MMA News

Tag: Leon Edwards

  • Robert Whittaker Feels Belal Muhammad’s Record Not Comparable To Leon Edwards’ Despite Similar Streaks: ‘There Wasn’t Any Holes Or Glaring Weaknesses…’

    Robert Whittaker Feels Belal Muhammad’s Record Not Comparable To Leon Edwards’ Despite Similar Streaks: ‘There Wasn’t Any Holes Or Glaring Weaknesses…’

    Robert Whittaker recently commented that, despite their remarkably parallel win streaks, Belal Muhammad’s résumé doesn’t quite measure up to that of Leon Edwards.

    “Rocky” is scheduled to defend his welterweight title against Muhammad in a rematch set as the main event of UFC 304. The upcoming showdown will take place this weekend at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England.

    Edwards and Muhammad initially crossed paths in the main event of a UFC Fight Night in March 2021. Unfortunately, an eye poke early in the second round rendered “Remember the Name” unable to continue, resulting in the bout being declared a no-contest.

    After their first encounter, “Rocky” secured a title shot by defeating Nate Diaz at UFC 263 and went on to knock out Kamaru Usman to claim the welterweight championship at UFC 278 in August 2022. Currently, Edwards is riding high on a 13-fight unbeaten streak, marked by victories over notable names such as Donald Cerrone, Rafael dos Anjos, and Colby Covington.

    Meanwhile, Muhammad had to work his way up the rankings, putting together a five-fight win streak (part of a broader 10-fight unbeaten streak) to finally earn a title opportunity. During his journey, the 36-year-old has triumphed over formidable opponents like Gilbert Burns, Sean Brady, and Stephen Thompson.

    However, the former UFC middleweight champion contends that it is the echelon of opponents that “Rocky” has defeated that truly sets him apart from Muhammad…

    Whittaker Sees Edwards As More Improved Than Muhammad

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWsg0vfJscw&t=217s

    During his recent appearance on the MMArcade Podcast, Whittaker weighed in on the clash between Edwards and Muhammad. “The Reaper” noted that the Jamaican-born Englishman has exhibited remarkable evolution in his fighting style compared to his opponent since their no-contest meeting.

    “I can see like two possibilities,” Whittaker said. “The first one, Leon Edwards, just being too good. I think the caliber of fights Leon Edwards has had is different from Belal Muhammad’s. Fighting Usman twice is huge, especially when he fought him the first time; that was good. Fighting Colby, like Colby, is a nightmare for everyone, and he was just able to shut him down so well with spectacular spacing. It’s very hard to find a hole, especially, you know, if we compare it to when he fought Nate Diaz, right? And we saw that hole get exposed in the later round or fights before that.”

    “I feel like he’s tightened up to a whole new degree, further than he was then, and especially in that last fight, I was so super impressed with just how clean he was. There wasn’t really anything to pick apart; there weren’t any holes or glaring weaknesses to exploit for Colby.”

    Whittaker further acknowledged “Remember the Name’s” impressive credentials but remarked that Muhammad would struggle to match Edwards’ relentless pace.

    “I find that sort of fight going to be hard for Belal Muhammad, who, you know, is not spectacular in any one field. He’s kind of just really high level at all of them, in my opinion. He’s amazing at everything, but I feel like his greatest strength is that he’s well-rounded. He can take the fight in any direction to get the win. But I think he’s going to have trouble trying to push that sort of game plan on Leon Edwards.”

  • MMA News Today: Emotional Francis Ngannou Opens Up About The Passing Of His Son, Paddy Pimblett Shares Warm Encounter With Former Foe At UFC 304 Fighter Hotel, & More

    MMA News Today: Emotional Francis Ngannou Opens Up About The Passing Of His Son, Paddy Pimblett Shares Warm Encounter With Former Foe At UFC 304 Fighter Hotel, & More

    Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 24, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

    • Ngannou bravely opens up following a tough year
    • Pimblett jokes with Gordon during shared elevator ride
    • Muhammad ranks welterweights, puts Edwards fourth

    Francis Ngannou Shares Heartbreak Following Family Tragedy

    The combat sports world rallied around the former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou after he suffered a family tragedy.

    His 15-month-old son, Kobe, sadly passed away in April and after taking time to have privacy, Ngannou spoke about this recently.

    The PFL fighter is hoping to resume his fighting career in the near future but after what he has been through as of late, his outlook on life has changed to some degree.

    He bravely spoke on the JRE MMA Show about what this was like to go through and how he now sees things differently.

    Despite always being grateful for what he has right now, Ngannou said that he looks forward to being reunited with his son in another life.

    “You have a lot of things to be grateful about but in your heart, you feel like you’re broke, you have nothing. I mean, I always love life and know that I have everything but at least for once, I’m like at least whenever I die, I’m going to go see my kid. I’m going to see him. I’m not afraid of it. I still want to live but at least whenever, you get to that point, to think like that. So someway you’re looking for what, for whenever that happen.”

    Paddy Pimblett And Jared Gordon Cross Paths And Exchange Pleasantries During UFC 304 Fight Week

    Ahead of his UFC 304 encounter with King Green this weekend in Manchester, Paddy Pimblett crossed paths with a former opponent of his when stepping into the fighter hotel lift.

    “The Baddy” earned a controversial split decision win against Jared Gordon back at UFC 282 but the two lightweights have always been friendly towards one another.

    After coming across one another, the two men embraced and Pimblett told him that he thought Gordon should have won his last fight which went the way of Nasrat Haqparast via another split decision.

    Gordon jokingly remarked, “I f****** did, again”, which both the lightweight contenders had a laugh about.

    “Flash” gave his prediction for the fight before they parted ways, stating that he thinks Pimblett will stay undefeated in the UFC this weekend by finishing Green who he faced in March last year.

    Belal Muhammad Says Leon Edwards Is The Fourth Best Active Welterweight

    Belal Muhammad believes that whilst his opponent this weekend at UFC 304 is the welterweight champion, he isn’t the best fighter in the weight class.

    Leon Edwards is set to make his third title defense in Manchester but Muhammad isn’t so sure that he’s worthy of being called the champion.

    In a recent interview with Kaz Crossley for Title Sports Network, the challenger was asked to give his own version of the top five rankings at 170-pounds.

    He, of course, put himself at the top spot with Edwards sitting below both Kamaru Usman (who Edwards beat twice) and Shavkat Rakhmonov with Jack Della Maddalena rounding out the top five.

    Muhammad will look to back up his claims on July 27 when he faces the man that, in his opinion, isn’t the top dog in the division.

    “I would be one. Then I would put Kamaru two, Shavkat (Rakhmonov) three. I would put Leon four. And then number five, I would put Jack Della (Maddalena),” Muhammad said. “Man, you’re gonna lose the last couple fans you have left once I take the belt away from you. sorry bro. … I don’t like Leon. My other opponents, I didn’t wanna fake it (trash talk) with like, a ‘Wonderboy’ or a Maia. … It’s easier to bully him (Edwards).”

    Read more on the story here.

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  • Belal Muhammad Ranks Leon Edwards As Fourth-Best Welterweight In The UFC Right Now

    Belal Muhammad Ranks Leon Edwards As Fourth-Best Welterweight In The UFC Right Now

    UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad doesn’t believe he’s fighting for the title against the division’s best this weekend.

    Muhammad’s long-awaited chance to reach the mountaintop on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage is now just days away, with the 36-year-old set to challenge for Leon Edwards’ gold in the main event of UFC 304.

    The pay-per-view card will be staged inside the Co-op Live in Manchester, England, this Saturday night, with Edwards and Muhammad’s second dance set to follow another title rematch between interim heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes.

