After silencing naysayers at UFC 304, Belal Muhammad has more competition ahead. The newly crowned welterweight champion defeated former champion Leon Edwards in his hometown. The fight was tough, but Muhammad remained in charge through the five rounds.
Although Edwards put up a good fight and managed to nick Muhamad on the bridge of his nose, he was still no match for Muhammad. After his win, Muhammad revealed his thoughts on entertaining a rematch against Edwards.
“Yeah, I’ll give him a rematch in three years. Let him work his way back up. I mean, I thought it was a dominant fight. There’s really no need for a rematch, and I don’t think he had that long [enough] reign as the champion where he’s entitled to a rematch.
“For me, I came into his hometown in front of his people, in enemy territory – so it was all a layup for him, but I blocked it.”
Following his victory, it seems Edwards has become a prime target for welterweight Shavkat Rakhmonov. ‘Nomad’ is an 18-0 undefeated contender who has had his eyes set on the championship belt for quite some time. The fighter took to X to send a congratulatory message to Muhammad. “Congratulations on your well-deserved victory, @bullyb170! I hope you keep your word and defend your title against me when you’re ready, champ.”
It didn’t take long before Muhammad saw the post. The fighter said he could battle Shavkat for his title defence.
Yeah, of course,” Muhammad said on fighting Rakhmonov at the UFC 304 post-fight news conference. “I’ve literally never turned down a fight. I’ve never backed down from anybody. I had so many people turn down fights against me, so now I’m at the top. I’m the man, and for me, now it’s cementing my legacy as the best welterweight to ever do it.
“I’m not going to sit there and call out these random guys. Who’s next in line? Who’s best in line? I’m going to show you who I am what I can do. They thought Leon could walk through me. Now, I’m going to walk through all these other guys.
“Who’s next in line, who’s the best in line? I’m gonna show you what I am and what I can do. They thought Leon would walk through me. Now I’m going to walk through these other guys.”’
Shavkat is currently ranked #3 welterweight in the world next to Muhammad and Leon Edwards. He has an undefeated pro-MMA record of 18-0 and is considered a perfect opponent for the champ.
