BELAL MUHAMMAD SAYS HE HAS UNFINISHED BUSINESS WITH LEON EDWARDS
Summary
TLDRUFC fighter Bala Mohammed discusses his recent win over Gilbert Burns, highlighting the challenges and his mental toughness. Despite a swollen foot and doubts, Mohammed is grateful for the victory and the opportunity for a title shot. He talks about the strategic stance switching during the fight and addresses Gilbert Burns's possible injury. Mohammed expresses excitement about potentially fighting Leon Edwards or Colby Covington, emphasizing his dedication to the sport and readiness to take on any challenge.
Takeaways
- 🥋 Bala Mohammed secured a win over Gilbert Burns at UFC 288.
- 🏆 Mohammed is now in line for a UFC title shot, feeling blessed and acknowledging the hard work that led to this moment.
- ⏳ He took the fight on three weeks' notice, facing doubts but persevering through challenges.
- 🙏 Mohammed thanked God for helping him push through the tough times leading up to the fight.
- 🦶 He addressed concerns about a swollen foot, explaining it was just a minor issue managed by his coach and medical team.
- 💪 Mohammed noted Gilbert Burns might have had an arm injury during the fight, but Burns continued to fight aggressively.
- 🤼♂️ He strategically used stance switching in the first round to keep Burns guessing.
- 🌍 Mohammed is excited to fight in Abu Dhabi again, where he expects strong support from the fans.
- 👊 He prefers to fight Leon Edwards next, citing unfinished business from their previous encounter.
- 🗣 Mohammed emphasized his dedication to MMA, training hard every day, and taking risks like accepting fights on short notice.
Q & A
Who did Bala Mohammed defeat at UFC 288?
-Bala Mohammed defeated Gilbert Burns at UFC 288.
How does Bala Mohammed feel about getting a UFC title shot?
-Bala Mohammed feels blessed and has been working his whole life for this moment. He sees it as his title fight.
What challenges did Bala Mohammed face leading up to the fight?
-Bala Mohammed faced doubts from the world and himself, and he had to push through significant challenges during the week leading up to the fight.
What was the issue with Bala Mohammed's foot?
-Bala Mohammed's foot was swollen, but he received treatment from his coach Lewis Taylor and Heather, ensuring he could compete.
Did Bala Mohammed notice any injury in Gilbert Burns during the fight?
-Yes, Bala Mohammed noticed Gilbert Burns shaking his arm, but he couldn't be sure if Burns was playing games or was genuinely hurt.
What strategy did Bala Mohammed employ in the first round of the fight?
-Bala Mohammed used stance switching to give Gilbert Burns different looks and to disrupt his rhythm.
How does Bala Mohammed feel about potentially fighting in Abu Dhabi?
-Bala Mohammed is excited about fighting in Abu Dhabi again due to the immense support he received there previously.
Which fighter does Bala Mohammed prefer to face next, Leon Edwards or Colby Covington?
-Bala Mohammed prefers to face Leon Edwards because of their unfinished business and the way their last fight went.
What motivates Bala Mohammed to keep pushing forward in his MMA career?
-Bala Mohammed is motivated by his love for the sport, his commitment to training, and the desire to prove himself against the best fighters in the world.
What does Bala Mohammed believe about taking fights on short notice?
-Bala Mohammed believes that taking fights on short notice is a significant risk that many fighters avoid. He feels that taking such risks demonstrates his dedication and willingness to put his career on the line.
Outlines
🏆 UFC 288 Victory and Title Shot
Bala Mohammed reflects on his UFC 288 victory over Gilbert Burns. He discusses the significance of this win, viewing it as his title fight and expressing gratitude for overcoming self-doubt and external skepticism. Despite challenges and a short notice, he managed to push through and win.
🦶 Swollen Foot Controversy
Mohammed addresses online speculation about his swollen foot, explaining it was a minor issue managed with the help of his coach and a good foot massage. He emphasizes the importance of his strong mental game in overcoming physical obstacles during the fight.
💪 Observations on Burns' Injury
Mohammed shares his observations on Gilbert Burns possibly injuring his arm during their fight. Despite noticing Burns shaking his arm, Mohammed continued to engage, unsure if Burns was bluffing. He aimed to capitalize on the perceived weakness by targeting high kicks.
🔄 Stance Switching Strategy
Mohammed elaborates on his strategy of stance switching in the first round to confuse Burns. He credits his coach, Mike Valley, for enhancing his striking skills and making him adept at footwork, which played a crucial role in his fight strategy.
🌍 Anticipation for Abu Dhabi Fight
Discussing a potential fight in Abu Dhabi, Mohammed expresses excitement about receiving a warm reception compared to his experience in Miami. He reflects on the mixed reactions fighters often face and looks forward to the positive energy in Abu Dhabi.
🤼 Preference for Leon Edwards Fight
Mohammed reveals his preference to fight Leon Edwards over Colby Covington. He explains his desire to settle unfinished business with Edwards, who he accuses of running from him. Mohammed respects Covington but sees the Edwards fight as more personal.
💯 Dedication to MMA
Mohammed talks about his dedication to MMA, highlighting the hard work and sacrifices made behind the scenes. He emphasizes the risks he took by accepting a fight on short notice and how a loss could have set back his career. His faith in himself and his team was crucial in securing the win.
