Belal Muhammad Stepping In for Khamzat Chimaev to faceoff with Leon Edwards

Belal Muhammad Stepping In for Khamzat Chimaev to faceoff with Leon Edwards

Leon Edwards takes on Belal Muhammad on UFC Fight Night main event

Leon “Rocky” Edwards (left), Belal “Remember The Name” Muhammed (right).

Only weeks away from their scheduled fight date of March 13, Khamzat Chimaev, had to pull out of the bout with Leon Edwards due to health complications from covid. Edwards’ fans were cringing at the fact this could be his fourth canceled fight due to the worldwide pandemic. Thankfully, that’s where Belal Muhammad decided to interject himself and take the fight on less than a month’s notice.

Coming into this UFC Fight Night headliner both Leon, And Belal share a record of 18-3. However, Edwards’ last victory dates all the back to 2019, where he displayed an all-out dominant performance against Rafael Dos Anjos (number 7th ranked UFC lightweight). Using his superior game plan and striking he won by unanimous decision.

On the other hand, Belal Muhammad has stayed extremely active. Over the last 12 months, he’s secured two impressive victories via unanimous decision. In those fights, Muhammad showed glimpses of superior cardio and relentless pressure. As well as a stand-up game that’s continuously evolving, which has boosted him into the top 15 UFC welterweights.

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Will Leon’s inactivity work to Belal’s advantage?

Edwards (left), Muhammad (right).

With his recent storm of the welterweight division, Belal has found himself in the main event spotlight for the first time. This raises questions as to if he’ll be able to withstand the extra two 5 minute rounds. Edwards’ on the other hand, has been in one main event fight back in 2018. Facing off against the lengthy veteran Donald Cerrone, the fight went the full 25 minutes. The judge’s scorecards revealing Edwards’ as the unanimous winner.

As I had mentioned earlier, both fighters sit with a masterful 18-3 record. But as you dive deeper into statistics you begin to notice a trend. Edwards’ seemingly tops Muhammad in almost every notable category. Starting off with the most important in my eyes, winning streak.

Edwards’ has accumulated 8 victories in a row. With his most previous loss dating all the way back to December of 2015. Where he valiantly lost by unanimous decision to the current UFC welterweight titleholder, Kamaru Usman. As well as a favorable winning streak Leon also holds the advantage in striking accuracy.

With that in mind, I think it’s the key contributing factor in this fight. Although Muhammad saved the day by replacing Khamzat, there’s evidence to support Leon has a chance at running away with this one. Ultimately working his way back into a rematch against Kamaru Usman, for the UFC welterweight title.

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