Belal Muhammad shares a painful prediction for UFC Tampa: Covington vs. Buckley

Heading into the main event of UFC Tampa, Colby Covington remains a moderate underdog against Joaquin Buckley, with about 75% of Tapology community picks going for “New Mansa.”

These numbers shouldn’t necessarily come as a surprise considering Covington is coming off one loss and a 12-month layoff, while Buckley has rattled off five straight big wins – including a TKO over Stephen Thompson at UFC 307.

Welterweight champion Belal Muhammad discussed the UFC Tampa card on the RTS podcast and predicted a brutal knockout victory for the up-and-coming Buckley.

“I’ve been saying it for years, he (Covington) sucks. And I hope that Buckley breaks his jaw and takes him out – Buckley can take him out… Colby’s punches are terrible, his wrestling looked terrible in his last fight, I think Buckley is athletic enough to do this To defend defeats.”

Muhammad, an experienced wrestler himself, acknowledged that Buckley’s plan could fail if he can’t sustain the fight or burns himself out with wild shots.

“He can’t let Colby keep him on the fence and wear him down… He got a little tired in his last fight against Wonderboy, but I think that was more because he was wrestling offensively.

“You don’t really have to hold Colby, you don’t really have to shoot Colby because he can’t throw a punch, there’s nothing he’s going to throw at you that’s going to scare you, it won’t hurt… Take one.” Give him one and show him there are levels to strike.”

Even if Colby Covington crushes the odds and scores an underdog victory, Muhammad isn’t exactly keen on sharing the octagon with Chaos any time soon, teasing: “Me and Colby can’t fight unless I see him on the street – “He’s leaving.” to be slapped.

“He says, ‘I’m living in a $2 million mansion because I can’t be in the hotel because of you’ – that’s because you’re afraid, you’re afraid, and you’re not allowed to show yourself to anyone other fighters because you get slapped… He’s a nobody and nobody cares about him anymore.”

Belal Muhammad celebrates “new blood” at 170 pounds ahead of UFC Tampa

If we look at the broader title picture at 170 pounds, the “better” outcome for advancing the division would be a win for Buckley – with Muhammad keen to celebrate the “newbie” entering the title discussion.

“100%, correct. Now there’s new blood in the division like Shavkat (Rakhmonov) is next, but who’s after him?

“There are still chances, Ian just lost. So if Buckley goes out there now and gets this win, he’s in the mix… And a year ago people weren’t talking about him being in the mix.”

Of course, Muhammad couldn’t help but target former champion Kamaru Usman, who, according to Remember the Name, is wasting his time sitting in his seat while up-and-coming players like New Mansa remain active.

“All it takes is a guy like Usman to sit on the sidelines, sit in his spot and not fight any of these guys… He doesn’t do anything and waits to see what happens with the division; he’s going to have to fight one of these new guys (like Buckley).”

UFC Tampa: Covington vs. Buckley will air live this weekend – Saturday, December 14th.

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