    “Remember the Name” will make the walk through a hostile crowd as the underdog on July 27, tasked with achieving a feat that both Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington have failed to since “Rocky’s” 2022 crowning.

    But Muhammad has unwavering confidence when it comes to upsetting the odds. And to do so, the challenger doesn’t think he even needs to beat a top-three welterweight in the UFC…

    Muhammad Puts Himself, Usman, Rakhmonov Above UFC 304 Opponent Edwards

    During a recent interview with Kaz Crossley for Title Sports Network, Muhammad looked ahead to his first title opportunity in enemy territory this weekend and assessed the man looking to stall his championship ambitions.

    When asked to rank his current top five in the welterweight division, Muhammad put Edwards all the way down at fourth, below a man the champ has beaten consecutively in recent years, ex-titleholder Usman.

    “I would be one. Then I would put Kamaru two, Shavkat (Rakhmonov) three. I would put Leon four. And then number five, I would put Jack Della (Maddalena),” Muhammad said. “Man, you’re gonna lose the last couple fans you have left once I take the belt away from you. sorry bro. … I don’t like Leon. My other opponents, I didn’t wanna fake it (trash talk) with like, a ‘Wonderboy’ or a Maia. … It’s easier to bully him (Edwards).”

    Muhammad will look to prove his claim to superiority over Edwards come fight night in Manchester this weekend and secure the division’s top spot in the process.

    Should he accomplish that feat, all signs point toward a first defense against the undefeated Rakhmonov. And given Muhammad’s rankings, he’d no doubt be confident of a successful title retention.

  • Daniel Cormier Believes Leon Edwards & Belal Muhammad Are Underestimating Each Other Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘Both Of These Guys Are Much Better…’

    Daniel Cormier Believes Leon Edwards & Belal Muhammad Are Underestimating Each Other Ahead Of UFC 304: ‘Both Of These Guys Are Much Better…’

    Daniel Cormier recently remarked that Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad’s assertions of downplaying each other’s abilities ahead of their rematch at UFC 304 are far more than mere wordplay.

    Edwards is set to put his title on the line against Muhammad in the main event of the upcoming UFC pay-per-view this Saturday in front of his hometown crowd at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England.

    The two fighters first collided in a short-notice bout during the main event of UFC Fight Night in March 2021. Regrettably, an accidental eye poke in the second round compelled “Remember the Name” to bow out, resulting in the bout being ruled a no-contest.

    Since their rematch was announced this past May, both rivals have been relentlessly downplaying each other’s abilities through trash talk in interviews and social media posts. Muhammad, in particular, has gone so far as to label Edwards as the “easiest” opponent he could face in the division.

    While the animosity between Edwards and Muhammad is palpable, the former UFC two-division champion believes their trash talk is merely a tactic to rile each other up and hype the fight…

    Cormier Dismisses Edwards and Muhammad’s Verbal Jabs As ‘Gamesmanship’

    During a recent appearance on the Anik & Florian Podcast, “DC” observed that both Edwards and Muhammad seem to be underestimating each other, each believing that their opponent hasn’t improved since their first fight three years ago.

    “I think we’re in a situation where both of these guys are looking at the other, going, ‘Well, he ain’t what he’s supposed to be,’” Cormier said. “When I hear Leon Edwards talk about the competition, it feels like ‘Rocky’ expects the Belal that he kicked in the head in round one of the first fight, and then he was kind of beating, but it’s not the same Belal Muhammad.

    “But I know Belal Muhammad needs to recognize that it’s not the same Leon Edwards. We saw Leon Edwards change from fight one to fight two against Kamaru Usman.”

    The UFC Hall of Famer noted that both fighters are deliberately making provocative remarks to get under each other’s skin and boost their own confidence ahead of their upcoming clash.

    “I truly believe that it is all gamesmanship. We’re getting to the point where the gamesmanship starts to show, where you insult the guy to make yourself feel more confident going into the competition.”

    Following their initial bout, “Rocky” earned a title shot by defeating Nate Diaz at UFC 263 and ultimately dethroned Kamaru Usman to claim the welterweight gold at UFC 278 in August 2022.

    Meanwhile, Muhammad had to embark on a five-fight winning streak to finally secure his first UFC title opportunity. Only time will reveal how much both fighters have evolved to counter each other’s game plans.

  • Coach: Israel Adesanya Won’t Be Champion When Leon Edwards Moves Up In Weight

    Coach: Israel Adesanya Won’t Be Champion When Leon Edwards Moves Up In Weight

    A win in the main event of UFC 304 will earn Leon Edwards the third ruby on his welterweight title.

    Since stunning the MMA world with his head kick knockout of Kamaru Usman, the Brit has defended his title on two occasions heading into this rematch with Belal Muhammad on July 27 in Manchester.

    Edwards has made it clear that he has big goals in mind for his title reign at 170-pounds where he hopes to break the great Georges St-Pierre’s records.

    Though he has no plans to permanently leave welterweight at any point soon, “Rocky” also hopes to challenge himself at middleweight at some stage.

    With several top names sitting at the top of the division, it could be a very different landscape at 185-pounds by the time Edwards makes his move.

    Dave Lovell Picks Out Sean Strickland & Dricus Du Plessis As Potential Middleweight Fights For Leon Edwards

    In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Edwards’ head coach Dave Lovell was asked to give his opinion on who the middleweight champion will be when his fighter attempts to become a two-weight world champion.

    Israel Adesanya is set to challenge for the title that he has held twice before when he faces Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305 next month but Lovell doesn’t believe that “The Last Stylebender” will be around for much longer.

    Edwards’ friendship with Adesanya makes a fight between them incredibly unlikely anyway but the Team Renegade captain doesn’t see this coming to pass.

    He believes that either the current holder or the man he won the title from, could be Edwards’ middleweight opponent.

    “I don’t think Israel [Adesanya] because in all fairness, I love him and Israel is my brother but I think he’s coming to the twilight of his career now. and if I was him, if he fights Dricus, maybe win the title, defend it once or even just win that title and retire because he’s earned enough, he’s got nothing more to prove. I wouldn’t like to see Leon fight Israel because we’re all close that way, we’re all friends so I wouldn’t like to see that.

    “Dricus maybe if Dricus is still hanging around. I think the easiest, well I take that back, one of the fights that I think would be a good fight for Leon to showcase his skills against a man, Mr Strickland, who’s a kind of come forward kind of style fighter which would suit Leon.

  • PHOTOS: Leon Edwards & Paddy Pimblett’s Custom Shorts For UFC 304

    PHOTOS: Leon Edwards & Paddy Pimblett’s Custom Shorts For UFC 304

    It seems that the UFC is upholding its recent tradition of crafting bespoke fight kits for its marquee stars, with reigning welterweight champion Leon Edwards being the next to benefit from this stylish custom. “Rocky” will now grace the Octagon in dazzling, one-of-a-kind shorts for his upcoming bout.

    Back in 2014, the UFC inked an official apparel deal with Reebok, designating them as the exclusive provider of fight gear. Prior to this deal, fighters enjoyed the freedom to wear their choice of attire.

    However, for the past decade, the UFC, along with Reebok, controlled the design of fight shorts. In 2021, the apparel contract was handed over to Venum, marking the beginning of a new chapter in UFC fight gear.

    In 2020, featherweight contender Bryce Mitchell made history by debuting a custom Reebok camouflage short. Fast forward four years, and a torrent of creativity has surged into the Octagon. Venum has since designed tailor-made shorts for six additional fighters, all showcased in high-stakes title bouts at UFC 299, UFC 300, and UFC 302.

    Edwards, Pimblett To Potentially Sport Custom Shorts At UFC 304

    Edwards is gearing up to defend his title before his fervent home supporters against former rival Belal Muhammad in the main event of UFC 304. The highly anticipated rematch is set to take place at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, on July 27.

