Is Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad 2 pointless?
Is Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad 2 pointless? Edwards and Muhammad are rematching this weekend in the main event of UFC 304. After the way the first fight went down there has been a much debate about whether the fight should happen or not.
Different fighters
The first fight between Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad happened in 2021 and ended in no contest after a first round eye poke that left Muhammad unable to fight. Since that time, both Edwards and Muhammad have improved night and day. Both fighters are better and are fighting at the highest level they’ve ever fought at.
Since then, Edwards has captured the throne, toppling the top pound for pound fighter in Kamaru Usman, shined in a rematch with Usman and beat the ever-obnoxious Colby Covington. Muhammad is the next challenger for him.
On the other hand, Muhammad has beat a who’s who of the welterweight division, including Stephen Thompson and Gilbert Burns. Muhammad hasn’t lost since 2019 but that does no justice to his activity. Since then, he’s 9-0-1 with the lone blemish coming to that fateful Edwards fight.
Both of these fighters have improved leaps and bounds. The rematch, based solely on the accomplishments of Belal Muhammad alone makes the fight worth it’s weight in gold.
Leon Edwards breaking down wrestlers
Leon Edwards has been on an incredible run. Since losing to Kamaru Usman in 2015, he’s been impeccable. He’s 12-0-1 with that lone blemish being the aforementioned Muhammad eye poke. 170 has become a wrestling heavy division and Edwards has become the perfect anti-wrestler.
The loss to Usman in 2015, Edwards has become a fantastic counter wrestler and someone who has put on great performances against Usman twice and Covington in his last 3 fights.
The Cool Boring Parts of Leon Edwards' Game pic.twitter.com/I6GUbSNf18
— Movement Martials (@MVMNTMartials) July 22, 2024
With Muhammad being a wrestler first, Leon Edwards will be in his element. Thwarting a wrestler is his speciality. Edwards hopes for a big homecoming against Muhammad in front of his home UK crowd.
Belal Muhammad: Second chances
Belal Muhammad is getting a second shot at Leon Edwards. Though the first fight was not for the title, he is getting that opportunity now. Edwards is at the top of the heap. And the built in rivalry and unfinished business the two have from their fight in 2021 add fuel to that.
Muhammad cannot let his age betray him. Welterweight is a deep division with young bucks chomping at the bit to get a taste of the new king. Muhammad is 36 years old and failing now will almost certainly spell the end of his hopes to become a UFC champion.
Muhammad will have to execute on Saturday night at UFC 304. He will have to fight the best fight of his life. Leon Edwards will look to continue his legacy as the perfect anti-wrestler. Much is on the line this weekend. This fight most certainly is not pointless.
