Belal Muhammad believes that if Hamzat Chimaev defeats Sean Strickland, he will receive a light heavyweight title fight against Paulo Costa. Muhammad used the word "vacant" rather than "interim" when discussing the potential title bout. It's unclear whether this was a slip or if Muhammad is suggesting that if Carlos Ulberg is out long-term, the belt could become vacant again. The comment raises questions about potential championship scenarios at 205 pounds. Muhammad's prediction would represent a significant jump for Chimaev to a new weight class.
Welterweight champion Belal Muhammad has floated an unconfirmed prediction that a Hamzat Chimaev victory over Sean Strickland could lead to Chimaev fighting Paulo Costa for what Muhammad described as a "vacant" light heavyweight title, sparking speculation about the state of the 205-pound division.
Muhammad's choice of the word "vacant" rather than "interim" drew immediate attention. Whether it was a slip or a deliberate suggestion that Carlos Ulberg's status could leave the light heavyweight belt without a recognized champion remains unclear. The comment is unconfirmed and should be treated as speculation rather than any official UFC positioning.
Strickland, the current middleweight champion, holds a 31-7-0 record and is one of the division's most active strikers, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute at 42 percent accuracy. The 35-year-old American out of Xtreme Couture stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach and fights out of an orthodox stance.
Costa, ranked 13th at middleweight, carries a 16-4-0 record and represents a genuine striking threat at the same height as Strickland. The 35-year-old Brazilian lands 6.26 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 58 percent accuracy, making him one of the more precise power punchers in the sport.
Ulberg, the third-ranked light heavyweight and the man whose uncertain availability appears to be at the center of Muhammad's comments, holds a 15-1-0 record. The 35-year-old New Zealander from City Kickboxing stands six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach and lands 6.54 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- Any light heavyweight title scenario involving Chimaev would represent a move across multiple weight classes
- Ulberg's status at 205 pounds appears unresolved, creating genuine uncertainty at the top of the division
- Costa and Chimaev are both unranked at light heavyweight, meaning such a bout would carry major questions about contender legitimacy
- Muhammad's phrasing around a "vacant" belt adds an unresolved layer to the already murky 205-pound title picture
