Belal Muhammad is well aware of the transformations that can occur over a span of three years. This timeframe is particularly significant for him as it marks the duration between his last encounter with UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards and the eagerly anticipated rematch.
Their previous bout concluded disappointingly for Muhammad, who stepped in on short notice for Khamzat Chimaev only to face an eye injury in the second round, resulting in a no contest.
Undeterred by the setback, both fighters have enjoyed unblemished records since then. Muhammad, however, believes that the upcoming rematch will showcase his growth and catch Edwards off guard.
Belal Muhammad on Rematch With Leon Edwards
Speaking about the proposed rematch, Muhammad expressed his confidence, stating:, “Honestly, I think it will really wake people up to how good I am.” He highlighted the significant strides he has made in his skills and technique since their initial clash. Facing diverse opponents like Demian Maia, Vicente Luque, ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson, Sean Brady, and Gilbert Burns, Muhammad has honed his grappling, striking, and mentality.
“The level I’m at is 10 times further from that day from where Leon grew from there,” Muhammad asserted, emphasizing the substantial progress he has made.
Reflecting on the recent UFC 296 bout between Colby Covington and Edwards, Muhammad admitted that it stung to witness Covington’s struggles against Edwards. However, he maintained confidence in his standing as the rightful contender for the title shot, with assurances from UFC CEO Dana White and the promotion’s decision-makers.
While acknowledging the outcome of the Covington-Edwards clash, Muhammad couldn’t help but ponder how the scenario might have differed if he had been in the octagon that night. Expressing his belief, he stated, “If me and Leon were to fight, if we were to fight [at UFC 296] or the weekend that just happened, I would have gone in there, I would have dominated him, I would have finished him.”
The Second Encounter
Looking ahead to their impending encounter, Muhammad remains resolute in his conviction that he will dominate and finish Edwards. His optimism is fueled by the continuous evolution of his skills and the lessons learned from each subsequent fight. As the rematch approaches, Belal Muhammad exudes positivity and determination, eager to showcase the world how much he has evolved since that fateful first encounter with Leon Edwards.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
