Matchmaker Tai Tuivasa knew the rematch
between Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad was bound to happen since
2022 😂
#UFC304 pic.twitter.com/krDISwJMao— ESPN MMA (@espnmma)
July 22, 2024
Tai
Tuivasa had an idea that Leon
Edwards and Belal
Muhammad would cross paths again long before their rematch was
booked.
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Muhammad will challenge Edwards for the welterweight title in the
main event at UFC 304 on Saturday at the Co-op Live Arena in
Manchester, England. The two have unfinished business from their
initial encounter in the UFC Fight Night 187 headliner in 2021 that
ended in an unfortunate no-contest due to an accidental eye poke
from Edwards.
With that being the only blemish in their recent win streaks,
Muhammad and Edwards were definitely set on a collision course.
Edwards went on to dethrone Kamaru
Usman via head kick KO in a shocking upset at UFC 278 in August
2022. Meanwhile, Muhammad dispatched a previously undefeated
Sean
Brady via second-round TKO at UFC 280 a couple of months later.
Muhammad subsequently called for a matchup against Edwards,
although the Englishman was already slated to face Usman in a
rematch.
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Tuivasa caught hold of both Muhammad and Edwards, who was in
attendance for UFC 280, outside the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. “Bam
Bam,” having apparently downed a few shoeys by then, tried to set
up a rematch between Muhammad and Edwards on the spot.
“Belal! Did you say Leon? Did you say Leon, I think you did. Did
you say Rocky? Like Rocky Balboa…Bruh you eh! Oye! We want that
pay-per-view, we want that big money thing,” the Australian said
while recording on his phone.
Muhammad would have to score a unanimous decision victory over
Gilbert
Burns to earn his long overdue title shot. Meanwhile, Edwards
has twice defended his title since then, taking a majority decision
over Kamaru
Usman at UFC 286 and a unanimous verdict against Colby
Covington at UFC 296.
Muhammad is unbeaten in his last 10 outings, which includes two
finishes. Meanwhile, Edwards in undefeated in his last 13 bouts,
including three finishes.