Belal Muhammad dominates Leon Edwards, wins welterweight title in UFC 304 main event
The Ultimate Fighting Championship returned to us tonight, July 27, 2024, for UFC 304, going down live from the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England.
Headlining the event is a welterweight title bout between defending champion Leon Edwards (22-4) and no. 2 ranked Belal Muhammad (24-3).
This was a rematch of their 2021 encounter that ended in a no contest, a result of Muhammad suffering a nasty eye poke just 18 seconds into round two.
Edwards came into tonight’s main event on a 13-fight unbeaten streak, aiming to make the third defense of his welterweight title, while Muhammad came in on a 10-fight unbeaten streak; the only blemish on each of their records during that time is the no contest from their first fight.
Each man went into that one with a record of 18-3, and they both left with a record of 18-3 (1 NC).
Since then, Edwards had defeated Nate Diaz (UD), Kamaru Usman twice (KO, MD), and Colby Covington (UD). Muhammad on the other hand had defeated Demian Maia (UD), Stephen Thompson (UD), Vicente Luque (UD), Sean Brady (TKO), and Gilbert Burns (UD) since.
Continue reading to see how this welterweight championship affair went down:
Official Result: Belal Muhammad def. Leon Edwards via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
The opening round of this fight was much different than the opening round of their first; Muhammad started pressuring Edwards right away, securing a beautifully timed double leg takedown about one minute in. The champion got back to his feet where he landed some good body shots including knees and round kicks, though Muhammad landed a couple good jabs and took him down again at the end of it.
Muhammad really started to maul Edwards in the second, picking him up and dumping him on his head, immediately after taking his back. He absolutely dominated 90% of the round until the very end where Edwards secured a takedown of his own and ended the round on top.
Less than one minute into round three and Muhammad secured another easy takedown, his seventh in eight attempts, though Edwards was able to reverse it this time and take his back, holding the position with a body triangle until the bell sounded.
To our surprise Muhammad really started piecing Edwards up in the fourth, backing him up and landing just about everything he threw his way. He then secured another takedown, his eighth of the fight, and rode Edwards’ back until just 30 seconds remained on the clock where Edwards was able to spin into his guard.
Round five was quite similar to the fourth, Muhammad just dominating Edwards throughout until the final minute where Edwards spun into his guard. This time Edwards landed some vicious elbows from top position, opening a nasty gash on Muhammad’s face, but it was too little too late.
Belal Muhammad has seriously leveled up over these last few years, and it’s about time this man was given his shot at undisputed gold. What an incredibly dominant, impressive showing.
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