Sean Strickland Calls Out Belal Muhammad: The Grudge Match That Could Finally Happen

Austin Jones
May 18
3 min read

Sean Strickland Calls Out Belal Muhammad: The Grudge Match That Could Finally Happen

The rivalry between Sean Strickland and Belal Muhammad has been simmering for years, and with both fighters recently losing their respective title fights, it seems like the perfect time to settle their differences inside the octagon. Strickland, known for his brash and unfiltered personality, has reignited the feud, calling out Muhammad with a challenge that’s sure to turn heads in the MMA community. Sean Strickland calls out Belal Muhammad.

The Callout

In a recent interview with Helen Yee, Strickland didn't hold back, issuing a bold challenge to Belal Muhammad: “That would be a fun one. Sack up, dog. This is it. You can sack the fck up, dude. All the sht you talked. We can finally make it happen. Lost your belt. You kinda got fcked up. I kinda got fcked up. We should make that fight happen, Belal.”

Strickland’s callout comes at a time when both fighters are coming off disappointing title losses—Strickland was recently defeated in a middleweight title fight, while Muhammad suffered a setback in his welterweight division, losing to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315. With both of them no longer holding a championship, Strickland sees this as an opportunity to prove who’s truly the better fighter.

The Background: From 2021 to Now

This isn't the first time Strickland and Muhammad have been linked in a potential fight. Back in 2021, Muhammad offered to step in as a replacement for Luke Rockhold to face Strickland. However, Strickland refused the offer, setting off a string of verbal exchanges between the two. Since then, Strickland has repeatedly taunted Muhammad, even making jabs about Muhammad's heritage, claiming he should "do it for Palestine," and calling him a "pussy" for not moving up to middleweight to take on the challenge.

Strickland’s animosity toward Muhammad has been no secret. He believes that Muhammad is avoiding the middleweight division and is reluctant to settle their differences once and for all. For Strickland, this fight has become personal, and he's eager to finally settle the score.

Muhammad’s Response

Muhammad, who has been on the receiving end of Strickland’s jabs, has expressed interest in fighting the middleweight contender. After Strickland’s callout, Muhammad responded with an open challenge of his own. “I would move up to 185 and slap him around,” he said, showing that he’s ready to put the bad blood to rest and take on Strickland at 185 pounds.

Although this could be seen as a bit of a stepping stone for Muhammad—having only recently competed in the welterweight division—he seems eager to prove himself against Strickland and finally get that elusive title shot. The question now is whether Strickland is serious about making this fight happen or if it’s just another piece of his trash talk.

The Future of the Fight

As of now, the UFC has not officially announced a potential matchup between Strickland and Muhammad. But with both fighters voicing their interest in facing off, it seems only a matter of time before the promotion steps in to make this grudge match a reality. Given the animosity between the two and the fact that both have something to prove after losing their respective title fights, this fight would certainly bring fireworks inside the cage.

Strickland has always thrived on hype and drama, and his callout of Muhammad is just another example of his unique ability to stir the pot. Will Muhammad finally “sack up” and make the move to 185 to settle their rivalry, or will Strickland’s trash talk remain just that—trash talk?

One thing is for certain: This is a fight MMA fans would love to see, and if it does come to fruition, expect plenty of bad blood to spill both before and after the bout.

Conclusion

Whether you love him or hate him, Sean Strickland always delivers when it comes to stirring the pot. His callout of Belal Muhammad is yet another chapter in a long-standing rivalry that could finally lead to an epic showdown in the UFC. If both fighters can put their egos aside and make this fight happen, it could be one for the ages.