Matchmaker Monday following UFC Vegas 21
UFC Vegas 21 ended in a very unusual way.
At the start of the second round of the main event, Leon Edwards accidentally poked Belal Muhammad in the eye and Muhammad dropped immediately to the canvas. Referee Herb Dean stopped the action as Muhammad was screaming in pain on the ground. When Dean noticed how much pain Muhammad was in he brought the ringside doctor into check on him and Muhammad told the doctor that he couldn’t see. After hearing that, Dean waved off the fight and the fight ended in a no contest due to an accidental eye poke.
Given the result, both fighters are in a weird spot. Edwards was trying to secure a title fight and Muhammad was trying to join the welterweight elites. Let’s breakdown their next moves on this Matchmaker Monday.
Leon Edwards
Result: no contest against Belal Muhammad at UFC Vegas 21
Next: Colby Covington
The welterweight division is all screwed up at the top.
Kamaru Usman is the champ and tough one to beat. That’s a given. What’s next for him is a mystery as he beat Edwards years ago and recently he holds wins over Covington and Jorge Masvidal.
One of those three have to next and Usman wants Masvidal. Usually when a champ calls someone out that’s the next move. Personally I think Covington or Edwards should get the shot and whoever doesn’t get the championship fight would square off against Masvidal.
So if Usman gets his wish and fights Masvidal, that would leave Covington and Edwards out of the equation. In order to secure the next shot they would have to fight each other. Of course don’t forget about Gilbert Burns as he fits in anywhere against the top of the division. So there you have. That’s the breakdown of the drama filled elites of the 170 pound division.
Belal Muhammad
Result: no contest against Leon Edwards at UFC Vegas 21
Next: Li Jingliang
Muhammad originally called out Jingliang after his victory a few weeks ago at UFC 258. I liked that call because they’re both in a similar position.
They’re both talented, on the rise and ranked right next to each other in the official UFC welterweight rankings. I think the two should fight and the winner gets awarded with a top 10 fighter while the loser won’t lose any stock.
As for a wildcard in this situation, look at the loser of the upcoming fight between Tyron Woodley and Vicente Luque.
