The UFC touched back down in the UK in a sold-out Co-op Live Arena in Manchester for UFC 304. The crowd were treated to a card rammed with British talent, a true testament to the success of British MMA. In the main event, Leon Edwards took on the #2 ranked welterweight Belal Muhammad.
Leon Edwards v Belal Muhammad Fight Preview
Leon Edwards has become a superstar in his own right within British and worldwide MMA. The head kick that shook the world propelled the Jamaican-born fighter to UFC superstardom. His road to becoming champion was one of patience and world-class ability hiding in plain sight. Despite a frustrating period during the pandemic Edwards finally realised his dream by knocking out Kamaru Usman at UFC 278. Edwards then defended the belt against Usman in London at UFC 286, where he won by unanimous decision. Next it was Colby Covington, the American had talked his way into a title shot against ‘Rocky’ but put in a poor performance on fight night and couldn’t take the gold from Edwards.
Belal Muhammad brings another win streak into this fight, he’s currently on a 9-fight unbeaten streak. A streak that has seen him propel himself into the #2 spot in the welterweight rankings, second only to Kamaru Usman. Last time out, Belal secured a victory against divisional mainstay and previous title challenger Gilbert Burns. But, it is his win against Sean Brady that is the standout in this run. Belal showed his improved standup game in that fight and secured a standing TKO in the second round.
Edwards & Muhammad have met before, in 2021 the pair squared off in the Apex. Edwards dominated the first round and hurt Belal with a signature head kick, only for an eye poke to stop the fight in the second and lead to a no-contest. During fight week Belal has promised to “torture” Edwards, and finish the fight. Edwards likewise is confident of a knockout victory over Muhammad.
Fight Recap
The UFC has a new welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, who was able to defeat Leon Edwards by unanimous decision in the main event of UFC 304. Belal Muhammad was able to get this victory due to his relentless pressure. This turned out to be too much for Leon Edwards to handle right from the opening bell. Belal was able to overwhelm the champion to be able to take the belt.
Right from the start Belal would be able to set the template for this fight. This was when he came out in the opening seconds of the fight and got into the champion’s face straight away. This forced the champion onto his back foot as Leon Edward’s back would meet the cage that was when Belal was able to change and secure a double-leg takedown. While Belal was able to get the takedowns just like throughout the whole fight Edwards would be able to survive. Edwards would have temporary success on the feet before Belal Muhammad would be able to get the fight back to the ground.
This would be able to keep happening throughout the whole fight. Leon Edwards normally has a good takedown defence. However, due to Belal Muhammad’s relentless pressure and Leon Edwards not being able to break Muhammad’s grip, this was not able to keep the fight on the fight.
Leon Edwards best round would be the 3rd round. This was when he was the one to get the takedown and get back control. Edwards would fight to try and get the rear-naked choke however, Muhammad would be able to defend and survive the round. Muhammad would then go back to his gameplan until the final bell.
After the five rounds, Belal Muhammad defeated Leon Edwards 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 to become the NEW UFC welterweight champion.
UFC Fighters React to Belal Muhammad Defeating Leon Edwards
Featured Image Credit via Embed from Getty Images