🥇 New Contender in the 170-pound Division
The interviewer congratulates Mohammed on becoming the new number one contender in the 170-pound division. Mohammed expresses his appreciation and reinforces his commitment to the sport, ready to take on future challenges.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡UFC 288
💡Bala Mohammed
💡Gilbert Burns
💡Title Shot
💡Three Weeks' Notice
💡Mental Game
💡Foot Swelling
💡Stance Switching
💡Leon Edwards
💡Colby Covington
💡Abu Dhabi
💡Jose Aldo vs. Korean Zombie
💡Eight Fight Winning Streak
💡Coach Lewis Taylor
Highlights
Bala Mohammed wins against Gilbert Burns at UFC 288, securing a title shot.
Mohammed expresses feeling blessed and describes this win as his title fight moment.
He took the fight on three weeks' notice, overcoming self-doubt and external doubts.
Mohammed thanks God for getting him through the challenges leading up to the fight.
He addresses the online rumors about his swollen foot, confirming it was real but managed by his team.
Mohammed credits his mental strength for pushing through the fight.
He noticed Gilbert Burns possibly injuring his arm during the fight but wasn't sure if it was a tactic.
Mohammed attempted to exploit Burns's possible injury by targeting it with high kicks.
He discusses his strategy of stance switching to keep Burns guessing.
Mohammed praises his striking coach, Mike Valley, for his expertise in the footwork game.
He looks forward to fighting in Abu Dhabi, expecting a positive reception there.
Mohammed prefers to fight Leon Edwards next due to their unfinished business.
He emphasizes his dedication to MMA, highlighting his hard work and commitment.
Mohammed took a significant risk by accepting the fight on short notice, aware of the career implications.
With this win, Mohammed becomes the number one contender in the 170-pound division.
Transcripts
UFC 288 Bala Mohammed he said it at the
start of the week he said what are they
going to say next you know he's standing
here he got a win over Gilbert burns the
man continues to win it does not matter
what you think of this man you know why
he can point to the scoreboard there are
W's on the scoreboard blah Mohammed you
got a UFC title shot coming up how does
that feel I mean I feel blessed you know
it's one of those things I've been
working my whole life for this moment
and uh this is like my title fight this
was my moment to get off three weeks
notice the world's doubting me do it I'm
doubting myself a couple times and I'm
like bro should I have taken a I'm
not taking it and uh man just want to
thank God for letting me get through it
and push through it uh people don't know
what we went through this week to get to
this day and uh to get through it and
get through a full 25 minutes it's
amazing now I want to get a I want to
get a look at the feet because there was
something going on online yesterday I
don't know if you saw it or not but
everybody was like yo what's up with
Allah Muhammad was that like a Photoshop
or something
yeah no it was just a little bit swollen
but you know we got the best in the
world Heather working on it uh my coach
Lewis Taylor gives me a good foot
massage every night so we got through it
like I said we got through today my
mental game is the strongest game and
that's all that matters did you notice
that Gilbert Burns's arm was was hurt I
mean I don't know if it was after the
first takedown or what it was but did
you notice in the fight yeah I sound
like shaking it out a little bit but
then like I'll get close and I'll see
him ready to wind up with it so it's
like you don't know if somebody's trying
to play games with you or not play games
with you and then I started throwing
high kicks to it and I was uh you know I
was trying to make it that uh that Jose
Aldo against uh Korean zombie moment
where I thought his shoulder popped out
but it didn't so I'm like all right well
I'm gonna keep hitting someone high
kicks there see what happens I want to
talk about the stance switching in the
first round as well was that part of the
strategy just to kind of give them
different looks in the first round to
not know what you were gonna do next
yeah for sure uh I'm I try to mimic a
lot of these guys and uh for him he
wants to be like planted on his feet and
then if he sees me moving sand switching
stand switching my coach is one of the
best striking coaches in the game shout
out to Mike Valley and he understands
stuff and sees stuff so we're we're like
trying to be experts at the Footwear
game and I'm getting better at every
time and I was talking to coach Lewis
and your team about this as well if the
Colby Covington and Leon Edwards fight
happens in Abu Dhabi the crazy part
about this is as much as people might
boo you here you're going to get a
bigger Ovation in Abu Dhabi than
probably the two people fighting for the
title bro I I can't wait just to go back
to Abu Dhabi because fighting over there
the love I got there was amazing and
they come in here getting booed I'm like
bro but I was in Miami when uh Gilbert
was getting booed against Mexico so I'm
like all right well Gilbert felt it
there so it's like I don't think it's
anything personal I love Sopranos
do you have anyone that you would rather
face would you rather face Leon or would
you rather kind of get to get you know
finally get your hands on Colby
Covington I mean I would rather fight
Leon just because of the way that last
fight went and because he was just
trying to sit there and run for me this
whole time Kobe's gonna be Kobe no
matter what but yeah I would definitely
want the Leon fight just because we
never we have unfinished business
I appreciate that brother I always
appreciate your honest insight and uh
you know what just your love for the
sport of MMA because your team said they
don't see what goes on behind closed
doors they don't see how hard this man
Works he got in the gym he did his
business and uh he came out tonight with
a W yeah honestly man it's like people
could say whatever they want about me
but I'm I'm going at it 100 every single
day of my life I'm living this sport
breathing it and there's no possible way
that 90 of these fighters on 851 issue
but never took a fight on three weeks
notice and taken that chance of putting
their whole career on the line because
you I lose this fight I'm three years
four years back and you know if I didn't
get a shot off at eight fight winning
streak what am I gonna get off of one
fight losing streak so there's so much
pressure to get this win and uh but I
know and I had the faith in myself and
my team that we could be anybody in the
world
the law Mohammed congratulations listen
the 170 pound division has a new number
one Contender
appreciate you my brother thank you
brother
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