Henry Cejudo Offers Firsthand Account of Hidden Belal Muhammad and Kamaru Usman Podcast Brawl

What happened in the unseen Belal Muhammad vs. Kamaru Usman podcast fight? Co-host Henry Cejudo reveals fresh tidbits.

Henry Cejudo Offers Firsthand Account of Hidden Belal Muhammad and Kamaru Usman Podcast Brawl

Henry Cejudo offers eye-witness account of Belal Muhammad vs. Kamaru Usman fight (Source: X)

Kamaru Usman and Belal Muhammad have remained at odds for a while now. The welterweights had a skirmish during their podcast sit-down last year. The hidden podcast episode situation was something that Muhammad always brought up in interviews. Now, co-host Henry Cejudo, who mediated the matter, has said things got ugly and physical!

Belal Muhammad strung up a 10-fight streak over standouts like veterans Gilbert Burns, Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque, Demian Maia, and Sean Brady (his lone TKO win). He then got a crack to log in and snag undisputed gold at the July PPV main event of UFC 304. Leon Edwards, whom he snatched gold from, coupled with others, would often dumb down his rise to fame.

Hence, the first Palestinian champ was reveling in his villain skin and systematically breaking down opposition and shooting shots wherever, whenever. Things took a heightened turn when Umar Nurmagomedov touted Muhammad above Kamaru Usman in his own podcast. Shortly afterward, there were reports that Muhammad and Usman having a skirmish in the unreleased episode; Henry Cejduo told all in a recent ‘JAXXON’ Podcast appearance.

I was kind of like the mediator there. You know, ‘Hey, what’s up Belal, what do you think of Kamaru? Kamaru, what do you think of Belal?’ And then sh*t just started kinda escalating.

While “Bully Belal” was ready to make a maiden defense against legacy name Kamaru Usman, things took a turn when he was touted above him. Before that, Usman was a realistic PPV title scrap option given he went 5-0 in his first reign and was a P4P topper. Cejudo mentioned that it was one of those things that no one could have anticipated.

I’ll be honest with you man, probably Kamaru started it, but I could see why, you know what I’m saying? So then all of a sudden, I think Kamaru said it’s on sight and then Belal said, ‘Well it’s on sight, what’s up?’ Legit, there was a scuffle there dude. I was in the middle, I had a f**king sprained ankle. I was trying to help. The whole production crew, like everybody started coming in. 

Usman deemed him unworthy, and Muhammad cracked up a rivalry over the ‘full-time podcaster’. The mention of Edwards defeating Usman twice was also brought up, further enhancing the rivalry. Up until now, the heated rivalry is still on.

Before his UFC 315 PPV card, Muhammad got warnings from ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ of a nightmarish scenario if they ever ran in at each other. Henry Cejudo informed this is because things got a bit too out of control during their podcast episode; even some 7-8 in-house production people had to intervene.

‘Triple C’ also reported punches and smacks thrown at each other. Question arises: can this duo bank on it and throw hands inside the octagon?

Next step for Belal Muhammad should be a PPV fight campaign with Kamaru Usman upon return

Kamaru Usman is set to return against welterweight standout Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta on June 14th. The 38-year-old is returning to the fold after losing twice to Edwards and once in a short-notice action against Khamzat Chimaev.

Kamaru Usman a big rebound name Belal Muhammad could gun for
Kamaru Usman a big rebound name Belal Muhammad could gun for (Source: X)

Buckley is a 2024 season standout case who reeled off highlights after his shift to 170 pounds. With each opponent, he has had a better upgrading challenge; one that does not get better than the Nigerian making his long-awaited return.

Notwithstanding Kamaru Usman getting back into the win column or dripping down to 0-4 in his last few, he is who Belal Muhammad should go for next. It’s a matchup that both have hinted at since last year as well. With the 170-pound weight class getting a bit convoluted at top, and with Jack Della Maddalena winning, Muhammad is at a tricky spot.

He is the rightful recent title challenger and has substantial momentum. But he isn’t the biggest of PPV draws and delights to drive a card. Shavkat Rakhmonov is still awaiting his turn as the rightful 170-pound top contender. Ian Machado Garry, who went to close war with him, is getting to those standards as well. A few other names are willing to give it a crack.

Usman’s legacy at welterweight is still unmatched by the current crop of fighters. Hence, a PPV grudge match and a subsequent win over him pushes Muhammad a step forward than the others. The UFC 170-pound division is currently brimming with fresh and thrilling contenders. Hence, making it the ideal time for two men who have already reached the pinnacle to go head-to-head.

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