Belal Muhammad delivered a stunning performance to defeat Leon Edwards and capture the welterweight title at UFC 304 in Manchester. The 36-year-old American dominated the fight, out-grappling the 32-year-old Briton to win by unanimous decision. This victory ended Edwards’ impressive 12-fight win streak and significantly dampened the atmosphere at the Co-op Live arena.
The bout held particular significance as it followed a controversial 2021 encounter that ended in a no-contest due to an accidental eye poke by Edwards. This time, the match started at 05:30 BST to accommodate American viewers, which affected Edwards’ performance. “Not surprising, my body just felt tired from round one,” Edwards said in his post-fight interview. “All week I’ve felt tired. Congratulations to Belal, we will be back.”
The fight, one of the largest UFC events held on English soil and the first at the 23,500-capacity arena, featured two Britons in title fights. The early morning start time led fighters, especially Edwards, to adjust their body clocks on the UFC’s advice. Muhammad, who entered the bout unbeaten in his last 10 fights, embraced his role as the antagonist throughout fight week. He danced and joked with his team during his walkout, despite receiving loud boos from the crowd.
From the beginning, Muhammad showcased his grappling skills, securing a takedown early in the fight. Edwards, who previously defended his title against strong wrestlers like Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington, struggled against Muhammad’s relentless grappling. In the third round, Edwards managed a takedown and attempted a rear-naked choke, but Muhammad defended well. The American regained control in the fourth round with effective jabs and another takedown, maintaining his dominance on the ground.
The final round saw Muhammad continue his strategy, securing another takedown and controlling the action. Despite the crowd’s efforts to rally Edwards, it was clear that Muhammad was on his way to victory. Muhammad celebrated his win with his family, dedicating the victory to them and to Palestine. “It sounds like all of the people booing have got a lot of tears coming out of their eyes,” he said. “I’ve got my family in here. God first, always. This fight is for my family, my people, and for Palestine.”
Edwards, experiencing his first loss since 2015, expressed his readiness to return to action soon. “One more this year, November or December I’m ready to go,” he stated. Belal Muhammad’s victory over Leon Edwards marks a significant moment in his career, establishing him as a formidable force in the welterweight division. For Edwards, the loss serves as a challenging setback, but his determination to bounce back remains strong.
