“We’re going to be at AKA,” Belal Muhammad hints at Khabib Nurmagomedov’s U-turn on retirement ahead of much-anticipated PPV event

Belal Muhammad reveals Khabib may come back to the corner, for his fight at UFC 288. Khabib who frequents the American Kickboxing Academy in California, is expected to arrive in May. Muhammad is headed there too, to train with the Dagestani.

Khabib Nurmagomedov is completely leaving mixed martial arts after already having retired from competing. The former UFC lightweight champion posted on Instagram that he was quitting his job as a coach to spend more time with his family.

Belal Muhammad is facing Gilbert Burns in the co-main event at UFC 288. This was a short-notice arrangement and Dana White announced the card a couple of days ago. Gilbert Burns and Belal Muhammad are replacing lightweights Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush for the co-main event. Charles Oliveira’s injury postponed the fight to UFC 289 where they will fight the co-main event.

The Gilbert Burns vs. Belal Muhammad fight will be held on May 6 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The two agreed to the fight at the last minute, putting themselves in a position to soon become a title contender. Belal Muhammad enters this fight with a record of 22-3 and an eight-fight winning streak. Burns has a record of 22-5 and recently defeated UFC veteran Jorge Masvidal.

Related: “Be a professional,” Gilbert Burns blames Belal Muhammad for using ‘religion as an excuse’ for refusing fight at welterweight

Belal Muhammad wants a Welterweight title shot

Belal Muhammad wants the welterweight title shot against champion Leon Edwards. Edwards and Belal had crossed paths in the octagon before. The two fought at UFC Fight Night in 2021 and the fight ended up being declared no contest. Belal Muhammad has since then been on a winning streak and feels like he deserves the title shot. That fight is reported to be given to Colby Covington soon and Muhammad isn’t quite happy about it.

Covington had not competed in more than a year, while other players were stepping up and outperforming the competition. Others felt Covington was not worthy of the opportunity. Everyone was surprised when Colby Covington showed up as the backup fighter for Usman vs Edwards 3 at UFC 286. Belal Muhammad thinks Covington is not as big of a PPV star to deserve the opportunity. ” I think it’s just that Colby — don’t know -…I don’t think it has anything to do with him,” Muhammad said.

Anyway, Belal wishes to have his ‘Nate Diaz’ moment in his upcoming fight against Gilbert Burns at UFC 288. He feels “Durinho” has been taking away opportunities from him much like Nate Diaz accused Conor McGregor of back in their fight. Now, Belal Muhammad intends to make Gilbert Burns pay for it at UFC 288.

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