Former Welterweight Champion Returns to Action for a Highly Anticipated Co-Main Event Matchup
Former Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad returns to the Octagon for the first time since losing his title to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315. He is taking on rising star Ian Machado Garry in the co-main event of UFC Qatar. The Welterweight Division is stacked with fighters looking to secure a title opportunity after Islam Makhachev, so this fight could have huge implications on who Dana White decides to award the next shot. Can Muhammad get himself back in the title picture, or will Garry get his long-awaited statement victory over a former champion he has desperately been searching for?
Belal Muhammad was a fighter whom everyone overlooked all the way up to his title opportunity against Leon Edwards. He was a point fighter who liked position over submission and didn’t have the power in his hands to do real damage on the feet. However, when he finally got his title shot, he completely dominated Edwards in all facets of the fight and looked primed to be a long-lasting champion. I think someone must have been in his ear because he bit down on his mouthpiece and slugged it out with one of the cleanest strikers in the UFC in JDM and lost his title before he really even got started. He wanted to showcase his boxing, and he did, but he wasn’t on the same level as JDM. In this fight, he will fight a lot smarter and grapple earlier. He is bigger and stronger than Garry and can do some serious damage if he gets him up against the cage and takes him down to the mat. He can wear down Garry, who has shown to slow down later in fights.
Ian Machado Garry came into the UFC with a lot of ambition and desire. He was slowly climbing up the rankings, but took a major step up when he was asked to step in and fight Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310. He put on a good performance but was on the losing end of a decision loss. He came back against Carlos Prates and outclassed him for four rounds before having to overcome some adversity in round five. He has shown he has good takedown defense and has the ability and flexibility to keep the fight standing, where he is most confident. In terms of striking, he will need to use his range of kicks and jabs to keep Belal at arm's length and pick him apart from the outside and not let him get in close or have his back against the cage. If he can get off to a good start, he will be able to force Belal to get aggressive and potentially make a mistake. His best path to victory is staying patient and outpointing Belal on the feet.
Dana White announced two blockbuster fights for UFC Qatar. Both fights can change their respective divisions overnight. Belal Muhammad is trying to secure a chance to recapture his Welterweight Championship, and Ian Garry is trying to secure his first opportunity at becoming champion. Whichever way this fight goes, you're not going to want to miss it and all the other action Saturday, November 22nd. The main card start time is still to be determined.
