UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad believes he knows why a sizable portion of the MMA community is against him.
Muhammad is set to make the walk in the main event of this weekend's UFC 304 pay-per-view at the Co-op Live in Manchester, England, where he'll challenge for Leon Edwards' 170-pound title in enemy territory.
Getting to the first shot of his UFC career hasn't been an easy ride for "Remember the Name," who has had to go unbeaten through 10 fights and win five straight since a no contest opposite "Rocky" to earn the chance.
Despite that arduous journey, however, it would appear that Muhammad still boasts a bigger group of detractors than most in the sport.
While some have put that down to his style of fighting, the UFC 304 title challenger has other theories...
During a recent fight week interview with Daniel Cormier, Muhammad looked ahead to his first opportunity at winning gold on MMA's biggest stage and assessed the continued doubt many are throwing his way.
In addition to his victories over widely adored fighters like Stephen Thompson and Gilbert Burns, Muhammad suggested the fanbase doesn't respect a "blue-collar guy" making it in the sport without the kind of combat credentials others boast.
I just feel like I've beaten their favorite fighters. I've beaten the fan favorites," Muhammad said. "And when you look at me, I'm not a black belt in anything, I didn't wrestle in college, I didn't have the crazy accolades, Olympian or anything like that. I'm just a normal guy that outworks everybody. I'm a normal guy that started late in my career and did it the hard route. People just don't respect that. But I'm the blue-collar guy.
We're in a new day and age. You've gotta be outlandish, you've gotta say stupid stuff, you've gotta be flashy, you've gotta smoke weed to get that hype," Muhammad continued. "The fans nowadays, that's what they're looking at. ... I've been telling people, if GSP was in this era, I don't think anybody would like him. People would be like, 'This guy's boring, he's too nice, he's Canadian.' ... In his era, I would have been a superstar.
Following Thursday's press conference, there's little doubt over the kind of reception Muhammad will receive from those in attendance at the Co-op Live in Manchester on Saturday night.
But he expects to upset the home crowd and the odds at UFC 304, completing a title crowning that he's long branded inevitable in the process.
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