Belal Muhammad clarifies Demetrious Johnson criticism, makes UFC 306 fight pick challenge

Belal Muhammad | Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images

Belal Muhammad wants Demetrious Johnson to put his money where his mouth is.

The reigning UFC welterweight champion and Johnson, the GOAT of the flyweight division, recently butted heads over Muhammad disagreeing with Johnson’s prediction that Leon Edwards would defeat Muhammad at UFC 304 this past July. Muhammad went on to win a one-sided decision over Edwards to claim the 170-pound title.

Johnson was hardly apologetic after Muhammad criticized his analysis, comparing his high-level experience to that of seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady to explain why he has more credibility than Muhammad. During Johnson’s reign as UFC flyweight champion, he successfully defended his title 11 consecutive times, a promotional record.

Muhammad has since responded to Johnson’s comments via social media, challenging “Mighty Mouse” to make picks for UFC 306 to see who truly knows what they’re talking about when it comes to breaking down fights.

Belal Muhammad puts out a challenge for Demetrius Johnson pic.twitter.com/GB5yQGWji3

— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) September 4, 2024

“I didn’t say you suck at fighting,” Muhammad wrote. “I said you suck at analyzing and picking fights.

“I challenge you to a pick-off for the Sphere card. We pick all the fights and loser makes a public apology.”

UFC 306, which takes place Sept. 14 at Sphere in Las Vegas, is scheduled to be a 10-fight card. The lineup is headlined by bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley defending his title against Merab Dvalishvili, with flyweight champion Alexa Grasso meeting Valentina Shevchenko in a trilogy bout in the co-main event.

There appears to be no genuine animosity between Muhammad and Johnson, so the welterweight champion is likely just finding ways to stay busy as he considers his options for his first title defense.