Former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad entered the octagon in Al Rayyan, Qatar on Saturday seeking to rebound from dropping the title in his final outing. “Bear in mind the Identify” confronted No. 6 ranked Ian Machado Garry within the UFC Qatar co-main occasion with huge implications within the 170-pound division.
Machado Garry bounced again from his first profession loss with a victory over Carlos Prates in April. A win over the previous champion would put Machado Garry squarely in title rivalry to face newly topped champion Islam Makhachev sooner moderately than later.
Muhammad pressed ahead to begin the battle. Machado Garry landed a leg kick. Muhammad was fantastic staying within the pocket and buying and selling. Machado Garry by accident poked Muhammad within the eye and the previous champ was given time to recuperate. As soon as the motion was restarted, Machado Garruy related along with his jab. Muhammad stepped in with a proper hand. Muhammad loaded up with proper arms however got here up quick. Halfway by the spherical, Machado Garry delivered a leg kick that knocked Muhammad down. Muhammad instantly bought up. He closed the gap and pressed Machado Garry towards the cage.
Machado Garry circled free and Muhammad related with a proper hand. Garry responded with a mix. Muhammad was reduce under his left eye. Muhammad modified ranges however Machado Garry defended the takedown try. Garry separated and seemed to land a spinning again kick to the physique. Muhammad landed a counter proper hand. MMAWeekly scored the spherical 10-9 for Machado Garry, nevertheless it was an in depth spherical.
Machado Garry utilized leg kicks early within the second body. Muhammad pressed ahead and related with a tough proper. hand. Garry responded with a counter proper hand. Machado Garry continued to ship leg kicks. Muhammad closed the gap however could not take Machado Garry down. Muhammad labored for a single-leg takedown however Machado Garry shook off the try. Muhammad pressed him towards the cage however Machado Garry circled free.
Muhammad once more seemed to get the battle to the bottom. Machado Garry stuffed the try. Muhammad landed a proper hand and was by accident poked within the eye a second time. The battle was restarted and Machado Garry went again to utilizing his jab. They trade proper arms. Muhammad clinched. Machado Garry created distance and related with an elbow on the break. MMAWeekly scored the spherical 10-9 for Muhammad, nevertheless it was one other shut spherical.
Muhammad got here out aggressive within the last body. He landed a proper hand and pressured Machado Garry. Machado Garry continued to land leg kicks. Machado Garry related with a clear proper hand adopted by a entrance kick. Muhammad shortly clinched. They separated a proper hand by Muhammad discovered a house. He seemed for a takedown however Macho Garry defended the try. They labored for place contained in the clinch. They separated and Machado Garry doubled up on his jab. They clinched and Machado Garry landed an elbow on the within. Muhammad related with a left hand on the bell. MMAWeekly scored the spherical 10-9 for Machado Garry.
The judges scored the battle for Machado Garry through unanimous resolution. The scorecards learn 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.
