Belal Muhammad's time as the top welterweight is becoming an increasingly distant memory after he suffered another loss in the UFC Fight Night 278 main event.
Muhammad (24-6 MMA, 15-6 UFC) had no answers for Gabriel Bonfim (20-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) on Saturday at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas. He lost all five rounds on each of the three judges' scorecards, marking his third consecutive defeat since being dethroned of UFC gold by Jack Della Maddalena in May 2025.
Muhammad struggled to find ways to be effective in his previous setbacks to Della Maddalena and Ian Machado Garry, but those losses are to a more proven caliber of fighter than Bonfim, respectfully.
Maybe Bonfim goes on to be that guy in the division. Unfortunately, that does nothing of benefit to Muhammad now. He turns 38 next month, and this is obviously a proven danger zone for a fighter.
It's not to say Muhammad can't still get some significant wins in this division. His rival and fellow former champion Kamaru Usman was ironically in a nearly identical situation of three straight losses, and he managed to get back on track with a main event win over Joaquin Buckley.
Muhammad (24-6 MMA, 15-6 UFC) had no answers for Gabriel Bonfim (20-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) on Saturday at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas. He lost all five rounds on each of the three judges' scorecards, marking his third consecutive defeat since being dethroned of UFC gold by Jack Della Maddalena in May 2025.
Muhammad struggled to find ways to be effective in his previous setbacks to Della Maddalena and Ian Machado Garry, but those losses are to a more proven caliber of fighter than Bonfim, respectfully.
Maybe Bonfim goes on to be that guy in the division. Unfortunately, that does nothing of benefit to Muhammad now. He turns 38 next month, and this is obviously a proven danger zone for a fighter.
It's not to say Muhammad can't still get some significant wins in this division. His rival and fellow former champion Kamaru Usman was ironically in a nearly identical situation of three straight losses, and he managed to get back on track with a main event win over Joaquin Buckley.
8 days ago