    According to a recent tweet from MMA journalist Christopher De Santiago, “Rocky” is set to don custom-made gear for his third title defense. The post included several images, seemingly sourced from the Venum website and the EA Sports UFC 5 video game, highlighting green shorts embellished with the Jamaican and British national flags alongside royal crowns.

    This unique design pays homage to Edwards’ rich heritage, celebrating his deep-rooted connections to both nations.

    Fellow UFC 304 main carder Paddy Pimblett is also receiving custom shorts at the event, De Santiago confirmed.

    Edwards and Muhammad first faced off at a UFC Fight Night event in March 2021. However, an unforeseen eye poke in the second round rendered “Remember the Name” unable to continue, resulting in a no-contest.

    Edwards is riding high on a 13-fight unbeaten streak, capped by a dominant unanimous decision victory over Colby Covington at UFC 296 last December. He claimed the welterweight title with a spectacular fifth-round knockout of then-champion Kamaru Usman at UFC 278 in August 2022.

    The Jamaican-born Englishman has also previously secured victories over high-profile opponents such as Nate Diaz, Rafael dos Anjos, and Vicente Luque.

  • UFC Full Fight: Relive Leon Edwards & Belal Muhammad’s 2021 Fight Ahead Of UFC 304 Rematch

    UFC Full Fight: Relive Leon Edwards & Belal Muhammad’s 2021 Fight Ahead Of UFC 304 Rematch

    UFC 304 headliner Leon Edwards is on a 13-fight unbeaten streak, but that run does boast one blemish in the form of a No Contest against upcoming opponent Belal Muhammad.

    Edwards is set to main event this weekend’s pay-per-view card at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, where he’ll put the UFC’s welterweight championship on the line against a familiar foe in Muhammad.

    The pair first collided in a UFC Fight Night headliner back in 2021, with Muhammad filling in for Khamzat Chimaev on a few weeks’ notice. After finding some early success, Edwards inadvertently poked “Remember the Name” in the eye 18 seconds into round two, rendering him unable to continue.

    Both men have since experienced nothing but victory inside the Octagon, with “Rocky” winning the 170-pound gold and successfully defending it twice at the expense of Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington. Muhammad, meanwhile, has won five straight over Demian Maia, Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque, Sean Brady, and Gilbert Burns.

    That run has earned “Remember the Name” his long-awaited first title opportunity and, in the process, a second shot at handing “Rocky” his first defeat since 2015.

    Ahead of Saturday’s event, the promotion has released the full Edwards vs. Muhammad fight from UFC Vegas 21 on its official YouTube channel.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDmfuhNJ_A8

    Given the success he had early on when they first shared the cage, many are expecting Edwards to finish the job second time around. Others, however, have highlighted Muhammad’s evolution as a fighter to dismiss the 2021 bout as a relevant guide to how the UFC 304 main event might play out.

    We’ll find out on July 27 which camp is correct with their assessment.

  • ‘If This Is Real I’m Putting My Bank Account On Leon’ – Fans Call Foul After Leon Edwards Allegedly Makes The Craziest Basketball Trick Shot

    ‘If This Is Real I’m Putting My Bank Account On Leon’ – Fans Call Foul After Leon Edwards Allegedly Makes The Craziest Basketball Trick Shot

    Either Leon Edwards is the greatest athlete to have ever walked the earth or a video on UFC 304 fight week has been faked to make it seem that way.

    A short clip on social media shows the UFC welterweight champion going for a run through a park as he prepares to defend his welterweight title this weekend in Manchester.

    After some people on a basketball court call him over and ask for “headshot dead”, in reference to his iconic celebration at UFC 278, he is happy to oblige.

    The champ then proceeds to walk onto the court and without breaking his stride, catch a stunning left-foot volley out of the air that sends the ball flying into the basket on the other side, sending the people around him into pandemonium.

    MMA Fans React To Leon Edwards Trick Shot With Amazement And Skepticism

    The video has got fight fans questioning everything after seeing “Rocky” pull off what is either clever camera trickery or one of the greatest trick shots of all time.

    Having won the welterweight title with the same leg, everyone knows that his left side is capable of one-shot wonders, but this takes things to a new level.

    Unless, like many of the replies suggested, there is a clever social media play afoot…

    “The way he casually punted the ball and it goes in”

    “Leon after that:”

    https://twitter.com/Lizard69Talking/status/1815481892453401075

    “Surely no one thinks this is actually real lol”

    “This definitely took 69,420 times”

    “If he plays England win the Euros”

    https://twitter.com/1995/status/1815493227048538228

    “If this is real I’m putting my bank account on Leon”

    “Just wait and see. Belal about to take a tennis ball to decision.

  • Leon Edwards Expects Layoff To Affect 36-Year-Old Belal Muhammad At UFC 304: ‘He Was Slow Anyway!’ 

    Leon Edwards Expects Layoff To Affect 36-Year-Old Belal Muhammad At UFC 304: ‘He Was Slow Anyway!’ 

    UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards believes he’ll have the advantage of more recent activity over Belal Muhammad this weekend.

    Edwards will put his 170-pound title on the line for the third time at the UFC 304 pay-per-view event on Saturday night, headlining the card in front of his home fans at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England.

    Having retained possession of the gold at the expense of Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington in 2023, Edwards is next tasked with revisiting his history with Muhammad over three years on from their first fight.

    The pair had a UFC Fight Night main event back in 2021 end in disaster after an accidental eye poke rendered “Remember the Name” unable to continue.

    While “Rocky” went on to achieve title glory, Muhammad has worked his way to first shot at the belt and rematch with the Brit courtesy of five straight wins over Demian Maia, Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque, Sean Brady, and Gilbert Burns.

    Some have pointed to that impressive run to justify their predictions for ‘and new’ in the UFC 304 main event. Edwards, however, believes the wait to extend the streak will be to Muhammad’s disadvantage…

    Edwards: 14-Month Layoff Could Impact Muhammad At UFC 304

    During a recent interview with Sportsnet’s Aaron Bronsteter, Edwards looked ahead to his third defense of the welterweight title and second on home soil since capturing it at the expense of Usman almost two years ago.

    “Rocky” pointed out that Muhammad has been awaiting his opportunity ever since outpointing Burns in May 2023. And with the champ having got the better of Covington last December, he expects the seven-month disparity in their layoffs to show itself at UFC 304.

    “Come next Saturday, he hasn’t fought for more than a year. He’s 36 years old now? 37 years old? Whatever he is. And he was slow anyway,” Edwards said with a laugh. “I feel like me now coming out, I fought in December and been training ever since. I feel like I’ve had the harder fights. I’ve had similar style matchups my last three or four fights. So I feel like it’s all playing out well, you know?”

    When he enters the cage on July 27, Muhammad will be looking to break a record and prove a notable stat regarding age wrong. A victory would mark him as the oldest title challenger to win gold in the 170-pound division or lower.

    Nevertheless, while stats would point to his age as a significant advantage for the champ, Edwards insisted he is preparing for and ready to dispatch the best possible Muhammad come fight night in Manchester.

  • Leon Edwards’ Coach Dismisses Makhachev’s Chances In Potential Super Fight: ‘Islam Is Not Known For His Striking…’

    Leon Edwards’ Coach Dismisses Makhachev’s Chances In Potential Super Fight: ‘Islam Is Not Known For His Striking…’

    Leon Edwards has outlined his hopes of trying to become a two-weight world champion if he’s able to keep hold of the welterweight title this Saturday at UFC 304.

    His third title defense comes in Manchester against Belal Muhammad but whilst “Rocky” has plans to go up, the champion at the weight class below may have something to say about that.

