Ahead of his first-ever Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) headlining act against Leon Edwards at UFC Vegas 21 on Sat. March 13, Belal Muhammad will be without his longtime head coach, Louis Taylor, after he tested positive for COVID-19 according to ESPN.
It’s a tough blow for Muhammad given the fact that Taylor has been his head trainer since day one, and this will be the first time he competes without him by his side.
“He’s my head coach, he is literally the one who got me into fighting,” said Muhammad. “He was my high school wrestling coach. He brought me from the ground up. He’s like my older brother, mentor. He’s staying and quarantining out here, just in case I need anything. I’m going to look through his window and put my hand up, keep that energy close.”
Muhammad stepped in on short notice to face “Rocky” in the main event after Khamzat Chimaev was forced out of the fight for the second time as a result of ongoing complications from coronavirus.
It will also be a quick turnaround for “Bully,” who recently scored his fourth straight win after defeating Dhiego Lima after UFC 258 on Feb. 13, 2021. The main event scrap will be Edwards’ first fight in over a year and a half because his return was delayed time after time, also as a result of COVID-19.
To see the updated UFC Vegas 21 fight card click here.