Manager: Muhammad 'likely' to return at UFC 310 in December

UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad is targeting the final pay-per-view event of the year, UFC 310 on Dec. 7 in Las Vegas, for his first title defense, his manager said.

"Belal wants to fight before the end of the year," Ali Abdelaziz told ESPN's Brett Okamoto. "He would like to fight on Dec. 7. There's been talk about him fighting in December, but there's no confirmation yet. But most likely you're gonna see Belal (at the) end of the year."

Muhammad dethroned former champ Leon Edwards in a unanimous decision victory at UFC 304 in July in England.

Many expect Muhammad's next fight to come against No. 3-ranked contender Shavkat Rakhmonov, who is 6-0 in the UFC. Rakhmonov revealed in August that the promotion tried to book that matchup for UFC 307 on Oct. 5, but Muhammad turned it down due to "timing issues."

Abdelaziz said he believes Rakhmonov and former champion Kamaru Usman are both candidates to be the next welterweight title challenger - and it will ultimately come down to which option the UFC prefers.

"It can be Shavkat, it can be Kamaru Usman, it can be whoever. ... (UFC CEO Dana White) makes the decisions, and whatever they want, Belal is gonna fight," Abdelaziz said. "It doesn't matter who."

Abdelaziz also represents Usman, who is ranked No. 2 at 170 pounds but has lost three in a row (including one bout at middleweight). Abdelaziz later said he thinks Usman, one of the greatest welterweights in UFC history, is no more than one victory from another title shot.

"Kamaru's ready," Abdelaziz said when asked if Usman will also fight before the end of 2024. "Listen ... Kamaru's finally healthy. He got the surgery he needed. And I believe Kamaru is one fight away from a title fight."