Belal Muhammad, known by his nickname “Remember the Name,” ensured that no one would forget him after his victory on Saturday night. In the main event of UFC 304 at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, Muhammad delivered a dominant performance, combining superior grappling and much-improved striking to win the welterweight championship against Leon Edwards. The judges scored the bout 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46, all in favor of Muhammad.
This fight was a rematch of their 2021 encounter, which ended in a no-contest due to an accidental eye poke that left Muhammad unable to continue. After patiently waiting for his chance at redemption, Muhammad seized the opportunity and showcased a career-defining performance against Edwards, the hometown favorite who had hoped to delight the local fans.
“We have a real champion in Chicago now,” Belal Muhammad declared triumphantly, having extended his unbeaten streak to 11 with a victory that crowned him the new welterweight champion. The electrifying performance on Saturday night at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, saw Muhammad overcome Leon Edwards in a match that blended tenacious grappling with significantly improved striking.
Despite UFC president Dana White downplaying the prospects of an immediate rematch by saying the fight “wasn’t a barnburner,” Muhammad’s victory was nothing short of monumental. From the onset, he demonstrated his dominance by swiftly taking Edwards to the canvas. However, the resilient Edwards fought back, thrilling the Manchester crowd as he stood up and delivered a knee to Muhammad’s midsection, followed by a powerful left uppercut. Unfazed, Muhammad responded with an uppercut of his own and secured a second takedown to close the round.
This bout was a stark contrast to their previous meeting in 2021, which had ended prematurely due to an accidental eye poke that left Muhammad unable to continue. This time, Muhammad was the one dismantling Edwards, using enhanced grappling skills honed under the tutelage of former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
As the second round commenced, Muhammad maintained his aggressive pace, matching Edwards in hand speed before taking him down once again. Although Edwards managed to get back on his feet, Muhammad quickly took his back after slamming him to the canvas. In a desperate attempt to shift the momentum, Edwards executed a takedown of his own at the end of the round.
In the third round, Edwards managed to secure a takedown and took Muhammad’s back, seeking a rear-naked choke. Muhammad, however, fought off the submission attempts, marking Edwards’ only significant moment in a fight that Muhammad largely controlled.
The fourth round saw Edwards sting Muhammad with a left hook, but Muhammad retaliated with a combination that commanded Edwards’ attention. He then executed another takedown, maintaining his dominance despite Edwards’ brief reversal towards the round’s end.
With coach Dave Lovell urging him to finish the fight, Edwards sought a decisive sequence to retain his title. However, Muhammad’s relentless pressure resulted in yet another takedown—his ninth of the fight—allowing him to control Edwards for nearly the entire round. In a last-ditch effort, Edwards reversed position and landed a brutal elbow that opened a severe cut on Muhammad. But it was too little, too late. Muhammad’s comprehensive performance ensured that a new champion was crowned in Edwards’ hometown.
The defeat ended Edwards’ 13-fight unbeaten streak, his first loss in over eight years. Reflecting on his victory, Muhammad said, “He said I’m no Khabib [Nurmagomedov] or Georges St-Pierre. I’m Belal Muhammad. I’m my own man. Now the world knows it and sees it, now they have to respect it. I’m a world champion.”
In the aftermath of his career-defining victory, Belal Muhammad had firmly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the welterweight division, ensuring his name would be remembered for years to come.
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