Belal Muhammad, former UFC welterweight champion, remains deeply offended by Sean Strickland’s recent controversial statements. Strickland, the current two-time UFC middleweight champion, made disparaging remarks about the Muslim community during the build-up to UFC 328, targeting fighters like Khamzat Chimaev and Nassourdine Imavov.
Following his title victory over Chimaev, Strickland apologized to his fans and Chimaev’s team, attributing his extreme trash talk to the need to generate hype for the fight. He admitted to going “too fu**ing hard” in his promotional efforts.
While Chimaev appears to have accepted Strickland’s apology, not all fighters share the same sentiment.
Belal Muhammad Promises Retribution Against Sean Strickland
Belal Muhammad does not accept Sean Strickland’s apologies or his attempt to portray himself as a good guy. Muhammad believes that certain topics, such as religion and family, are off-limits during fight promotions and carry significant weight. In a recent warning to Strickland, Muhammad stated:
“Even though the clown apologized, ‘I apologized to my Muslim fans, I was just promoting a fight.’ No, it’s not promoting a fight when you’re talking about religion. When you talk about religion, talk about family, that hits different. I hope to one day step in the cage with that clown before it’s all said and done and just make him bleed.”
Nassourdine Imavov Echoes Belal Muhammad’s Sentiments Towards Sean Strickland
Nassourdine Imavov, who is widely expected to be Strickland’s next opponent, also expressed his strong disapproval. Immediately after Strickland’s UFC 328 win, Imavov tweeted a threat to “knock out ‘Tarzan’.”
“I’m gonna put your lights out @SStricklandMMA.”
Imavov shares Belal Muhammad’s view on Strickland’s behavior. In a subsequent post, Imavov emphasized the personal nature of insults concerning religion, family, and nation, stating:
“They say I take things too personally. Damn right. Religion, family, nation… these aren’t marketing to me. Every insult comes with a price. You’ll pay for it! NO HAPPY ENDING @SStricklandMMA.”
English Translation and Rephrased Text
Belal Muhammad, a former UFC welterweight champion, has expressed his unwavering disapproval of Sean Strickland’s recent controversial remarks. Strickland, the reigning two-time UFC middleweight champion, crossed a line with his comments directed at the Muslim community during the lead-up to UFC 328, also making offensive remarks about fighters like Khamzat Chimaev and Nassourdine Imavov.
After clinching the title this past weekend by defeating Chimaev, Strickland issued an apology to his fans and Chimaev’s team, claiming the trash talk was purely for promotional purposes and that he had gone “too fu**ing hard” in hyping the bout.
While Chimaev seems to have moved past the incident, other fighters hold a different view.
Belal Muhammad Vows to Make Sean Strickland Pay
Belal Muhammad is unconvinced by Sean Strickland’s apologies or his attempt to play the peacemaker. Muhammad believes that certain subjects, particularly religion and family, should never be used for fight promotion. Warning Strickland, Muhammad, known as “Remember The Name,” stated:
“Even though the clown apologized, saying, ‘I apologized to my Muslim fans, I was just promoting a fight.’ No, that’s not promoting a fight when you’re bringing religion into it. When you discuss religion or family, it carries a different weight. I hope to have the chance to step into the cage with that clown before all is said and done and make him bleed.”
Nassourdine Imavov Shares Belal Muhammad’s Strong Feelings Towards Sean Strickland
Following Sean Strickland’s victory at UFC 328, Nassourdine Imavov, a likely future challenger for Strickland’s title, took to X (formerly Twitter) to vow he would knock out “Tarzan.”
“I’m going to put your lights out, @SStricklandMMA.”
Imavov’s sentiments mirror those of Belal Muhammad regarding Sean Strickland. In a subsequent post on X, “The Sniper” elaborated:
“They claim I take things too personally. And I do. Religion, family, nation—these are not marketing tools for me. Every insult carries a price, and you will pay for it! There will be NO HAPPY ENDING, @SStricklandMMA.”