Belal Muhammad wants more UFC weight classes for fighter longevity
Muhammad (24-4 MMA, 15-4 UFC), a former UFC welterweight champion, previously discussed the possibility of moving up to middleweight had he been able to defend his title a few times. In a recent Q&A on his YouTube channel, Muhammad was asked if the UFC should consider increasing weight classes.
"Do I think the UFC needs more weight classes? I do," Muhammad said. "I think that there's a lot of guys that are just stuck in that middle zone from 155 to 170, 170 to 185. There's a lot of in-betweeners. I think it'll give guys more opportunities to fight longer, to fight multiple times a year.
"The weight cut kills a lot of people. I know a lot of guys that kill themselves, but even if you add weight classes I think higher guys are going to try to go lower. It's still going to be a bunch of mess, but you're going to get a lot more title fights. So, why not add more weight classes?"
Muhammad just turned 37 and is on a quest to regain his title after losing to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315. He still has plenty of fight left in him.
"For me, it's about listening to the body," Muhammad said. "I still feel great. I still love the sport. I still love training. (I) just came from training right now. Until I fall out of love with it, until I hate it, until my body is telling me stop it, that's when I start thinking about it. But right now, I still think I'm the best in the world. I'm still working to get back on top, and we are going to get back on top. So for me, it's looking at the next fight, waiting for the next fight, focusing on the next fight, and going from there. One fight at a time."
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