    Lightweight king Islam Makhachev also wants a shot at champ-champ status in the near future and Edwards has been open to that idea in the past.

    Despite Makhachev being considered by many to be the most in-form fighter in the world right now, the welterweight champion’s coach believes that he isn’t a big threat to Edwards’ title.

    Dave Lovell Questions If Islam Makhachev Would Be Able To Cause Leon Edwards Problems

    During an interview with Submission Radio, Team Renegade’s Dave Lovell spoke about how he sees a fight between Makhachev and his fighter playing out.

    Lovell doesn’t believe that the lightweight champion is a major concern to Edwards for a few different reasons.

    As he points out, “Rocky” is very used to fighting the top grapplers in his weight class at this point and has proven to be very effective against them.

    With Makhachev moving up in weight there will be a clear size difference between the two men and that gives Lovell confidence that “Rocky” would be too big and too skilled should the fight ever happen.

    “Would he be big enough? Would he have the same effect that he has at his weight now? I don’t think so. Has he met a sharp shooter like Leon? No he hasn’t. Again, what can Islam bring to Leon? Size wise, Leon’s physically bigger than him, outreaches him.

    “So again, he’s going to resort to what he knows which is his wrestling so it’s just unfortunate that you look at the last guys Leon fought. Usman twice, Colby, all wrestlers. Now Belal, wrestler. So, Islam is not known for his striking. They’re known for their wrestling and basically, Leon’s improving, people don’t understand.”

  • Belal Muhammad On Why Five-Round UFC 304 Main Event Favors Him: ‘He Literally Threw 60 Strikes Against Colby & Gassed Out!’

    Belal Muhammad On Why Five-Round UFC 304 Main Event Favors Him: ‘He Literally Threw 60 Strikes Against Colby & Gassed Out!’

    Belal Muhammad will challenge Leon Edwards for the UFC welterweight championship in the main event of UFC 304 on July 28, 2024. The former is riding an impressive nine-fight win streak and has defeated the likes of Gilbert Burns, Stephen Thompson, and Vicente Luque.

    Muhammad’s primary weapon has been his wrestling. However, he also showcased his striking prowess by knocking out Sean Brady. On the flip side, Edwards is considered one of the best strikers in the UFC and he’s nullified Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington’s wrestling in his two title defenses.

    “Remember the Name” and “Rocky” fought previously in March 2021 but the fight was ruled a no-contest due to an eye poke. Here’s how Muhammad plans to win the rematch and why he’s confident about doing so…

    Belal Muhammad Claims Leon Edwards Doesn’t Have The Tools And Cardio To Beat Him

    Muhammad appeared on the Weighing In podcast hosted by “Big” John McCarthy and Josh “The Punk” Thomson recently. While discussing his next fight, he outright discarded Edwards’ cardio by using the Covington bout as an example. The champion landed 57 significant strikes and had around 90 seconds of control time.

    “It’s still only one round. So people could say, make their excuses, but, there’s not even need for me to make excuses because it was only one round there’s still four more rounds to go.”

    The challenger seems unbothered by Edwards succeeding on the feet in the first round of their previous fight. He claims to have the advantage in a five-round battle.

    “Remember The Name” then also took a sly dig at “Rocky” for not being aggressive enough against an opponent who disrespected his family.

    Muhammad is riding high on confidence ahead of his first chance at winning UFC gold. He isn’t worried about anything that Edwards brings to the Octagon and plans to shut the kingpin’s gameplan down over five rounds.

    “Bro, he literally threw 60 strikes against Colby and gassed out in the fifth round. I’m looking at this guy, like bro, you’re a dominant striker, this guy disrespected your family, your father, and you still went out there and only threw 60 strikes against a guy with, you know, cardio kickboxing striking. It is hilarious that they call this guy the sniper, the killer, this and that. But when I look at his fights, when I look at his matches, I don’t really see nothing that I can’t walk through.”

    Muhammad has been out of action since May 2023, waiting for his title shot. However, he’s been training with UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov, convincing many fans that his wrestling has improved drastically.

  • Belal Muhammad Downplays UFC 304 Opponent Leon Edwards’ Résumé: ‘To Get The Title Fight, He Fought Nothing But Lightweights!’

    Belal Muhammad Downplays UFC 304 Opponent Leon Edwards’ Résumé: ‘To Get The Title Fight, He Fought Nothing But Lightweights!’

    UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad thinks his path to the belt was a lot tougher than champion Leon Edwards’.

    The pair are set to headline this weekend’s UFC 304 pay-per-view event inside the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, where Muhammad will look to upset the home fans by ripping the 170-pound title from “Rocky’s” grasp.

    Since their first fight ended in a No Contest over three years ago, Edwards has worked his way to the gold and subsequently defended it successfully twice to date. “Remember the Name,” meanwhile, has extended his unbeaten run to 10 with five straight wins over Demian Maia, Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque, Sean Brady, and Gilbert Burns.

    That run has left many branding Muhammad the clear number one contender, and some even calling him the most deserving challenger in UFC history. Edwards, however, seemingly hasn’t been too impressed and recently downplayed some of his opponent’s results.

    Unsurprisingly, Muhammad has returned the favor…

    Muhammad Insists He Boasts Tougher Strength Of Schedule Than Edwards

    During a recent interview with Kevin Iole, Muhammad looked ahead to his long-awaited first opportunity at achieving champion status on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

    The #2-ranked welterweight had his attention turned to Edwards’ remarks about his winning run and fired back in kind, suggesting that “Rocky” fought nothing but 155lbers to secure his 2022 title shot.

    “When I look at his résumé for him to get the title fight, he fought nothing but lightweights,” Muhammad said. “Donald Cerrone, RDA, Nate Diaz. Like, okay? Look at the guys that I beat, when I beat them. Gilbert Burns was on a two-fight winning streak. Luque was on a five or six-fight winning streak when I beat him. Sean Brady was on a 15-fight winning streak when I beat him. ‘Wonderboy’ was like 3-1 out of his last four fights when I beat him. Demian Maia was like 3-1…

    “He can say whatever he wants, but I know what I had to do to fight those guys,” Muhammad continued. “And when I trained for those guys, every single one of those camps I picked up something different, right, because I had to train for a grappler, then I had to train for a striker, then I had to train for a guy who knocked me out before. Every single one of those guys, every single one of those camps, I evolved as a fighter. … I fought the best version of them and I got the best version of myself out of it.”

    Muhammad will look to demonstrate that evolution since the unfortunate ending to his and Edwards’ first clash when they run it back in Manchester this weekend.

    And when it comes to achieving that feat, “Remember the Name” isn’t short on confidence. The challenger has vowed to unseat “Rocky” inside the distance, with him and his manager claiming he won’t even require the championship rounds at UFC 304.

  • Alexander Volkanovski Downplays Belal Muhammad’s Chances Against Leon Edwards At UFC 304: ‘TKO Or KO, I Definitely Can See’

    Alexander Volkanovski Downplays Belal Muhammad’s Chances Against Leon Edwards At UFC 304: ‘TKO Or KO, I Definitely Can See’

    Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski doesn’t expect to hear ‘and new’ when Belal Muhammad challenges Leon Edwards this weekend.

    The pair are set to headline Saturday’s UFC 304 pay-per-view event at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, with Muhammad heading to enemy territory in pursuit of Edwards’ welterweight title.

    Their clash will mark one of two championship rematches set for July 27, with it following a bout for the interim heavyweight strap between Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes.

    When Edwards and Muhammad first collided back in 2021, an accidental eye poke rendered “Remember the Name” unable to continue. While “Rocky’s” early success in that bout has left him as a heavy favorite in the eyes of many, Muhammad has vowed to finish him with ease at UFC 304.

