UFC288: El Tiempo de Belal Muhammad - Belal Muhammad's Time [ESP-ENG]
La pelea coestelar del evento de UFC, llevado a cabo en Newark(New Jersey), tenía una gran relevancia en la división del peso welter. Las 170 libras estaban en busca del próximo contendiente hacia el título, Gilbert Burns contra Belal Muhammad, nos iba a definir quien de los 2 va a enfrentar al campeón de la categoría. Debemos considerar que Belal Muhammad, se encontraba número 4 en la clasificación y Gilbert Burns, número 5 del ranking.
The co-main event of the UFC co-main event, held in Newark (New Jersey), had a great relevance in the welterweight division. The 170 lbs. division was in search of the next title contender, Gilbert Burns vs. Belal Muhammad, which would define who of the two would face the champion of the division. We must consider that Belal Muhammad was ranked number 4 and Gilbert Burns was ranked number 5.
El combate fue establecido en corto aviso, Gilbert Burns, se había ido de vacaciones con su familia y Belal Muhammad, estaba terminando el ramadán. Tuvieron solo 2 semanas de preparación, prácticamente no hubo tiempo de hacer mucho, necesitaban cortar peso y en esa semana no pueden entrenar muy fuerte. Pero, son unos guerreros, nunca colocaron una queja y aceptaron el combate que iba a definir el rumbo de la división. Se esperaba mucha acción, una pelea muy cerrada, de gran intercambio y hemos tenido todo lo contrario.
The fight was set up on short notice, Gilbert Burns had gone on vacation with his family and Belal Muhammad was finishing Ramadan. They had only 2 weeks to prepare, there was practically no time to do much, they needed to cut weight and in that week they can't train very hard. But, they are warriors, they never placed a complaint and accepted the fight that was going to define the course of the division. We expected a lot of action, a very close fight, a great exchange and we had the opposite.
Previo al combate que iban a disputar, se empezaron a notar muchas imágenes de una posible lesión de Belal Muhammad. Incluso, se puede observar en el video del pesaje, una pequeña molestia de Belal Muhammad, cuando intenta bajar de la báscula y se encendieron las alarmas. El tobillo presentaba una inflamación de mucho cuidado, por tanto, las predicciones comenzaron a girar en torno a Gilbert Burns. Pelear lesionado no es aconsejable y mucho menos contra un luchador de la élite.
Gilbert Burns, por su parte, llegaba en buen estado de forma, con la única intriga del corte de peso. Había peleado en UFC2877, tan solo un mes antes. Realizar 2 cortes de peso en poco tiempo, fácilmente, puede traerte grandes consecuencias al momento de pelear. Son 36 años para Gilbert Burns, deshidratar tu cuerpo de manera seguida, puede provocar un mal rendimiento y pienso que evidentemente fue lo que sucedió en el combate.
Cuando se subieron al octágono, Belal Muhammad, no tenía dificultades para moverse, la primera duda estaba despejada. El primer round fue de mucho estudio, Gilbert Burns, no estuvo lanzando muchos golpes, pero estaba siendo muy activo y todo parecía estar en perfectas condiciones para ser un gran combate. Luego, hubo un intento de derribo de Burns, parece que cayó arriba de su hombro izquierdo y esto provoco una pequeña lesión que no le permitió utilizar el brazo.
De momento, veíamos a Gilbert Burns, utilizar un solo brazo, nada más estaba lanzando el golpe de derecha y Belal Muhammad, comenzó a controlar el combate sin mucho riesgo. Belal, se encargó de manejar la distancia, conectar patadas al cuerpo, patadas a la cabeza y sumar puntos a través de pequeñas combinaciones. La pelea se tornó un poco aburrida, Gilbert Burns, no ejercía presión, ganar con un brazo, es una tarea casi imposible, Belal Muhammad, rápidamente lo noto y termino ganando en las tarjetas sin ningún problema.
Before the fight, many images of a possible injury of Belal Muhammad began to be noticed. Even, it can be seen in the video of the weigh-in, a small discomfort of Belal Muhammad, when he tries to get off the scale and the alarms went off. The ankle presented a very careful inflammation, therefore, the predictions began to revolve around Gilbert Burns. Fighting injured is not advisable, much less against an elite fighter.
Gilbert Burns, on the other hand, arrived in good shape, with the only intrigue being the weight cut. He had fought at UFC2877, just a month earlier. Making 2 weight cuts in a short period of time can easily lead to big consequences when it comes time to fight. It's 36 years for Gilbert Burns, dehydrating your body in a row can lead to poor performance and I think that's obviously what happened in the fight.
