Belal Muhammad has brought fresh attention to a hidden conflict involving former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman by revealing details of a deleted podcast altercation. The incident, which allegedly saw Usman in tears during a heated exchange on the Pound-4-Pound podcast last year, has intensified fight rumors and sparked renewed tension between the two fighters.
The rivalry between Muhammad and Usman, both former UFC welterweight champions, has taken on a personal edge amid ongoing discussions about a potential matchup. Muhammad’s recent claims about the podcast incident appear designed to heighten anticipation for a fight that Usman has so far dismissed.
The Unseen Confrontation on Pound-4-Pound Podcast
Last year, Belal Muhammad appeared as a guest on the Pound-4-Pound podcast, co-hosted by Kamaru Usman. At the time, Usman was enduring a challenging phase in his career with a 0-3 record. Muhammad’s presence on the show reportedly triggered a heated confrontation that escalated beyond verbal sparring.
According to Muhammad, the argument led to physical altercations before the podcast footage mysteriously vanished from the hosting platform. The altercation reportedly involved multiple production staff attempting to intervene and de-escalate the situation. Henry Cejudo, who co-hosts the podcast, recently confirmed that several crew members stepped in to stop the fighters from coming to blows.
“I was on his podcast, made him cry, … then [we] threw some blows, then all of the sudden, I don’t know, it got deleted from the cloud and it’s gone, it’s missing! Who knows? …Maybe if we get this fight, they’ll use it for promotion, like the Khabib-Conor bus incident…Usman cried. Tears coming out his eyes, …If you want to see it, maybe that’s why he’s trying to edit it out, find some AI to do something different with it, guy’s ego is so big, when you talk to the guy and tell him, and he realizes he’s not where he was or where he used to be or who he thinks he is, I don’t think he can deal with that.” —Belal Muhammad, told Jaiden Cable for @HomeofFight-MMA
Muhammad insists the deleted footage shows a vulnerable side of Usman that is rarely seen publicly and suggests that the loss of the recording is intentional. He hints that if the two fighters eventually meet in the octagon, the episode could be used as a promotional tool similar to how the Khabib Nurmagomedov-Conor McGregor bus incident was leveraged for hype.
Belal Muhammad’s Rise and Relentless Rivalries
Leading up to this point, Belal Muhammad has been building a notable momentum in the welterweight division. Before UFC 315 and his main event appearance at UFC 304 in Manchester, he amassed an impressive ten-fight unbeaten streak. This run included victories over top contenders such as Gilbert Burns, Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque, Demian Maia, and Sean Brady—highlighting his credentials as a top-level fighter.
Despite his accomplishments, Muhammad’s fighting style and attitude have attracted criticism from rivals like Sean Strickland, Leon Edwards, and Kamaru Usman himself. These opponents have dismissed him as overly reliant on wrestling, producing unexciting fights, or being a “decision merchant.” Muhammad has embraced the role of the divisional “villain,” often firing back at critics and stoking rivalry flames whenever possible.
Given the personal history and high stakes involved, it is unsurprising that Muhammad is aggressively pursuing a bout with Usman, especially while continuing to capitalize on the podcast altercation story, which remains unreleased to the public.
Usman’s Recent Return and His View on a Potential Fight with Muhammad
Kamaru Usman recently re-entered competition at UFC Atlanta held at the State Farm Arena, where he decisively defeated rising prospect Joaquin Buckley after returning from a two-year break. Usman’s strategy leaned heavily on his wrestling prowess, controlling the fight for five rounds rather than showcasing his full striking arsenal.
Following this victory, Usman was asked about a potential fight with Belal Muhammad during the post-fight press conference. His dismissive response appeared to undermine Muhammad’s standing within the division, downplaying the possibility by asking, “Who’s Belal?”
The comment received an immediate reaction from Muhammad, who reiterated his desire to face Usman despite the lack of acknowledgment. Muhammad emphasized that both men rank among the most prominent welterweight fighters currently and that making the fight is logical due to their backward-and-forward exchanges.
“When you think of that division, the biggest names, we’re both two of the biggest names in the division, especially right now, …[now] It makes complete sense with the back and forth…He would get dominated, …There’s levels. I’ve been watching him for so long, wanting to fight him for so long, because I know I match up very well with him. He made it look easy against Buckley but you’re not going to take me down. You’re not going to out-strike me. You’re not going to out-cardio me. That’s why I see him trying to avoid the fight.” —Belal Muhammad
According to Muhammad, the matchup favors him due to his ability to neutralize Usman’s strengths across striking, wrestling, and cardio. This confidence sets the stage for a potential clash that many fans have awaited for years.
Usman’s Future Plans and Possible Opponents
Even while fielding Muhammad’s calls for a fight, Usman remains focused on extensive career goals, primarily aiming to reclaim the welterweight championship he held for over three years. Beyond a potential rematch or title defense, Usman is reportedly expanding his scope to face high-caliber opponents like Islam Makhachev and Jack Della Maddalena, indicating his intent to remain a dominant force in UFC’s broader lightweight and welterweight scenes.
Nevertheless, Belal Muhammad remains steadfast in making his showdown with Usman the main event of his immediate future, pushing to transform their tense history into a definitive contest inside the octagon.
What the Escalation Means for Welterweight Division Dynamics
The unfolding tension between Muhammad and Usman highlights a compelling narrative within the UFC welterweight division, where former champions grapple not just for titles but to assert relevance amid rising contenders. The resurfacing of the ‘Kamaru Usman podcast altercation revealed’ has intensified the public and media discourse surrounding both athletes, amplifying expectations for a potentially explosive matchup.
If scheduled, this fight would represent a high-stakes confrontation between two elite fighters with contrasting styles and strong personal motivations, likely drawing significant fan interest and media attention. Moreover, Muhammad’s strategy of leveraging past conflicts as promotional tools underscores the evolving nature of fight promotion, blending personal drama with sporting competition.
As this story develops, fans will be watching closely to see if either fighter steps toward agreeing to the bout, which could reshape the welterweight landscape and define the next chapter of these fighters’ careers.