CM Punk has nothing but love for Belal Muhammad.
Punk, real name Phil Brooks, knows a thing or two about the UFC welterweight division, having tried (and failed) to get his mixed martial arts (MMA) career off the ground back in late 2016 and then again in 2018.
The less we say about those performances the better.
Punk, 45, is back on WWE television and used a portion of his Monday Night RAW promo to congratulate Muhammad, a fellow Chicagoan, on his championship performance at UFC 304 last month in Manchester.
“Remember the Name” captured the crown by defeating Leon Edwards.
“I just want to take a real quick minute to shout out, give some flowers to my good friend, my teammate, my brother Belal Muhammad,” Punk said. “He won the UFC welterweight title. It’s been a busy week, I didn’t forget. Congratulations. I love seeing good things happen to good people. I love watching hard work pay off.”
“Love you my brother,” Muhammad replied on Twitter.
No word yet on when Muhammad will make his first 170-pound title defense, but the leading candidates for first crack at the 170-pound crown include former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and undefeated division phenom Shavkat Rakhmonov.
Expect “Remember the Name” to return in late 2024 or early 2025.
