“This is surprising and disappointing” – Joe Rogan’s peer calls out Leon Edwards’ team for sidelining ‘rightful contender’ Belal Muhammad

Respected UFC commentator Jon Anik voices his displeasure with Leon Edwards' team after trying to sideline Belal Muhammad from receiving title shot.

“This is surprising and disappointing” – Joe Rogan’s peer calls out Leon Edwards’ team for sidelining ‘rightful contender’ Belal Muhammad

Jon Anik disappointed in Leon Edwards' team for trying to sideline Belal Muhammad (via Imago/ IMdB/YouTube)

Leon Edwards’ recent win over Colby Covington has sparked questions about his next opponent. Recently, popular analyst Jon Anik criticized Leon Edwards’ management for potentially sidelining Belal Muhammad, whom he considers the “rightful contender.” The remarks occurred after Edwards’ head coach, Dave Lovell, said he would prefer a match with Gilbert Burns over Belal Muhammad.

Anik, known for his honest criticism, objected to this choice and expressed his thoughts. The analyst suggested that Muhammad is the “rightful contender” and questioned Edwards’ team’s choice to deny him potentially. Here is what he posted on X:

This is surprising and a bit disappointing to hear out of Dave. I love all of Team Edwards. But they all know there is a clear, rightful No. 1 contender. Other divisions are murkier.
Jon Anik via X
YouTube video

Belal Muhammad, a 35-year-old native of Chicago, has remained unbeaten in his previous ten octagon appearances. His recent victories include renowned welterweight contenders such as Demian Maia, Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque, Sean Brady, and Gilbert Burns.

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At UFC 296, Edwards, the current UFC welterweight champion, successfully defended his championship for the second time. Despite his strong track record and undefeated streak in the category since 2016, his next opponent remains unknown. Lovell acknowledged Belal Muhammad’s place as a number 1 contender but saw Gilbert Burns as a more exciting opponent for Edwards.

Fight fans react to Jon Anik’s disapproval of Leon Edwards’ management

Fight fans reacted to Jon Anik’s criticism of Leon Edwards’ coach, Dave Lovell, and his preference for Gilbert Burns over Belal Muhammad. This sparked a heated debate among MMA fans, shedding light on diverse views within the community.

Fight fans react to Jon Anik's opinion on the next title contender
Fight fans react to Jon Anik’s opinion on the next title contender (via YouTube/Yahoo Sports)

A lot of supporters agreed with Jon Anik, citing Belal Muhammad’s evident status as the “rightful No. 1 contender.” Certain fans questioned Anik’s position in matching. Others believed that, despite being the number one contender, Belal’s fighting style was not that impressive. Here are some of the reactions from fight fans:

https://twitter.com/n0_just1n/status/1737620677904224728
https://twitter.com/Davei_Boi/status/1737607655282356274

Overall, the fan responses showed the MMA community’s different views on matchmaking choices. The social media discussion reflects fight fans’ enthusiasm and interest in the UFC stories, transforming discussions regarding future matches into a dynamic and exciting sport component.

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