Belal Muhammad is not competing at UFC 310.
The UFC welterweight champion was scheduled to defend his title for the first time against Shavkat Rakhmonov on December 7.
But due to his injury, UFC 310 is now headlined by Alexandre Pantoja, who puts his flyweight belt on the line against debutant Kai Asakura.
‘Remember The Name’ claimed the 170lb strap by defeating Birmingham’s Leon Edwards after five rounds at UFC 304 Manchester in July.
Muhammad debuted with Dana White’s promotion eight years ago, following a stint with Titan Fighting, and has lost just three of his 19 UFC bouts.
The 36-year-old took to Instagram in October to reveal the nasty foot infection that led to his withdrawal from the Las Vegas card.
“Caught a bone infection in my foot,” Muhammad said. “Had to put a PICC line in my arm for IV antibiotics the next six weeks with no physical activity.”
“Allah’s plan is the best plan. I’m sorry to everyone that were coming to see me. I’ll be back soon inshAllah.”
Rakhmonov reacted to Muhammad’s injury via X at the time.
He said: “Wishing Belal a quick recovery. We’ll meet when you’re back at 100%. For now, I’m ready to take on any contender for the interim title at UFC 310.”
Conor McGregor also responded to the injury on the same platform by laughing at the current welterweight champion.
No.7 ranked welterweight Ian Garry reacted to the news too with a previous clip of him saying he would “love to get his hands on Rakhmonov.”
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And his wishes have been granted, as he now takes on Rakhmonov in UFC 310’s co-main event to determine the next in line for a welterweight title shot.
Muhammad’s injury originally caused a real problem for UFC matchmakers, but Garry was able to step in on short notice.
The Irishman was scheduled to fight Joaquin Buckley at a UFC Fight Night card on December 14, but the latter now faces former title contender Colby Covington.
Rakhmonov made his UFC debut in October 2020 and is unbeaten in all 18 of his professional MMA bouts, with a 100% UFC finish record.
‘Nomad’ has submitted all but one of his opponents via a rear naked or guillotine choke.
In his last octagon appearance, Rakhmonov made easy work of Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson by handing the American his first-ever submission defeat during his stellar 12-year UFC career.
Gary, however, boasts a similar record as a former Cage Warriors champion, and has also gone unbeaten in all 15 of his pro bouts.
He followed in the footsteps of McGregor when he was crowned Cage Warriors’ welterweight champion in 2021 and wants to replicate another one of The Notorious’ feats.
“I’m a young kid who dreamt of being here, who wanted to see my face on billboards, who wanted to put on shows against the scariest people in the world,” Garry told Ariel Helwani.
“I’ve said to you before, how my ideal scenario is: I fight and beat Shavkat, I win the world title, I go up to middleweight, I fight Khamzat [Chimaez] I win that belt too!
“I’m not afraid of any man. I know how talented I am. I know the gifts God gave me.”
The winner of Rakhmonov vs Garry is destined to challenge Muhammad for a welterweight title bout next, depending on how long the champion is out for.
They could, however, fight for interim status after UFC 310 against the likes of Edwards and Kamaru Usman, who are at the top of UFC’s welterweight rankings.
Edward revealed last month that he would be headlining the recently announced UFC London card, which is taking place on March 22, 2025.
He has ambitions to become a two-time UFC champion by the end of 2025, and is very likely to meet either Rakhmonov or Garry en route to that feat.
