Belal Muhammad has now openly spoken about his recent defeat and plans for the future.
At UFC 315, Muhammad was defeated by Jack della Maddalena in his first defense of the Welterweight title.
A very impressive version of the Underdog -seconder also led to criticism of Mohammed's approach in the aftermath of the long -awaited return from the Octagon to Montreal.
Now that for some time has passed, the former champion both thought on 10 May and looked ahead to the rest of the year.
Mohammed admitted where he went wrong, but he does not believe that he fell too far on the pecking order at 170 pounds.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Belal Muhammad says that Kamaru Usman is his most likely opponent when he beats Joaquin Buckley
Belal Muhammad spoke extensively about his defeat and what the next step is during the latest episode of his podcast 'Remember the Show' next to Jason and Jon Anik.
He was frustrated by his own performance at UFC 315, but that only gave him the motivation to bounce stronger with the 36-year confidence that a return to the win column will immediately bring him back to the mix.
“Keep doing what they think I can't do. I will be the man who gets the belt again. I will be the man who … I am a fight away from winning the belt. I am a fight away from there, man.”
Photo by Rey del Rio/Getty images
There are currently various viable contenders in the Welterweight Division and with Mohammed as a former champion, it is easy to see him match with one of them.
He believes that if Kamaru Usman comes out the victory in his return to the Octagon on 14 June, where he is facing Joaquin Buckley, this is the direction that the UFC will take because of his current feud with 'The Nigerian nightmare'.
“If I think of who it could be, of course, jumps off the table when Kamaru wins, I feel that it will be Kamaru if he beats Buckley, passes Buckley. You get Ian [Machado] Garry, you have [Sean] Brady, and then as Buckley wins. '
When he talked about his desired time frame for a return, Mohammed said that it is 'heartbreaking' that he is unable to compete for his hometown fans at UFC 319 in Chicago.
Although Augustus is out of the conversation, he said that December is too far away, with October a happy midfield is as long as it does not mean that it makes the long journey to Abu Dhabi, who often visit the UFC this month.
“I want to go tomorrow like: 'Yes! Let's get this brother, let's go again. Yes, let's go tomorrow,” and it's good, let's make those adjustments. Let's get healthy and do this … For me would be the dream -last October
Belal Muhammad is perhaps more than one victory removed from getting a different title shot
Although a controversial resentment competition with Kamaru Usman would apparently help his business, Belal Muhammad might have a longer path back to the title than he expected.
With Jack della Maddalena to defend his title against Islam Makhachev, who has left his lightweight title to go up, there are several other names on 170 pounds that all insist on their shot.
Namerankcurrent UFC Winning Streaksean Brady#23 In a Rowshavkat Rakhmonov#37 in a Rowian Machado Garry#61 Back Back Win (Carlos Prates) Joaquin Buckley#76 in A Rowmichael Morales#86 in a row
To push Muhammad back to the front of the queue, chances are that he will have to string some victories together, even if the main event of UFC 315 was very entertaining.