Dana White has not yet announced the main and co-main event for UFC 304, scheduled for July 27 in Manchester, England. However, rumors suggest two titles will be on the line at the Co-op Live. As such, Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad will likely be the main event. Muhammad had already started his training with an elite group.
Dana White had revealed recently that Muhammad was next for Edwards. However, the UFC offered three fighters for Edwards to headline UFC 300, none of them were Muhammad. Recently, commentator Jon Anik hinted that Muhammad would fight Edwards in Manchester. Now, Muhammad is training with Team Khabib, as evidenced by his social media post, hinting that the fight announcement is coming.
Back in the lions den.
Belal Muhammad via X
Muhammad has trained with Team Khabib for his fight against Sean Brady at UFC 280. Moreover, Khabib Nurmagomedov was in the corner for him in the fight. Muhammad became the first person to defeat Brady via second-round TKO. More recently, he was the backup fighter when Edwards faced Colby Covington at UFC 296.
Islam Makhachev is in the main event of the upcoming UFC 302 PPV in Newark. As such, he arrived in the USA with his team, and Muhammad utilized it for his potential title fight. Muhammad has a history with Leon Edwards, as their first fight ended in a No Contest. However, Edwards has never shown interest in a rematch despite the inconclusive result.
Welterweight contender reveals Leon Edwards’ hesitance for Belal Muhammad rematch
Leon Edwards fought Belal Muhammad in the main event of UFC Vegas 21. Edwards comfortably won the first round, but the referee stopped the fight after Muhammad couldn’t continue after an eye poke from Edwards.
Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad (via DAZN)Edwards won against Nate Diaz in his next fight and subsequently won the title from Kamaru Usman, defending it twice. Nonetheless, Edwards and his team have not entertained the idea of a rematch. Welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley revealed why it is so on his podcast.
Things change after you get that belt. I don’t think he wants to be the person that known and lost to Belal Muhammad and lost that title. Because, out of all the sh*t…Out of all the shit that Ni**a Leon [Edwards] took, he’s going to take more sh*t if he loses that belt to Belal.
Joaquin Buckley via Brick Brothers podcast
Buckley had trolled Edwards in the past as he made flyers, which many found in the parking lot of the UFC 300 venue. He recently defeated Nursulton Ruziboev in the co-main event of UFC St. Louis and hilariously called out Conor McGregor. With two more victories, Buckley can become the next title challenger at welterweight against either Muhammad, Edwards or Shavkat Rakhmonov.
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