Belal Muhammad issues brutal 4-year waiting period to Leon Edwards before next title shot

After years of snub, 170-pound champ Belal Muhammad is unwilling to give Leon Edwards an opportunity even after UFC London.

Belal Muhammad issues brutal 4-year waiting period to Leon Edwards before next title shot

Years of being snubbed, Belal Muhammad does not mean to make it easy for UFC 304 rival Leon Edwards (Source: IMAGO/X)

Leon Edwards was hopeful of a welterweight title rematch against Belal Muhammad a lot sooner. Muhammad outpointed him last year to win the 170-pound title strap at UFC 304. However, “Remember The Name” remembers all the snubs he faced when he had to earn his title crack. Hence, he isn’t keen on offering Edwards such a quick way out, even after UFC London.

Muhammad was holding on to finally defend his title gold against Shavkat Rakhmonov for UFC 315. However, “Nomad” pulled out of the headlining spot. The brass tagged Jack Della Maddalena for it; Leon Edwards, though, is still expectant. He thinks a dominant win at UFC London will put him up for title contention. “Bully Belal” claims there’s rocky news for Rocky.

I don’t know where…I don’t know, what Leon’s thinking, but…Because, like Leon, you have a full three years before you could even think about…It’s gonna be a long three years of, uh, you know, fighting contenders. Like — I have my guy, the next guy in line anyway, I think, is Shavkat. So, I don’t. There’s nothing I don’t think he could do to [skip]…

Belal Muhammad via “Believe You Me” podcast
YouTube video

Belal Muhammad’s performance was way above par vs. Edwards during UFC 304. He ouboxed, spiked, deflected, and grappled away, giving “Rocky” very little to do. Edwards did mount some pocket of offense, but it was next to negligible.

FS Video

Muhammad reeled on 6-0 in win-streak since the eye poke NC; most of his wins, though, go to decision. Even UFC 304 did. Hence, in spite of defeating names like Gilbert Burns, Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque, Demian Maia, and Sean Brady (Round-two TKO), Edwards always dumbed down his run.

Nah, …yeah, he could throw. I go out there, [he] throws a cartwheel kick, spinning back fist, and then I’m still going to put. Lol. Uh, ‘he still sucks’…

Belal Muhammad further said

Now, “Bully Belal” is in no mood to hand out any opportunities anytime soon. To Muhammad’s point, he also does not think Edwards can leapfrog undefeated Kazakh and top contender Rakhmonov. Here’s looking to UFC London to see if he switches up on opinions.

UFC London: Odds and tidbits to know; does “Rocky” stand a chance to make better claim for gold?

Muhammad will have his sights on the UFC Fight Night event headliner between two former foes in London. When Brady vs. Leon Edwards goes live, both fighters will be hoping to make a better case for title opportunities.

Leon Edwards can build a momentum for title crack at UFC London
Leon Edwards can build a momentum for title crack at UFC London (Source: X)

“Rocky”, while still #1 in the UFC athlete listings, has a long way to impress the champ. His performance against him at UFC 304 last July left a lot to be answered. Belal Muhammad also often slammed the rival back that he would dumb down his struggle while touting his own journey up to the Birmingham sensation he is now.

Edwards incurring a loss to Muhammad was his first loss since the first NC in early 2021. After that, he went 4-0 (3-0 in title affairs). The Englishman aims to rebound home, and UFC London could be it. However, the surging Brady has better winning momentum on his side right now.

Brady’s lone career loss came to Muhammad, and makes it a better avenue to avenge. Brady is fresh off back-to-back wins over Kelvin Gastelum and Gilbert Burns. These were dominant performances as well.

Per DraftKing Sportsbooks, the opening odds to prop have the matter at Edwards (+120) vs Sean Brady (-140). Brady opened up as a slight underdog but soon ballooned up. Come the London scrapper, he’ll mean to prove why he’s ahead and try to bag a title shot.

Related: Belal Muhammad claims to be ONE win away from surpassing Georges St-Pierre’s legacy