According to UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards, any talk of a bitter feud heading into this weekend’s main event is entirely on the side of Belal Muhammad.
Edwards is set to defend his title on home soil for the second time and third time overall since winning it from Kamaru Usman in dramatic fashion almost two years ago in Salt Lake City.
Having gotten the better of Usman in their trilogy fight in London last year and stalled Colby Covington’s ambitions in Las Vegas nine months later, “Rocky” will now put his gold on the line in the city of Manchester.
He’s set to headline the UFC 304 pay-per-view opposite a familiar foe in Muhammad, whom he previously faced back in 2021. Ever since that bout ended in a no contest, they’ve appeared to have a distinct dislike for one another.
But although “Remember the Name” continues to admit as much, Edwards insists Muhammad is just another opponent…
Edwards Dismisses Claims Of Bitter Feud With Muhammad
During a fight week interview with Adam Catterall for TNT Sports, Edwards looked ahead to his second dance in the cage with Muhammad.
Both men have exchanged verbal jabs in the lead-up to UFC 304, but when it comes to actual bad blood and disdain, the champ claims it is entirely a one-way street.
“I’m not overlooking him one bit. He has gone out there and put the work in. … You have to take him serious. I just truly believe I am the best fighter,” Edwards said. “I believe that I am better than him on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, (Thursday), Friday; it doesn’t matter. I am the better fighter.
“I’ll go out Saturday night and prove that. That’s all it is. There’s no bad blood between us, there’s nothing else,” Edwards continued. “For him, he’s making up some scenario in his head where he hates me and blah, blah, blah. But, for me, he’s just another guy that’s in my way of this goal I’m trying to achieve in my life…that’s it.”
While he may not be motivated by the same level of hatred as his challenger is, Edwards no doubt has plenty to fight for.
In addition to keeping the welterweight gold in his possession and moving closer to Georges St-Pierre’s record for title defenses in the division, a victory would further boost “Rocky’s” chances of securing a shot at the middleweight belt down the line.
Too close for comfort
An unexpected staredown before #UFC304 pic.twitter.com/R1PvABnFmg
— UFC (@ufc) July 24, 2024
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