Belal Muhammad headlines UFC Vegas 118 against Stephen Thompson’s former rival

Former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad will look to get back into the title mix against a rising star.

Amidst Islam Makhachev’s two-division triumph and a potential showdown with Ilia Topuria, former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad is one of several contenders on the outside of the title mix. Muhammad, who won the UFC welterweight championship by defeating Leon Edwards at UFC 304, has lost back-to-back fights since he earned the belt.

Muhammad’s title reign lasted one fight, as he lost to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315. In his return, he was outpointed by Ian Machado Garry at UFC Qatar in November.

Despite his recent struggles, Muhammad isn’t far away from earning another potential welterweight title shot. Muhammad’s second pursuit of welterweight gold will begin against one of the division’s rising stars.

Belal Muhammad fights at the UFC Apex as he looks to snap a two-fight skid

As announced by UFC CEO Dana White on Thursday, Muhammad will fight Gabriel Bonfim (19-1-0) in the UFC Vegas 118 main event on June 6th at the Apex. This fight marks Bonfim’s second consecutive main event, after knocking out Randy Brown in his most recent outing in November.

Bonfim has won four fights in a row since a shocking knockout defeat to Nicolas Dalby in November 2023. He’s defeated the likes of Stephen Thompson, Khaos Williams, and Ange Loosa during his current run.

Muhammad will present the toughest test of Bonfim’s young UFC career when they square off at UFC Vegas 118. Muhammad, one of the division’s top wrestlers, will challenge Bonfim’s explosive striking and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

This fight marks Muhammad’s first fight at the Apex since outpointing Vicente Luque in April 2022. Before his recent struggles, Muhammad went on an 11-fight unbeaten streak inside the Octagon, a run he’ll look to replicate beginning at UFC Vegas 118.

The full UFC Vegas 118 lineup is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

What is your early prediction for Belal Muhammad vs. Gabriel Bonfim? Let us know in the comments!