Cormier Wanted Fireworks From Muhammad
Daniel Cormier questioned the promotional impact of Belal Muhammad and Shavkat Rakhmonov’s faceoff after UFC 310 on December 7, 2024. The respectful meeting followed Rakhmonov’s unanimous-decision victory over Ian Machado Garry at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
A replacement opponent led to an unexpected meeting
Muhammad had originally been scheduled to defend the welterweight championship against Rakhmonov. A bone infection in his toe forced the champion to withdraw, leaving Garry to face the unbeaten contender.
Rakhmonov won the replacement contest on all three judges’ cards, each returning 48–47. He then invited Muhammad into the Octagon, where the two acknowledged each other without an angry confrontation.
Cormier questioned the promotional payoff
Speaking on his YouTube channel afterward, Cormier said the exchange lacked the memorable interaction that a promotion hopes to create when bringing a champion into the cage. He also thought the need for a translator complicated the moment.
Cormier described Muhammad as respectful and contrasted the encounter with more eventful faceoffs involving other champions. Security had initially delayed Muhammad’s entry, prompting a joke from Joe Rogan before the meeting went ahead.
The championship took a different direction
Muhammad’s next title defense ultimately came against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 on May 10, 2025. The Australian won a unanimous decision at Bell Centre in Montreal.
Scores of 48–47, 48–47 and 49–46 gave Della Maddalena the welterweight championship, changing the title picture that had framed the December faceoff.
Sources
- MMA Junkie: Cormier’s reaction, translator and Muhammad’s withdrawal
- UFC: December 7 venue and Rakhmonov–Garry scorecards
- UFC: Muhammad’s subsequent championship defeat
