Belal Muhammad has to make its way back to title conflicts after loss on UFC 315.
The former Weltergeweight champion dropped his belt to Jack della Maddalena on Saturday evening.
Usually a fight would be so close, competitive and fun enough to earn Belal Muhammad an immediate rematch, but that will not happen as Islam Makhachev announced that he will step up to 170 pounds for a title shot.
So we have looked at a few potential opponents who can welcome 'the name' back to MMA after he is healed from the catastrophic injuries Dana White Detailed in a post-fight social media post.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Sean Brady
Sean Brady is the #1 ranked competition at Welterweight after recently defeating Leon Edwards.
The 32-year-old went a better one by becoming the first man who stopped 'Rocky' at UFC London.
It now seems the perfect time for Brady and Muhammad to rematch the octhoek.
In October 2020, Muhammad Tko'd Brady after unleashed his 'Canelo Hands' on UFC 280.
Since then a lot has happened, so why shouldn't you decline to decide who will see the winner of Della Maddalena vs Makhachev?
Ian Machado Garry
Last month Ian Machado Garry Carlos Prates over five rounds in the main event of UFC Kansas City.
The victory left him at number 6 on welterweight and chew on the bit for a title shot.
After UFC 315 Garry said he would be ready to face Della Maddalena if the Makhachev fight falls through it.
However, it is much more logical for him to combat Mohammed later this year in an eliminator of 170 pound title.
Kamaru Usman vs Joaquin Buckley winner
Former Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman will return to MMA on 14 June.
'The Nigerian Nightmare' will have his three-field slip break by beating the top candidate Joaquin Buckley in the UFC Atlanta Main Event, which will push a man in the Welterweight Title Mix.
With a queue that forms at the top of the division, it seems unlikely that winning will be enough to get Usman or Buckley a title shot in 2025.
Another victory over Muhammad would one of them make the unmistakable number one candidate.
In the meantime, Muhammad would have the opportunity to bounce back from UFC 315 in the best possible way.