Belal Muhammad (image via UFC/YouTube)

By Kelsey Mowatt

Daniel Cormier won’t argue Belal Muhammad doesn’t deserve a shot at the UFC’s welterweight crown. But, the decorated fighter believes Muhammad needs to record another high-profile victory, as a means to entrench a title fight appearance.

Muhammad (22-3) has climbed into the #4 spot of the UFC’s welterweight ranks, thanks to a nine-fight, undefeated streak. Due to his run, which includes notable wins over the likes of Demian Maia, Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque and Sean Brady, there have been calls for Muhammad to receive a title shot.

But, following UFC 286 on Saturday, which saw Leon Edwards defend the welterweight title against Kamaru Usman, UFC President Dana White reported Colby Covington is next for Edwards.

Since then, Cormier weighed in on the situation via his YouTube channel, and proposed Muhammad fight the former champ, Usman (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“I think him (Usman) vs. Belal might be the one, because Belal needs that, like, high-profile win to make people take him seriously.”

After UFC 286, however, White also revealed that the promotion is trying to book a bout between Muhammad and rising contender, Shavkat Rakhmonov.

“Belal is easily the most deserving guy,” Cormier said. “There’s no one that deserves it more than Belal Muhammad, but he keeps getting lost in the whole shuffle because it’s just not as interesting…”

“…I believe that Belal is the most deserving guy, but he’s fighting Shavkat. That’s such a tough fight. It’s such a tough fight.”

As it stands right now, Rakhmonov (17-0) is currently ranked #6 in the UFC’s welterweight rankings.