    One ex-titleholder doesn’t see much chance of that coming to fruition across the pond…

    Volkanovski Expects Edwards To Retain Welterweight Gold At UFC 304

    During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Volkanovski provided his picks and predictions for four major matchups set to play out in Manchester this Saturday night, including the two championship headliners.

    Rounding out a whitewash for the favorites, “Alexander the Great” is backing Edwards to get the job done against Muhammad at the second time of trying.

    While Volkanovski acknowledged the challenger’s ability, he dismissed the notion that Muhammad boasts any tools capable of threatening Edwards come fight night. And with that in mind, he wouldn’t be surprised to see the champ find the knockout on July 27.

    “I thought Leon was looking good before that (eye poke) happened,” Volkanovski said of their first fight. “I’m gonna go with Leon Edwards. … He’s definitely the favorite. He’s rock solid. You’ve seen his wrestling defense, you’ve seen his grappling. He’s actually very well-rounded. Everyone has always thought he was a striker, but he’s very well-rounded. He was able to take Colby down…and Usman. It just shows you how good Leon Edwards is. And his striking is beautiful.

    “Belal Muhammad, a lot of people give him a hard time. … He is very calculated, doesn’t take unnecessary risks,” Volkanovski continued. “But the thing is, I thought he (Edwards) was quite aggressive in their first fight, and I think we’re gonna see that again. … He’s gonna let his hands go, which is gonna make him a lot more dangerous. … Belal, obviously is on a mad tear. He’s well-rounded, he’s got a lot of tools. But the tools that he has won’t work anywhere that’s gonna give Leon Edwards a massive threat. Can’t see him getting a finish; I think it’s gonna be very hard for him to win a decision too. … Can Leon Edwards get the finish? I think he can…TKO or KO, I definitely can see.”

    Edwards will hope to prove Volkanovski right and further enhance his legacy at 170 pounds in the process.

    And in addition to recording a third successful defense and cementing his grip on that divisional crown, another retention will only move “Rocky” closer to his goal of challenging for two-weight glory up at 185 pounds down the line.

  • VIDEO: UFC 304 Countdown Episode Ahead Of Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad 2 & Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes 2

    VIDEO: UFC 304 Countdown Episode Ahead Of Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad 2 & Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes 2

    Fight week for the UFC 304 pay-per-view this Saturday night has kicked off with the release of the promotion’s latest Countdown episode.

    Under the spotlight in this edition is the headliner between Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad and the co-main event between Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes.

    Saturday’s lineup is topped by a championship rematch, with welterweight kingpin Edwards (22-3, 1 NC) looking to add a third successful defense to his reign, which got underway with a victory over Kamaru Usman at UFC 278 in August 2022. He’s since retained possession of the belt by getting the better of Usman again and Colby Covington in 2023.

    If “Rocky” is to continue his rule atop the 170-pound mountain, he must record a victory over Muhammad (23-3, 1 NC) at the second time of trying. The pair first collided in a UFC Fight Night main event back in 2021, which ended prematurely when accidental eye pokes left “Remember the Name” unable to continue. He’s since won five straight over Demian Maia, Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque, Sean Brady, and Gilbert Burns to finally earn his first shot at gold.

    Before those two run it back in the main event at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena, another home fighter will put his title on the line in a rematch.

    Two years on from a devastating knee injury handing him his first UFC loss, interim heavyweight champion Aspinall (14-3) will look to right that wrong by leveling the score with Blaydes (18-4, 1 NC). In defense of the strap he captured with a thunderous knockout of Sergei Pavlovich last November, Aspinall is tasked with preventing “Razor” following his TKO of Jailton Almeida with first-time title glory on July 27.

    Ahead of those two contests across the pond, fans can catch previews in the full episode of UFC 304 Countdown on the promotion’s YouTube channel.

    UFC 304 Countdown: Full Episode

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMZEjU5aj-k
  • UFC Commentator Labels Belal Muhammad ‘Deluded’ For Pre-UFC 304 Comments About Leon Edwards

    UFC Commentator Labels Belal Muhammad ‘Deluded’ For Pre-UFC 304 Comments About Leon Edwards

    UFC commentator John Gooden believes Belal Muhammad might be overconfident with his trash talk aimed at reigning welterweight champion Leon Edwards ahead of their rematch at UFC 304.

    “Rocky” is preparing to defend his title against Muhammad in the headlining bout of the upcoming UFC pay-per-view, set for July 27 at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England.

    The two fighters previously clashed in a short-notice matchup at a UFC Fight Night main event in March 2021. However, the bout was cut short when an accidental eye poke in the second round left “Remember the Name” unable to continue, resulting in the fight being declared a no-contest.

    After their initial bout, Edwards earned a title shot by defeating Nate Diaz at UFC 263 and ultimately overcame Kamaru Usman to claim the 170-pound championship at UFC 278 in August 2022. Meanwhile, Muhammad had to achieve a five-fight undefeated streak to finally secure his first UFC title opportunity.

    As the two rivals prepare to clash again, “Remember the Name” is brimming with a new level of confidence, consistently downplaying the Jamaican-born Englishman and even branding him as the “easiest” opponent in the division.

    However, Gooden thinks Muhammad might have been overreaching with his verbal jabs…

    Gooden Argues Muhammad’s Discrediting of Edwards Is Misjudgment

    During a recent interview with MiddleEasy, Gooden weighed in on his compatriot Edwards’ upcoming bout against Muhammad. The British UFC broadcaster remarked that the American’s unwarranted verbal jabs at “Rocky” won’t win him any fans in the champion’s homeland and may even backfire.

    He mentioned that Edwards has garnered a substantial fan base in the UK thanks to his consistently stellar performances, which have cemented his reputation as a hometown hero.

    “He’s [Edwards] won over the British public through his success,” Gooden said. “I mean, Belal is talking a lot at the moment, and he is saying some pretty… Well, he’s discrediting Leon in a lot of ways. He’s got a lot of thoughts about his personality and his marketability, etc., etc., but Leon has earned this fanfare in the UK.”

    “The wider populous likes winners and Leon’s done nothing but that right, so he’s earned the popularity. So Belal is deluded if he thinks he’s going to walk out, and he’s going to get the cheers, and Leon’s going to get the boos like it’s not going to be that way.”

    Edwards isn’t celebrated for his microphone skills and had previously shrugged off Muhammad’s attempts to downplay him, questioning where his rival’s newfound confidence is coming from. Regardless, seeing how both fighters approach UFC 304 in the coming days will be fascinating.

  • Belal Muhammad Labels Champion Leon Edwards As His ‘Easiest Fight’ & Sees ‘Weaknesses’ All Through Welterweight Shark Tank

    Belal Muhammad Labels Champion Leon Edwards As His ‘Easiest Fight’ & Sees ‘Weaknesses’ All Through Welterweight Shark Tank

    Belal Muhammad recently claimed that reigning UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards would be a walk in the park for him, suggesting that the division has lost its edge and currently lacks competitiveness.

    “Remember the Name” is gearing up to challenge Edwards in a highly anticipated rematch for the title in the main event of UFC 304, scheduled for July 27 at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England.

    Muhammad went on an impressive 10-fight unbeaten streak to secure his long-awaited shot at UFC gold, a goal he has been vocally pursuing for quite some time. During his journey, the 36-year-old Illinois native defeated notable opponents such as Gilbert Burns, Sean Brady, and Stephen Thompson.

    Muhammad’s win streak has skyrocketed his confidence, leading him to view the divisional champ as a mere stepping stone…

    Muhammad Exudes Assurance Ahead of Edwards Rematch

    During a recent interview with Arab News, “Remember the Name” shared his thoughts on his upcoming clash with Edwards. He argued that the welterweight division is sorely lacking in competitiveness and confidently asserted that facing “Rocky” would be his most straightforward bout yet.