When they got into the octagon, Belal Muhammad had no difficulty moving, the first doubt was cleared. The first round was a lot of study, Gilbert Burns, was not throwing many punches, but he was being very active and everything seemed to be in perfect conditions to be a great fight. Then, there was a takedown attempt by Burns, it seems that he fell on top of his left shoulder and this caused a small injury that did not allow him to use the arm.
At the moment, we saw Gilbert Burns, using only one arm, he was just throwing the right jab and Belal Muhammad, began to control the fight without much risk. Belal, was in charge of managing the distance, connecting kicks to the body, kicks to the head and scoring points through small combinations. The fight became a little boring, Gilbert Burns, did not exert pressure, winning with one arm, is an almost impossible task, Belal Muhammad, quickly noticed it and ended up winning on the cards without any problem.
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Ha sido una pena, las expectativas no se cumplieron. Estoy seguro de que ambos podían ofrecer mucho más y hubiéramos tenido una gran pelea. Lamentablemente, el corto tiempo de preparación afecto a que no estuvieran en su máximo nivel. Belal Muhammad, confirmo que sí estaba lesionado y que su condición empero en la semana del combate. Las imágenes del tobillo inflamado, no mentían y los rumores fueron ciertos. Gilbert Burns, claramente, se lesionó en medio del combate y no pudo utilizar su brazo izquierdo.
Me parece que el corte de peso influyo en la lesión de Gilbert Burns, cuando tu cuerpo es castigado de gran manera, las lesiones llegan muy rápido y 2 cortes de peso en un tan solo un mes ha sido duro. Quizás, no debió aceptar el combate, muchos alegaban que no necesitaba pelear, ya estaba escrito su nombre como contendor, sería el próximo a pelear por el título y disputar este combate sería de gran riesgo. Estoy de acuerdo con esos comentarios, puede ser que haya subestimado a Belal Muhammad y termino con la derrota.
Antes de las acciones, Dana White, presidente de la UFC, confirmo que el ganador sería el próximo retador del título. Belal Muhammad, consiguió la victoria y ya no quedan dudas. Me alegro mucho, ha sido un peleador subestimado, pocos mencionan su nombre y viene con una racha impresionante de victorias. Su evolución ha sido notable, cuenta con un muy buen striking, tiene lucha para ir al suelo y su defensa contra derribos está excelente. Por fin, ha llegado el tiempo de Belal Muhammad.
Espero que más personas comiencen a respetarlo, quizás, no sea el luchador más vocal, no tiende a llamar la atención, pero tiene mucho talento y perfectamente puede ser el nuevo campeón de las 170 libras. Leon Edwards enfrentará a Colby Covington, quien termine con el cinturón, luego, tiene que enfrentar a Belal Muhammad. Hoy, 9 de mayo del 2023, puedo decirte que tiene todo para vencer a cualquiera de ambos luchadores y en su próximo combate lo veremos. Felicidades a Belal Muhammad, acepto un combate en corto aviso y consiguió una victoria estando lesionado.
It was a shame, the expectations were not met. I'm sure both could have offered much more and we would have had a great fight. Unfortunately, the short preparation time meant that they were not at their best. Belal Muhammad confirmed that he was indeed injured and that his condition worsened during the week of the fight. The pictures of the swollen ankle did not lie and the rumors were true. Gilbert Burns was clearly injured in the middle of the fight and was unable to use his left arm.
It seems to me that the weight cut played a role in Gilbert Burns' injury, when your body is punished in a big way, injuries come very fast and 2 weight cuts in just one month was tough. Maybe, he shouldn't have accepted the fight, many claimed that he didn't need to fight, his name was already written as a contender, he would be the next one to fight for the title and to fight this fight would be a big risk. I agree with those comments, he may have underestimated Belal Muhammad and ended up with the loss.
Prior to the action, UFC President Dana White confirmed that the winner would be the next title challenger. Belal Muhammad got the win and there is no longer any doubt. I am very glad, he has been an underrated fighter, few mention his name and he comes with an impressive winning streak. His evolution has been remarkable, he has a very good striking, he has fight to go to the ground and his defense against takedowns is excellent. Finally, Belal Muhammad's time has come.
I hope more people start to respect him, maybe, he is not the most vocal fighter, he doesn't tend to get attention, but he has a lot of talent and he can be the new 170 lbs. champion. Leon Edwards will face Colby Covington, whoever ends up with the belt, then, he has to face Belal Muhammad. Today, May 9, 2023, I can tell you that he has everything to beat either fighter and in his next fight we will see. Congratulations to Belal Muhammad, he accepted a fight on short notice and got a win while injured.
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1655065847449149440
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https://twitter.com/wenderj091/status/1656373476209356817?t=IcADlZ95ySnCPMsqlykdfQ&s=19