however don’t rely on it taking place anytime quickly.
Conclusion: The following contender for the belt = Belal Muhammad
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