"The rankings tell me that you are" - Belal Muhammad claims he broke Kamaru Usman "verbally, mentally, and spiritually" during podcast appearance

Belal Muhammad and Kamaru Usman have been going back and forth lately via social media posts and interviews. Muhammad recently claimed to have broken down Usman during a recent appearance on 'The Nigerian Nightmare's' podcast.

Muhammad defeated Leon Edwards by unanimous decision to win the welterweight title at UFC 304. Following his title victory, he and Usman have been trading barbs online as the latter makes his case for a title shot.

In a recent interview with Kevin Iole, 'Remember the Name' explained how the tide has turned following his title victory, with unbeaten contender Shavkat Rakhmonov and former champion Usman calling him out.

''It's hilarious, right? it's because even especially with Usman, because Usman was a guy that didn't mention my name, wouldn't say my name. He was calling on everybody else, saying, 'Oh this guy deserves the next' when he was a champion and I had like the longest streak at the time and he was just kept asking like I didn't exist.''

The reigning champion even discussed his appearance on an episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast, which has yet to be released, and how his presence infuriated Usman, one of the hosts.

''I went on his podcast and I broke him down, verbally, mentally, spiritually, I could just see it in his face. He did not like not being the guy on top... I was like, 'Yeah, it feels good to be on top; everybody's looking upwards at me,' and he was like, 'I ain't looking upwards at you.' I'm like, 'The rankings tell me that you are looking upward at me.'"

Check out Belal Muhammad's comments below (1:44):

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Belal Muhammad wants to face Shavkat Rakhmonov next

Following his title win at UFC 304, Belal Muhammad named Shavkat Rakhmonov and Kamaru Usman as the potential challengers for his first title defense.

However, in the same interview with Kevin Iole, Muhammad dismissed Usman by mentioning his three-fight losing streak and said he would like to take on Rakhmonov next.

''For me now, I would rather it be Shavkat [Rakhmonov]. I think he has more aura. He has the undefeated part about him. There’s no excuses after beating him. If I go out there and beat Usman, Usman’s on a three-fight losing streak. He’s old, he’s on his way out, and he needs another win to get in the mix and show that he’s still hungry.” [19:00]