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Colby Covington Says 'Racist' Belal Muhammad Won't Get UFC Title Shot Next

Colby Covington doesn't think Belal Muhammad vs. Gilbert Burns was a true title eliminator.

Fernando Quiles Jr.

(via Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

Former interim UFC Welterweight Champion Colby Covington has called Belal Muhammad a "racist" and insists he will not be getting a title opportunity in his next fight.

Muhammad was in a pivotal 170-pound clash against Gilbert Burns in the co-main event of UFC 288. After five rounds of action, Muhammad earned a fairly one-sided unanimous decision victory. While Burns hung in tough, especially after suffering a shoulder injury, he simply couldn't get his offense going.

READ MORE: Belal Muhammad Outlasts Gilbert Burns at UFC 288 in New Jersey

During an appearance on "Submission Radio," Covington dismissed the idea that Muhammad's victory over Burns was a title eliminator. 

“Do I have to re-explain myself? They were fighting for nothing last night. You think he’s just gonna sit out ‘til early 2024? ‘Cause now this title fight’s getting pushed back ‘til later at the end of the year, fall, winter. You think he’s just gonna be able to sit out? He has that type of star power to sit out and then call his shot? No, he’s gonna have to fight again, and rightfully so.”

Covington then accused Muhammad of making racist comments about him.

“When you make racist comments and you’re on the ESPN platform, man, like this is a big platform. There’s a lot of kids out there that are looking up to us. So, the fact that he would make a racist comment at such a divisive time, and we don’t need any more divide in this country. We need coming together and people working together and not judging someone off the color of their skin. No, I did not earn this ‘cause the color of my skin, I earned this ‘cause numbers, I earned this because of my accomplishments, beating world champion after world champion after Hall of Famer after Hall of Famer. So, I’m up here for a reason. It’s not ‘cause the color of my skin like Belal the racist says. Remember the racist.”

It didn't take long for Muhammad to respond to Covington's rant.

"Lawyers can’t help u with what i will do to u in that cage"

UFC President Dana White has told reporters that Covington is next in line for a crack at Leon Edwards' UFC Welterweight Championship. While Covington was hoping to fight for the title in July, Edwards put off the idea to recover from injuries. "Rocky" is targeting an October date in Abu Dhabi.

READ MORE: Paddy Pimblett Called Out by UFC 288 Winner Matt Frevola: "You Absolutely Suck"

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Fernando Quiles Jr.
FERNANDO QUILES JR.

Fernando has over a decade of combat sports news writing experience. He currently covers MMA, boxing, and pro wrestling. Fernando joined MMA Knockout as the Lead Writer/Editor when it was founded in 2023.

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