Kamaru Usman stepped back into the octagon last Saturday at UFC Fight Night 281, fresh off a 13-month layoff, only to get absolutely schooled by Dricus Du Plessis in a unanimous decision. But here’s the kicker: Belal Muhammad was not even a little surprised by the former welterweight champ’s struggles. In fact, Muhammad told MMA Junkie he picked Du Plessis to win, calling out his “awkward style” as the likely problem for Usman, even if he figured Usman might snatch a couple of takedowns in the 185-pound fight. Those judges’ scores of 50-45, 49-46, 49-46 tell you everything you need to know about how one-sided that main event truly was.
The Ring Rust Was Real, Folks
Usman’s return was supposed to be a statement, right? Instead, it felt like an uncomfortable reminder of how brutal time off can be in this sport. Muhammad laid it bare, saying Usman had basically one fight in three years before stepping in there against an unconventional striker like Du Plessis. He pointed out it’s incredibly tough to get your timing back and acclimate yourself against someone with that kind of “awkward style.” Muhammad totally saw it. He just knew Usman wasn’t going to be comfortable and wouldn’t be able to see a lot of the stuff Du Plessis was throwing. And honestly, Muhammad wasn’t holding back on Usman’s post-fight reaction either, stating, “I don’t know what Usman was thinking. I don’t know why he was upset by the decision. It was clear for DDP.” That’s a pretty damning assessment from a fellow fighter who knows the game inside and out.
Muhammad’s Done Playing Usman’s Waiting Game
This wasn’t just a random observation from Muhammad. These two have history. We’re talking a legitimate feud that kicked off from a podcast scuffle. There’s been talk for ages about Muhammad and Usman finally stepping in the cage together, but it just never came to pass. Now, with Usman, at 39 years old, losing four of his past five fights and bouncing between welterweight and middleweight since his June 2025 win over Joaquin Buckley, you might think the timing’s perfect for that grudge match. Muhammad, who himself is coming off a three-fight skid after losing to Gabriel Bonfim last month, has made his stance crystal clear: He’s not waiting if Usman decides to take another vacation from the sport. He’s been chasing Usman and Colby Covington forever, but he’s not about to sit around for years between fights.
Muhammad is feeling good and pushing to get another fight in before the end of this year, emphasizing he’s still trying to grow and just waiting for that call. He’s not taking a year off after a loss, unlike some others. This dude is hungry. He wants to get back in there, prove himself, and keep climbing. You gotta respect that hustle when everyone else seems content to play the long game.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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