    “I see weaknesses in a lot of these guys,” Muhammad said. “I don’t think there are going to be easy fights, but looking at this division, Leon is my easiest fight.”

    Muhammad further emphasized that his extensive experience and relentless pursuit of improvement will be his greatest assets in the upcoming bout on July 27.

    “I’ve had the highest highs and the lowest lows. After every fight, I analyze what I did wrong. I train year-round to be a better fighter. I really think I’m behind a lot of these guys. So I’ve always had that mentality that I’m behind and have to keep learning, growing, and getting better. And I think that’s what separates me from the rest. Every single fight, I come as a different fighter.”

    Muhammad initially faced Edwards in a short-notice bout during a UFC Fight Night main event in March 2021. Unfortunately, an accidental eye poke in the second round forced Muhammad to withdraw, resulting in the fight being declared a no-contest.

  • Jon Anik Explains Why Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad 1 Is Not Good Indicator Of UFC 304 Rematch: ‘Largely, I Have To Throw Out Most Of The First Fight…’

    Jon Anik Explains Why Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad 1 Is Not Good Indicator Of UFC 304 Rematch: ‘Largely, I Have To Throw Out Most Of The First Fight…’

    It has been over three years since Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad first met inside the Octagon, back in March of 2021.

    As is always the case ahead of a rematch, one of the big questions heading into UFC 304 is how much we can learn from the first time that these two men squared off.

    Edwards will be looking to secure the third defense of his welterweight title in the main event on July 27, which he went on to claim after his fight with Muhammad ended in a no contest.

    For Muhammad, who took that fight on short notice and was unable to continue fighting after an eye poke, he then produced five consecutive wins over fellow contenders in order to earn this rematch.

    Whilst the fight only lasted just over one round, “Rocky” was on top for the majority – but Jon Anik isn’t putting too much stock on what he has seen from this match-up in the past.

    Jon Anik Says That Both Men Have Improved Too Much For Leon Edwards vs Belal Muhammad 1 To Impact The Rematch

    In a recent interview with InsideFighting, UFC commentator Jon Anik said that he doesn’t believe you can look too much into how the first fight between Edwards and Muhammad played out when previewing the rematch.

    Edwards started uncharacteristically fast on that night at the UFC Apex but as Anik goes on to state, Muhammad didn’t have the same kind of preparation ahead of time.

    “It’s hard not to toss it out completely, it was a short notice circumstance really for both athletes but Leon was to face Khamzat Chimaev, one of the three times those individuals were scheduled to have fought and Belal was the guy that stepped up.

    “Obviously he did show a lot of heart and toughness when he did have compromising spots in that fight, one of the hardest eye pokes I think to watch back just in terms of seeing the combination of a human being’s physical and emotional pain because Belal was not wrong in thinking that when that opportunity against Leon went away with an eye poke, that it was going to be hard to come by again.

    “But, they’re just different athletes at this point in time. So I know they’ve both leveled up, Leon levelling up maybe has been easier for someone like me with a more amateur eye to see but I give him a lot of credit for certainly those two wins over Usman.”

    Due to the time elapsed since their initial meeting, Anik came to the conclusion that both men have changed too much for the first fight to have much impact on this high-stakes rematch at UFC 304.

    “I’m fascinated to see [the rematch] but largely I have to throw out most of the first fight. Even though Leon had more success, I just think Belal’s a totally different physical animal than he was and I think Leon is 25% better than he was.”

    Read also: Curtis Blaydes Making No Changes For Tom Aspinall Fight At UFC 304: ‘I Don’t Adjust For Anyone’

  • Kamaru Usman Calls For Leon Edwards’ ‘Killer’ To Come Out At UFC 304: ‘If You Know You’re The Top Dog…’ 

    Kamaru Usman Calls For Leon Edwards’ ‘Killer’ To Come Out At UFC 304: ‘If You Know You’re The Top Dog…’ 

    Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman wants to see more from the man who dethroned him back in 2022.

    Since securing a memorable crowning with a last-gasp head kick knockout back at UFC 278 in Salt Lake City, Edwards has gone on to defend the title successfully twice in a pair of pay-per-view main events opposite Usman and Colby Covington.

    And like his trilogy triumph over “The Nigerian Nightmare” in March 2023, the champ’s next assignment will see him headline on home soil.

    At UFC 304 on July 27, “Rocky” will make the walk inside Manchester’s newly built Co-op Live arena for his third defense. Looking to bring his divisional rule to an end on this occasion is Belal Muhammad, as they run it back over three years on from a no contest at the Apex.

    Among those set to play close attention to how the main event plays out across the pond this month is Usman, and he’s called for Edwards bring out a different “Rocky” on fight night…

    Usman Urges Edwards To Prove He’s ‘Top Dog’

    While appearing on the ESPN desk to analyse the action at this past weekend’s UFC Fight Night in Denver, Usman looked ahead to his division’s upcoming title joust in Manchester.

    “The Nigerian Nightmare” had some good things to say about his former three-time opponent. However, he still wants to see more from Edwards as champion, especially when it comes to showing his “killer” instinct to those pursuing his gold from below.

    “I like Leon. You know, being a champion, he definitely has real skills,” Usman said. “But I feel like, as a fan now, I’m as frustrated as a fan because this fight should have happened already. It’s been such a long time ago. But I’m glad we’re finally able to get the fight, and for Leon to actually go in there and prove to people that he is high up on that pound-for-pound list.

    “I think it’s a good fight. I like the confident wave that Leon is carrying now. I think he understands the responsibility of being a champion; how you kind of have to train, the mentality that you kind of have to have,” Usman continued. “But just a little thing I would like to see from him is that killer come out. If you know you’re the top dog, you gotta prove it to each and every contender who wants your spot.”

    If Edwards’ prediction for fight night rings true, Usman can perhaps expects his advice to be heeded.

    While the champ’s two defenses thus far have gone the distance, “Rocky” has vowed to put his rivalry with Muhammad to bed by way of a violent knockout in the UFC 304 main event later this month.

  • Michael Page Gives Grim Assessment Of Ian Garry’s Title Chances After UFC 303: ‘Leon’s Gonna Kill You…Shavkat’s Gonna Kill You’ 

    Michael Page Gives Grim Assessment Of Ian Garry’s Title Chances After UFC 303: ‘Leon’s Gonna Kill You…Shavkat’s Gonna Kill You’ 

    Having shared the cage with him at UFC 303, Michael “Venom” Page doesn’t see Ian Garry reaching the top of the welterweight division.

    The pair collided in the main card opener of the International Fight Week pay-per-view on June 29 in Las Vegas. The three-round affair was widely branded somewhat lackluster, with the Irishman utilizing his grappling to edge frames one and three on the scorecards.

    The result marked the latest addition to Garry’s undefeated professional record and moved his UFC slate to 8-0, cementing his top 10 spot in the process.

    While “The Future” has confidently expressed that he’ll now move on to focusing on those above him in the pecking order and the title, “MVP” is confident he’ll soon have his résumé blemished…

    Page Didn’t Feel A Future Champion Against Garry At UFC 303

    During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Page looked back on the defeat he suffered in what marked just his second fight competing on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage following a decade in Bellator.

    The Londoner expressed frustration with his performance inside T-Mobile Arena, suggesting the result was more down to his own shortcomings than Garry’s efforts inside the Octagon.

    With that in mind, Page didn’t feel like he was squaring off against a sure-fire future champion. Far from it, in fact. “Venom” recalled facing someone who would get “killed” by UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards and top contender Shavkat Rakhmonov.

