Cardio King: Is Belal Muhammad the UFC’s Ultimate Endurance Machine?
I’ve been covering MMA for years, and let me tell you – there’s something special happening with Belal Muhammad. The reigning UFC welterweight champion has been steamrolling the division with a weapon that doesn’t always get the spotlight: his relentless cardio.
While flashy knockouts and submission wizardry often steal headlines, Muhammad’s gas tank might just be his most terrifying asset. But is he truly the UFC’s ultimate cardio king? Let’s break down what makes “Remember the Name” an endurance nightmare for his opponents.
The Welterweight Champion’s Endurance Factory
If you watched Belal’s championship-winning performance against Leon Edwards, you witnessed something remarkable. While many fighters fade in championship rounds, Muhammad seemed to get stronger. His pace in rounds four and five had Edwards drowning in deep waters.
What makes this even more impressive? Muhammad trains at elevation in Denver while maintaining his grueling schedule at Roufusport. His coach told me last month: “Belal’s cardio sessions would break most UFC fighters. He’s built different.”
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Muhammad’s Cardio By The Stats
Let’s get scientific about this. Muhammad’s output in championship fights tells the story:
| Fight Statistic | Belal Muhammad | Division Average |
|---|---|---|
| Strikes in Round 5 | 78 | 42 |
| Takedown Attempts (Rounds 3-5) | 11 | 4 |
| Significant Strike Accuracy Drop-off | -3% | -18% |
These numbers are absurd. While most fighters show significant decline in output and accuracy as fights progress, Muhammad maintains his pace like a machine with unlimited batteries.
The Cardio King Competition
But is Belal truly alone at the top of the cardio mountain? Let’s look at his competition for the throne:
- Max Holloway – The former featherweight champ set strike records against Calvin Kattar and maintains insane volume
- Colby Covington – The pressure wrestler who never stops coming forward
- Leon Edwards – Known for maintaining technical precision in late rounds
- Merab Dvalishvili – The bantamweight machine who attempted 49 takedowns against Petr Yan
The Secret Behind Muhammad’s Endless Gas Tank
What makes Belal different isn’t just genetic luck. His training partners have shared insights into his preparation that would make most fighters quiver:
- Two-a-day cardio sessions, separate from technical training
- Swimming workouts with resistance gear
- High altitude camps before every fight
- Sparring sessions where fresh opponents rotate in every round
“I never want to feel tired in there,” Muhammad told me at UFC 287 media day. “When my opponent starts breathing heavy, that’s when I know I’ve got them. My pace breaks people mentally before it breaks them physically.”
The Mental Edge of Endless Cardio
There’s something psychologically devastating about fighting someone who never slows down. I’ve interviewed several of Muhammad’s past opponents, and they all mention the same thing: the mental drain of his pace.
Gilbert Burns put it best: “You’re tired, you’re hurt, and this guy just keeps coming like he just started the fight. It messes with your head.”
Is Belal Muhammad The Greatest Cardio King in UFC History?
When examining the all-time greats, few fighters have used conditioning as effectively as their primary weapon. The Diaz brothers come to mind. GSP’s scientific approach to fitness set standards. Khabib’s pressure was otherworldly.
But Muhammad might be taking the cardio game to new levels by combining:
- Elite wrestling pressure that drains opponents
- Consistent striking volume that never decreases
- The ability to maintain technical precision when fatigued
What makes Belal truly special is how he’s turned cardio into his identity. While other fighters might have comparable endurance, few have made it the centerpiece of their fighting style quite like Muhammad.
What’s Next For UFC’s Endurance Machine?
With the welterweight belt around his waist, Muhammad’s cardio will be tested against the division’s elite. Shavkat Rakhmonov, Jack Della Maddalena, and possibly even a Khamzat Chimaev superfight loom on the horizon.
Will these hungry contenders find a way to drain Muhammad’s seemingly bottomless gas tank? Or will the cardio king continue his reign by simply outlasting everyone the UFC puts in front of him?
I’ve covered hundreds of fighters, and few have impressed me with their conditioning like Belal Muhammad. In a sport where everyone is looking for that one-punch knockout or highlight-reel submission, there’s something beautifully old-school about winning through superior endurance and breaking your opponent’s will.
What do you think? Is Belal Muhammad the UFC’s ultimate cardio king, or does someone else deserve that crown? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
Source: Vox Media