While Belal
Muhammad is the most logical opponent for Leon
Edwards’ next title defense, the champ’s coach Dave Lovell
would prefer Gilbert
Burns.
Edwards (22-3) defended his strap in a dominant decision win
against Colby
Covington (17-4) at UFC 296 last weekend. Many believe
Muhammad, who is unbeaten in his last outings, deserved the shot
over Covington, who hadn’t fought since March 2022.
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While Muhammad weighed in as the backup fighter for UFC 296,
Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White wasn’t clear about
Muhammad receiving the next welterweight title shot during his
post-fight comments.
Interestingly, Edwards’ coach Lovell would like for his pupil to
face Gilbert
Burns, whom Muhammad defeated via an emphatic decision in May.
While Lovell knows it’s unlikely to come about, he believes
“Durinho” presents a more marketable fight than Muhammad, who has
often been criticized for being a decision fighter.
“Dana didn’t announce that it would be Belal so we’re just as
bewildered as you. If it’s Belal, so be it. We’ve had a feel of him
already. We know what he’s about. He has improved. If it’s Belal,
it’s Belal. But you never know with these people. Shavkat
[Rakhmonov], he had the foot injury so I don’t think he’d be ready
for April, maybe not. Belal would be ready to go, but will Belal
and Leon really be a big pay-per-view? You’ve got to look at it
from the business point of view.”
“Who else could we go for? Preference? Let’s put it real, Belal’s
earned his place, hasn’t he? Even though he still hasn’t done what
Leon did, go through the tribulations Leon did, but he’s earned
himself his contendership. To be honest, if I really had the
choice, but I don’t think it will happen, I would like Leon to
fight [Gilbert] Burns. I think Burns wants to have a couple more
before he’s a contender for Leon but if I had a choice who would be
next, I would prefer Burns over Belal because I think Burns brings
more to the table than Belal,” Lovell said on “The MMA Hour.”
Responding to Lovell’s comments, Muhammad wrote on X (formerly
known as Twitter):
“So, this is how Leon learns his ducking technique”
Further reminding White of his promise, Muhammad wrote in a follow-up tweet:
“Leon’s opinion doesn’t matter.. his coach doesn’t matter ..the
only person I care about is Dana and he gave me his word.. that’s
all that matters … we’re next and the fact that they’re showing
fear only gives me more confidence ..you should be afraid”
Both Edwards and Muhammad’s long win streaks are only marred by
their initial outing ending in a no-contest after an accidental eye
poke from “Rocky” back in 2021. Meanwhile, Burns has just been
booked against Jack
Della Maddalena for UFC 299 on March 9.