    “Not all. No,” Page said when asked if he sees Garry as a future champion. “Because if that’s the game you’re going to (use) when you get a decent striker, then Leon is going to kill you anyway, then Shavkat is going to kill you anyway. There’s a few guys in there that I just don’t see him surpassing. … Even in some of the areas, he didn’t feel massively strong. I’m not even trying to be disrespectful to him, because again, he’s done his job, he was smart about how he kind of went by it. But for me, regardless, this game for me is about combat. It’s about fighting. Not about stealing wins.

    “Even like I said, that last round, I didn’t necessarily need to stand up or need to let him stand up. I could’ve stayed there and just dragged it out and potentially got a better score in the third round and maybe that would’ve swayed it, but that’s not the game I’m in. I’m in a combat game. Like, I want to cause damage, I want to hurt people,” Page continued. “So yeah, I don’t see him progressing to the top. I think he’s talented. I think he’ll always be around there, top 10, top five, and then he’ll keep losing out to certain people. But he is still talented, and obviously he’s got a loads of time to progress and get better anyway.”

    Garry no doubt feels differently, having frequently insisted that a title crowning on MMA’s biggest stage is inevitable. He’ll look to prove that when he returns to action, potentially against one of the names mentioned by Page.

    Post-UFC 303, the Irishman had the name of Rakhmonov on his lips. While he got a positive response from “Nomad,” it remains to be seen if the UFC will share the same outlook and pair them together next.

  • Leon Edwards On Potential Super Fight Against Makhachev: ‘Islam Just Fought The First Actual Lightweight…’

    Leon Edwards On Potential Super Fight Against Makhachev: ‘Islam Just Fought The First Actual Lightweight…’

    Leon Edwards isn’t short on challengers that are hoping to earn a shot at his UFC welterweight title.

    The champion has already defended the belt twice, against Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington, and now looks to add a third ruby to his 170-pound title when facing Belal Muhammad at UFC 304 later this month.

    Despite having other potential candidates waiting in the wings, it also appears to be a matter of time before the champion in the weight class below looks to conquer a second division.

    Lightweight and pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev spoke after his latest defense at UFC 302 about his goals to fight at welterweight in the near future.

    Edwards believes that with both he and Makhachev on similar paths, the fight is likely to take place.

    Leon Edwards Says Islam Makhachev Just Beat His First Lightweight Contender At UFC 302

    During a recent interview with talkSPORT MMA, Edwards made reference to the fact that Makhachev’s first two title defenses didn’t come against a lightweight contender.

    Some may argue that his wins over the featherweight champion at the time, Alexander Volkanovski (who was also at the top of the pound-for-pound list), make his case for moving up and trying for a second belt even stronger.

    Having given Volkanovski this opportunity on two occasions, Makhachev believes that he is due his chance to do the same.

    However, despite believing that his submission win against Poirier was Makhachev’s first title defense against a contender in his division, Edwards did acknowledge that they will both be on the same amount of total defenses if he is able to get past Muhammad on July 27.

    He believes that this will likely line them up for a champion versus champion clash at some point although he does also have his own intentions to move up a weight class during his championship reign.

    “For sure, I feel like we’ve got work to do within the division. I feel like Islam just fought the first actual lightweight, he beat Volk, but this is the first actual lightweight he’s fought within the division. He’s on a three-defense streak, after I beat Belal, that’ll be my third as well so we’re both on similar paths. I can see that happening in the future. Also, I’d like to move up as well and challenge for the middleweight belt hopefully so whoever comes first.”

  • Kamaru Usman Slams Henry Cejudo For Suggesting Nate Diaz Walks Into UFC Title Shot Next: ‘You Were Two-Division Champ & Fought Merab!’

    Kamaru Usman Slams Henry Cejudo For Suggesting Nate Diaz Walks Into UFC Title Shot Next: ‘You Were Two-Division Champ & Fought Merab!’

    Following his win over Jorge Masvidal in boxing this past weekend, Nate Diaz expressed interest in avenging a previous loss of his.

    Diaz is keen to run it back with the current UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards, despite no longer being signed to the promotion.

    He faced “Rocky” back at UFC 263 in his second to last appearance inside the Octagon, where he lost the fight via unanimous decision.

    During a recent podcast, former UFC champions Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman disagreed on whether this rematch taking place is a possibility.

    Henry Cejudo & Kamaru Usman Debate Nate Diaz Walking Straight Into A UFC Title Shot

    Cejudo believes that given the name value and attention that Diaz brings to the table, he could potentially step back into a title shot. He said on the Pound 4 Pound podcast that a rematch with Edwards could potentially happen if both sides wanted it.

    “He called out Leon Edwards for the strap at 170-pounds, you don’t think Dana would give it to him? You don’t think Dana would give him that fight? Remember dude, the UFC is an entertainment company and if he’s able to bring those pay-per-view numbers and especially if a guy like Leon Edwards calls for the fight, he could potentially get it.”

    Usman, interrupted his podcast co-host, passionately disagreeing with Cejudo on the options that are currently available to Diaz.

    He used Cejudo’s own career as an example of why the Stockton fighter wouldn’t be able to jump right back in at the top in the UFC, despite his profile.

    “Let’s get serious here Henry, what?! You think, ‘Oh yes I want to fight Leon Edwards’ and he just jumps in and he gets a title shot? Are you serious? Come on Henry. Henry you were two-division champion and you came back and you fought Merab so basically, you had to earn the shot at Sean O’Malley. So you’re saying that he should just definitely come in and get it just because he has numbers?”

    Usman also countered the point made by Cejudo regarding the narrative of the fight between Edwards and Diaz that went down in 2021.

    Despite dominating the fight, the Brit had to face some adversity in the final moments of the contest after being caught clean by his opponent.

    Usman does not believe that this one aspect is enough for a rematch to make sense between them at this stage in both men’s careers.

    “He landed it, it was an incredible punch but that does not warrant him all because of that. He had one moment in the fight, we’re going to give him a title shot just because… get serious bro!”

  • Leon Edwards Breaks Down & Predicts UFC 304 Fights Featuring Fellow Countrymen Tom Aspinall, Paddy Pimblett, & More

    Leon Edwards Breaks Down & Predicts UFC 304 Fights Featuring Fellow Countrymen Tom Aspinall, Paddy Pimblett, & More

    While focused on his own assignment at UFC 304, welterweight champion Leon Edwards recently assessed a few other notable matchups set for July 27.

    Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion will head back across the pond toward the end of this month, visiting an English city other than London for the first time since pre-pandemic.

    The newly built Co-op Live in Manchester is set to play host to UFC 304, a pay-per-view event topped by two British champions in Edwards and Tom Aspinall.

    “Rocky” is expecting both him and the interim heavyweight kingpin to emerge with the gold still in their possession. And his support of fellow countrymen goes beyond just his fellow champ…

    Edwards Backs Aspinall, Pimblett, Allen To Join Him As Home Winners In Manchester

    During a recent interview with talkSPORT MMA, Edwards looked ahead to his upcoming Octagon outing, which comes 16 months on from his previous home fight in England’s capital.

    After analyzing his main event showdown with Muhammad for the welterweight gold, “Rocky” had his attention turned to some of the other notable bouts set to play out in Manchester featuring his compatriots.

    That included the other champion with whom he’s sharing the poster, interim heavyweight titleholder Aspinall.

    “I pick Tom for the win,” Edwards said. “Obviously (Curtis) Blaydes is a solid opponent; great wrestling, good boxing as well. But I feel like Tom is just like, for heavyweight, quite fast and moves well on his feet. So yeah, I favor Tom for the win.”

    Edwards’ next pick came with a self-admitted bias, as he backed fellow Team Renegade standout Arnold Allen to bounce back from his widely debated setback against Movsar Evloev this past January in Canada.

