Official UFC rankings have been a long-time discussed issue amongst fighters, fans, and commentators alike. Time and time again many fans have brought up this fact and pointed to how absurd the entire thing looks. Now Gilbert Burns brings up the issue again with Belal Muhammad used as a reference point.
Burns is currently coming off a loss against two-division prodigy Khamzat ‘Borz’ Chimaev. In his career, the Brazilian has to beat the likes of Alex Oliveira, Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson, Kamaru ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ Usman, Tyron Woodley, Gunner Nelson, and Demian Maia.
So naturally, a high place in the ranking was to be expected but a higher place compared to Belal ‘Remember The Name’ Muhammad? That is highly unlikely, especially considering how well the Palestinians have been fighting lately.
Durinho still expressed his confusion saying, “How the heck Belal Muhammed beat Sean Brady – I have nothing to do with that – and he passes me in the rankings. I got it: OK, he’s got a couple of wins. But he never beat me. Why did he take my place?”
Belal was quick and clever with his response as he said, “Lol because u have one ranked win and I have 4 ….and u begged for the Masvidal fight for the last 7 months.”
Lol because u have one ranked win and I have 4 ….and u begged for the masvidal fight for the last 7 months
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) January 18, 2023
There is of course truth to the rising Welterweight’s statements. Belal has been fighting some of the toughest challenges in the whole division and beat them pretty convincingly. He beat big names on his way up including a surging undefeated fighter like Sean Brady.
In a similar fashion, Burns also took the Khamzat Chimaev fight but the big thing to note here is that Belal actually beat his opponent very convincingly whereas Burns put up a good fight but in the end still had to concede defeat. The Chicago-born also has taken out fighters like Stephen Thompson, and Demian Maia and avenged a loss against Vicente Luque.
What is your opinion on the rankings?
