The UFC hasn’t been to Chicago for an event since 2019 for UFC 238, but it looks like the promotion could be headed back to the Windy City this summer–at least that’s what Belal Muhammad is hoping.
There’s no specific date or event name, but the current UFC welterweight champion—a Chicago native—has reportedly said he wants to return and defend his title for the first time in his hometown.
According to the report, which came from MMA social media content creator Krazy Kevin, Muhammad believes the event will take place in June.
UFC 316 Potentially in Chicago
UFC President Dana White has said on multiple occasions that he plans to return to Chicago in 2025, so the concept tracks. Muhammad will defend his title against Shavkat Rakhmonov whenever he returns to the Octagon.
Muhammad and Rakhmonov were scheduled to main event UFC 310 in Las Vegas in December 2024. However, a bone infection pushed Muhammad out of the fight. Rakhmonov stayed on the card and scored a tough decision win over Ian Machado Garry to solidify his spot as next in line for the title.
If Muhammad is out until June, he will need to overcome a near one-year layoff. Muhammad captured the title in July 2024 at UFC 304 in Manchester, England.
He defeated Leon Edwards in a long-awaited rematch to finally capture the title. If the Muhammad-Rakhmonov fight comes to fruition, it figures to be the main event.
Muhammad is a local, and based on the timetable, it’s easy to see how the UFC could potentially fill out the main card with other prominent Chicagoans. Yair Rodriguez fights out of Chicago.
He has a tough matchup with Diego Lopes on March 29. If he comes out of it mostly unscathed, is it crazy to think he could turn around for another fight in June? It might be pushing it a bit.
Jamahal Hill is another Chicagoan and former UFC champion. He just suffered a pretty physical TKO loss to Jiri Prochazka at UFC 311 on January 18. June would seemingly be a great spot for him to return. There are several possibilities for him, though he might have to fight someone ranked lower coming off back-to-back losses to Alex Pereira and Prochazka.
Heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes is another fighter from the Chicagoland area who would be a strong fit for a spot on the card. Hopefully, this event comes together with Muhammad in a position to headline and defend his title.
What’s Next for the UFC?
UFC Saudi Arabia takes place on February 1. The event has lost two fights, but the main event is still in place. Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya will take on Nassourdine Imavov.
In the co-main event, Shara Magomedov faces Michael Venom Page. Here is a look at the entire card.
Updated UFC Saudi Arabia Fight Card:
- Israel Adesanya vs. Nassourdine Imavov – Middleweight (185 lbs)
- Sharabutdin Magomedov vs. Michael Page – Middleweight (185 lbs)
- Sergei Pavlovich vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik – Heavyweight (265 lbs)
- Said Nurmagomedov vs. Vinicius Oliveira – Bantamweight (135 lbs)
- Ikram Aliskerov vs. André Muniz – Middleweight (185 lbs) – CANCELED
- Muhammad Naimov vs. Kaan Ofli – Featherweight (145 lbs)
- Shamil Gaziev vs. Thomas Petersen – Heavyweight (265 lbs)
- Terrance McKinney vs. Damir Hadžović – Lightweight (155 lbs)
- Fares Ziam vs. Mike Davis – Lightweight (155 lbs)
- Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. Mayra Bueno Silva – Flyweight (125 lbs)
- Bogdan Grad vs. Lucas Alexander – Featherweight (145 lbs)
- Hamdy Abdelwahab vs. Jamal Pogues – Heavyweight (265 lbs)
- Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady vs. Bolaji Oki – Lightweight (155 lbs) – CANCELED
Stay tuned for fight week coverage leading up to the event.
