UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad keeps an eye on the main event of UFC Kansas City.
The title photo of the UFC Welterweight Division is stacked. Between Ian Machado Garry, Carlos Prates, Shavkat Rakhmonov and Sean Brady there are many budding challengers ready for a crack on the leash of Welterweight.
Belal Muhammad will defend the next weekend against Jack della Maddalena in the UFC 315 Main Event. Weeks before, Garry and Prates will end up in a crucial welterweight matchup this Saturday in a crucial welterweight -matchup in UFC Kansas City.
While Muhammad makes his final preparations for UFC 315, he keeps a close eye on what is happening in UFC Kansas City.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty images
Belal Muhammad makes his choice for Ian Machado Garry vs. Carlos Prates
Muhammad will make his first UFC Welterweight title defense after winning the belt about Leon Edwards on UFC 304 last July. A victory over Maddalena would possibly be Mohammed against his teammate, Islam Makhachev, who is considering a switch to Welterweight for his next fight.
Garry and Prates both believe that they will earn a title shot this weekend with a victory in Kansas City. But Brady, Rakhmonov and other good weights are also in the mix, making the debate around the Welterweight Hierarchy a lively hierarchy.
Muhammad believes that prates and/or garry can be potential future opponents, but he believes that one party has the benefit in the Octagon.
In a recent tweet, Muhammad predicted the headliner of UFC Kansas City.
“I think Ian Garry will manage this weekend,” Muhammad posted.
Garry was furious when Maddalena received the title about him and other contenders for UFC 315. This, despite the loss of Garry against Rakhmonov on UFC 310, compared to Maddalena's undefeated climb on the ladder of the Welterweight.
But Garry could make a statement this weekend with an emphatic victory over Prates. With Rakhmonov on the sidelines with an injury, and Brady's return timeline uncertain, Garry could possibly skip the line after UFC Kansas City.
Bad blood brews between Ian Machado Garry and Carlos Prates prior to Fight Night
In the meantime, the tensions between Garry and Prates have been raised in recent days for UFC Kansas City. The two good weights have exchanged priks in recent days, with Garry Prates calling a lender and calls himself 'more a Brazilian' than his opponent.
Prates's mother begged him to make a fast night in the office this weekend, which expected a quick finish from her son. Prates also mock Garry after completing a mutual opponent who could not do the Irish star.
Garry and Prates both want to make explanations this weekend in UFC Kansas City. A victory will not only bring them a step closer to a title shot, but also earn the attention of Mohammed.