    “I’ve got Arnold (against Giga Chikadze). He’s my training partner, you know?” Edwards noted. “I know how hard he works in the gym and just how good he is. He’s looking good now in training camp, so I’ve got Arnold.”

    “Rocky” then went three for three on the home picks, predicting victory for Pimblett in his toughest Octagon assignment to date against #15-rankled lightweight Bobby “King” Green.

    “That’s a good one,” Edwards said, pondering more than his previous predictions. “I’ll go Paddy. I’ll go all-British through here. I’ll go Paddy but I feel like Bobby’s a dangerous fight for him. Probably his toughest test.”

    Come fight night, Edwards will no doubt be more concerned about his prediction for his own fight against Muhammad coming to fruition.

    While his first two defenses against Usman and Covington went to the scorecards, the Jamaican-born Brit is vowing to finish “Remember the Name” before the championship rounds when they run it back later this month.

  • ‘Me When I Lie’ – Fans React To Belal Muhammad’s Manager Predicting Finish In Leon Edwards Title Fight At UFC 304

    ‘Me When I Lie’ – Fans React To Belal Muhammad’s Manager Predicting Finish In Leon Edwards Title Fight At UFC 304

    Betting on the main event of UFC 304 to go the full five rounds on July 27 likely isn’t going to offer you large returns.

    Both Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad have been on dominant winning streaks in the welterweight division but neither the champion nor the challenger are particularly known for finishing fights.

    With Edwards’ very composed and calculated striking style and Muhammad’s brand of heavy and relentless grappling, they have seven finishes between them inside the Octagon.

    That being said, just under half of the Brit’s professional wins have come by stoppage, whereas Muhammad has 17 wins by decision and six finishes to his name, the last of which came against Sean Brady at UFC 280 in 2022.

    Despite this track record, the challenger’s managed recently made the bold prediction that his fighter will become the new welterweight champion without the need of the championship rounds.

    “@bullyb170 will stop Leon Edwards under three rounds,” Ali Abdelaziz wrote.

    MMA Fans React To Ali Abdelaziz Claiming Belal Muhammad Will Finish Leon Edwards

    If there is one criticism that is often thrown the way of Muhammad, it’s that he doesn’t finish enough fights or that his style isn’t the most exciting.

    It’s undeniable that he is incredibly effective, but there is an argument to be made that this approach has made it harder for him to find himself in position for a title shot.

    Fans reacted on social media to Abdelaziz believing that Muhammad will earn his fourth finish in the UFC against the man that he last faced in 2021.

    “Belal can’t finish a sandwich.”

    “Fight goes to decision is gonna be like -1000”

    https://twitter.com/DKD2421/status/1810436713615163669

    “Even Belal said that’s not happening”

    “Me when I lie”

    https://twitter.com/Jordan83835055/status/1810433123202585031
  • Rafael dos Anjos: Islam Makhachev Is Too Small To Beat Leon Edwards For Second UFC Title

    Rafael dos Anjos: Islam Makhachev Is Too Small To Beat Leon Edwards For Second UFC Title

    Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos doubts Islam Makhachev’s chances of achieving two-division glory.

    Makhachev has cemented himself as the 155-pound kingpin with three defenses since completing his long laud out path to the throne formerly occupied by his friend and mentor, the great Khabib Nurmagomedov.

    After submitting Charles Oliveira to win the gold in 2022, Makhachev went on to defeat then-featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski in a pair of contests last year, before most recently stalling Dustin Poirier’s late-career title ambitions.

    With his latest triumph at UFC 302, talk of the Dagestani surpassing “The Eagle’s” legacy and career on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage has increased. Many have pointed to a possible weight change as one factor that could move Makhachev into prime position to be the lightweight GOAT.

    But although the reigning titleholder has frequently expressed his plans to move up, one of Makhachev’s peers doesn’t see him getting the better of the champ above…

    ‘RDA’ Dismisses Makhachev’s Chances Of Beating Edwards

    During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, Rafael dos Anjos was asked for his take on Makhachev’s welterweight ambitions.

    The Dagestani looks set to be tasked with at least one more assignment at 155 pounds in the form of Arman Tsarukyan before looking to join the ‘champ-champ’ club.

    But should Makhachev get the better of the Russian-Armenian again and earn a shot at Leon Edwards, “RDA” doesn’t expect him to have the size and physicality to dethrone “Rocky.”

    “I remember when I moved up, I fought all the contenders. … When you move up and go straight for the title, of course you have a bigger chance to become champion,” dos Anjos said. “But I don’t think Islam — he’s got very good momentum right now, but I don’t think he could beat Leon Edwards and become a double champion.

    “I just think the size difference — Leon is a much bigger guy. And we saw smaller guys like Poirier giving Islam a lot of trouble,” dos Anjos continued. “Poirier, man, he’s very tough, but he used to fight at 145 (pounds) and he gave Islam a hard fight.””I just think the size difference — Leon is a much bigger guy. And we saw smaller guys like Poirier giving Islam a lot of trouble,” dos Anjos continued. “Poirier, man, he’s very tough, but he used to fight at 145 (pounds) and he gave Islam a hard fight.”

    Before potentially getting the chance to prove the Brazilian wrong, Makhachev must further cement his grip on the lightweight crown.

    In addition to Tsarukyan likely being next in line should he complete the requirements to reduce his suspension to six months, Charles Oliveira has also reiterated his plan to work his way to a second dance with Makhachev, while Michael Chandler claims to have been offered a title opportunity.

    Edwards, meanwhile, is next tasked with defending his welterweight strap in a rematch against Belal Muhammad at UFC 304 in Manchester this month.

    Beyond that, the Brit isn’t short on potential challengers, with the likes of Shavkat Rakhmonov, Jack Della Maddalena, and Ian Garry all waiting in the wings as first-time matchups.

  • Marc Goddard Names One UFC Champion He’ll Never Referee Fights For: ‘When He Was Just An Amateur…’

    Marc Goddard Names One UFC Champion He’ll Never Referee Fights For: ‘When He Was Just An Amateur…’

    When a big UFC main event is about to begin, you’re guaranteed to see one of just a few of the recognizable top officials in the sport standing between the fighters.

    Marc Goddard has been one of the staple referees working in the sport for some time now and is a former ‘Referee of the Year’ winner at the Annual MMA Awards.

    Despite being such a prominent fixture of the biggest events of the year, there are some occasions where the Brit has decided to remove himself from the equation for various reasons.

    Having been in and around the sport for such a long time, it’s only natural that you’re going to build connections with certain fighters or teams that may effect your ability to remain impartial.

    Marc Goddard Says You Never Have & Never Will See Him Referee A Leon Edwards Fight

    During a recent and rare podcast appearance, Goddard spoke about one of his only exceptions to officiating a fight on the Overdogs Podcast.

    He noted that fans will never see him be the third man in the cage when a current UFC champion is in action because of his ties to that fighter.

    With that in mind, you can expect to see a name like Herb Dean or Jason Herzog in the Octagon for the upcoming main event of UFC 304…

    “Leon Edwards, you’ve never saw me referee Leon Edwards in the UFC and you never will. Why? Because I was Leon Edwards’ first coach in MMA way back when, when he was just an amateur. But again, the common sense element for me…you never saw me referee him and you never will because we’ll just keep it out the way.

    “I just don’t want any hassle and I don’t want to be put in a predicament where I’m making a call that could go against him, so it’s both ways.”

    Goddard also revealed that there are other scenarios that can lead to him turning down a particular assignment.

    He gave the example of how he withdrew from being the official for Israel Adesanya’s rematch with Alex Pereira last April in Miami.

    Goddard gave the reason that after Adesanya wasn’t satisfied with the stoppage of his first encounter with Pereira five months prior, the official didn’t want this to have any impact on the challenger in the second fight.