Belal Muhammad believes that if Hamzat Chimaev defeats Sean Strickland, he will receive a light heavyweight title fight against Paulo Costa. Notably, Belal used the term 'vacant' rather than 'interim' when discussing the potential title bout. The post suggests two possibilities: either Belal misspoke, or he anticipates that if Carlos Ulberg is sidelined long-term, the belt could become vacant again. The speculation raises questions about the future of the 205-pound division and potential champion movements between weight classes.
Welterweight champion Belal Muhammad has mapped out a potential path for Hamzat Chimaev that leads all the way to the light heavyweight title, predicting that a win over Sean Strickland would earn Chimaev a 205-pound championship bout against Paulo Costa.
Muhammad's comments carry an added layer of intrigue because he reportedly used the word "vacant" rather than "interim" when describing the potential title fight. That choice of language opens up two readings: either it was a slip of the tongue, or Muhammad believes Carlos Ulberg's hold on the light heavyweight championship could be in jeopardy. If Ulberg faces a prolonged absence, the belt could conceivably be stripped and declared vacant, setting the stage for a fight between Chimaev and Costa to crown a new champion.
Strickland, the current middleweight champion, enters any potential Chimaev matchup as one of the busiest strikers in the sport. The 35-year-old American out of Xtreme Couture carries a 31-7 record and lands 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a 76-inch reach that gives him range advantages in most bouts.
Costa, meanwhile, holds a 16-4 record and ranks thirteenth at middleweight, though the speculation here centers on him competing at light heavyweight. The Brazilian strikes at 6.26 significant strikes per minute and posts a 58 percent striking accuracy, making him one of the more dangerous power punchers in the sport at 35 years old.
Ulberg, the man whose status sits at the center of this discussion, is currently ranked third in the light heavyweight division with a 15-1 record. The New Zealand-based City Kickboxing product stands six-foot-four and lands 6.54 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- The word "vacant" rather than "interim" suggests the 205-pound belt situation may be more uncertain than publicly known
- A Chimaev title run at light heavyweight would represent a remarkable two-division campaign
- Costa moving up to light heavyweight would pit two high-volume power strikers against each other in a potential title fight
