Belal Muhammad came out on top in what was a very technical striking match with Tim Means at UFC Sydney.
Belal Muhammad was a Titan FC champion prior to joining the UFC. Since then, he is 3-2 with an epic Fight of the Night loss to Alan Jouban. Muhammad will be riding a two-fight win streak into UFC Sydney, with victories over both Randy Brown and Jordan Mein.
Tim Means is a joy to watch in the Octagon with five stoppage victories and a nasty clinch game along the way. Means bounced back from a loss to Alex Oliveira with an impressive decision victory over Alex Garcia. “The Dirty Bird” has earned two Performance of the Night bonuses in his five-year UFC career.
Punches were exchanged almost immediately, with Tim Means landing the most significant in the form of a left straight. Belal Muhammad answered with a right hook, then charged in with a combination. Muhammad worked behind his jab as Means landed another solid left straight.
Muhammad went body-head landing a big left hook. Means continued to push forward but was struggling landing with consistency. Muhammad popped a one-two while Means stuck him with another straight. Another big right over the top landed for Muhammad, as well as a left.
Means initiated a clinch and landed an elbow, then broke free. Muhammad landed another left hand and whiffed on a spinning backfist at the end of the round.
The battle of straight punches continued in the second round. There were blistering exchanges with nothing of significance landing. Muhammad shot for a takedown and got it but Means attempted a guillotine on the way down. Muhammad resisted by passing to half guard, then allowed Means up. Means landed a stiff jab as Muhammad missed a combination.
Muhammad slipped in the midst of an exchange due to a Means leg kick. Simultaneous jabs landed and Muhammad began to swell. Muhammad missed on a takedown effort, and the punch exchanges resumed until the round came to a close.
Means and Muhammad wasted no time, getting right back into in round three. Means narrowly missed a head kick but landed a slick leg kick during an exchange. It seemed as if the tide started to turn in Means’ favor in round three.
Muhammad’s contact lens came loose during an exchange so action was paused for a brief moment. After the action resumed, Muhammad seized the momentum again and landed a pair of combinations.
Muhammad landed a head kick then shot for a takedown that Means stuffed. Means landed a knee to the chin during the separation. Another low-high from Muhammad that Means answered with a pair of body shots.
Right hands landed for both fighters, then a left from Means before the fight came to a close. It was a very evenly matched contest that could go either way.
Belal Muhammad got the nod at UFC Sydney, and used his platform to call out rising contender Colby Covington.
Belal Muhammad def. Tim Means by Split Decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
