Belal Muhammad believes Sean Strickland is undeserving of his place on the UFC 328 fight card.
Strickland is scheduled to contend for the UFC Middleweight Championship against Khamzat Chimaev on May 9th. This title shot was reportedly awarded to him after he secured a second-round TKO victory over Anthony Hernandez in the main event of UFC Houston in February.
Although Nassourdine Imavov was largely considered the rightful top contender, a fight between Chimaev and Strickland was widely perceived as more marketable, a sentiment ultimately shared by UFC officials.
Muhammad expressed his conviction in a YouTube video that Strickland’s verbal skills were instrumental in securing him another championship bout.
“It’s unfortunate for Imavov,” Muhammad stated. “One has to empathize with him. I believed he deserved the title shot and expected him to receive it. However, I think the prevalence of trash talk and absurdity in our current era allows someone like Strickland to talk his way into a title opportunity. This approach, especially with Chimaev involved, guarantees increased discussion and viewership, as they are sure to engage in verbal exchanges.”
Muhammad has a personal rivalry with Strickland, having engaged in numerous social media disputes. The former UFC Welterweight Champion anticipates Strickland will endure a dominant defeat.
“What I’m looking forward to is witnessing Chimaev overpower and dominate him,” Muhammad remarked. “I believe that’s precisely what will happen. I expect Chimaev to take him down, maintain control, and ideally, cause some cuts, let him bleed a bit, and then mentally break him, leading to a submission.”
Strickland previously held the UFC Middleweight title, losing it in his initial defense against Dricus du Plessis and failing to reclaim it in their subsequent bout. In contrast, Chimaev reportedly secured the UFC Middleweight Championship with a dominant grappling display against du Plessis in August 2025.