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Report – Belal Muhammad denied title fight with Leon Edwards at UFC 300, received no offer

Surging welterweight contender, Belal Muhammad was reportedly not in the running to fight former foe, incumbent divisional champion, Leon…

Surging welterweight contender, Belal Muhammad was reportedly not in the running to fight former foe, incumbent divisional champion, Leon Edwards at UFC 300 in April – despite the fact the Birmingham native received up to three offers of potential opponents for the flagship card.

Muhammad, who currently sits at number two in the official welterweight rankings, is currently in the midst of a 10 fight unbeaten run, most recently turning in a one-sided unanimous decision win over former title challenger, Gilbert Burns last May in an officially billed championship eliminator over the course of five rounds.

And part of that run saw Muhammad fight to an eventual second round official ‘No Contest’ against Team Renegade BJJ & MMA staple, Edwards – after the former was struck with an inadvertent eye poke.

Over the course of the weekend in the immediate aftermath of UFC 298, promotional boss, Dana White revealed Edwards had accepted three separate offers of differing opponents for a return at UFC 300 – ultimately to no avail.

Belal Muhammad denied title fight with Leon Edwards at UFC 300

However, despite his winning streak, history with Edwards and status in the official rankings, according to The Schmo, Illinois native, Muhammad received no offer to rematch the British champion at UFC 300 in April.

“Can confirm Belal Muhammad was NOT one of the 3 fighters offered to Leon Edwards for #UFC300.” The Schmo posted on his official X account.

Staking his claim for a championship effort against Edwards in the form of a rematch after his win over Burns, back in December, Muhammad was denied a title fight by the incumbent gold holder – who questioned what he had done to earn a shot at his championship.

“Nah, there are definitely other options,” Leon Edwards said after UFC 296. “I don’t feel like Belal (Muhammad) should be next. I’ve done it before. I’ve won like 10 fights and didn’t get a title shot. So, what makes him different or more privileged.”

“So, Colby’s (Covington) already skipped the line already, let’s see who’s next,” Leon Edwards explained. “But like I said, this is the ‘Rocky’ era, it’s my era now and I’ll keep reigning, whoever’s next. It doesn’t matter, they’re all similar styles anyways. All boxers and wrestlers, it’s what I’ve built my career on. So, whoever comes next, it’s whatever, you know.”

Who do you think Belal Muhammad should fight in his UFC comeback?

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Leon Edwards is ‘top choice’ for UFC 300 main event, DDP vs. Adesanya also rumored

Ariel Helwani dropped a potential bombshell on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour, revealing that the UFC is frantically…

Ariel Helwani dropped a potential bombshell on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour, revealing that the UFC is frantically working to put together a welterweight title clash between reigning champion Leon Edwards and undefeated Chechen monster Khamzat Chimaev for the UFC 300 main event.

After making a series of fast and furious announcements regarding April 13th’s massive landmark event in Las Vegas, UFC CEO Dana White has gone radio silent. According to Helwani, the promotion knows which fight they want to announce for the highly anticipated headliner, but securing Chimaev’s entry into the United States is becoming increasingly difficult.

“If the UFC had their way… If they could snap their fingers and make the biggest fight in their mind happen — and the fight that they’ve been working on happen — and have their say as to what is the main event for UFC 300, I think that they would make Leon Edwards vs. Khamzat Chimaev. I believe when Dana White is talking bout the hurdles and the issues, I believe that’s about securing Khamzat’s ability to fight in the United States.

“This has been rumored for quite some time that he has issues coming over to the States. The last time he fought here was in Jacksonville almost two years ago. I believe that’s been part of the holdup. If they can’t secure that matchup, I believe they would look at Khamzat vs. [Dricus Du Plessis], but I think the top choice is Leon vs. Khamzat.”

Ariel Helwani: I think that the top choice is Leon vs. Khamzat. This could all fizzle out and I think we'll find out in the next few days. But I believe that is the top choice at the moment.

I also believe those other 3 fights are at play as well. Leon/Belal, Izzy/DDP and… pic.twitter.com/rikpr2Chze

— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) February 12, 2024

Chimaev’s struggles to obtain a temporary work visa could be related to his close relationship with the Head of the Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov. Frequently employing totalitarian and repressive tactics in his rule, Kadyrov has come under criticism for a wide array of human rights abuses, including forced disappearance, torture, assassinations, and anti-gay purges in his country. He has also played a role in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The UFC is circling multiple potential headliners for April 13

Depending on how things play out with Khamzat Chimaev, the UFC has a few contingency plans in place according to Helwani. Aside from the heavily rumored middleweight title tilt between the newly crowned king of the division — Dricus Du Plessis — and former two-time champ Israel Adesanya, the UFC is also keeping a potential 170-pound showdown between Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad in its back pocket.

We will go out on a limb and say that Edwards vs. Muhammad is likely the least enticing option for both the promotion and the fans. Of course, the prospect of Khamzat Chimaev’s return to welterweight will certainly raise some eyebrows. After all, the last time he was scheduled to compete in the weight class, he stepped on the scale eight pounds over the limit.

Which potential headliner would you most be excited to see at UFC 300?

Belal Muhammad draws comparisons to Khabib Nurmagomedov ahead of UFC 300 fight: ‘He’s the closest person to him’

Expected to make his return to the Octagon at UFC 300 in April in a championship rematch with undisputed…

Expected to make his return to the Octagon at UFC 300 in April in a championship rematch with undisputed gold holder, Leon Edwards, surging welterweight contender, Belal Muhammad has been compared to Khabib Nurmagomedov – in terms of the pair’s wrestling styles, in particular.

Muhammad, the current number two ranked welterweight contender, has been teased as a potential opponent for former-foe, Edwards at UFC 300 in April – in the form of a championship rematch between the two, following an initial clash two years prior.

Earning his championship tilt back in May at UFC 288, Illinois native, Muhammad landed a dominant shutout decision win over former title chaser, Gilbert Burns over the course of five rounds, extending his unbeaten run to 10 consecutive fights.

Belal Muhammad compared to Khabib Nurmagomedov

And ahead of his first-ever championship excursion later this opening quarter, Muhammad, who is set to train with lightweight kingpin, Islam Makhachev ahead of UFC 300, has drawn comparisons to the Russian’s coach and former lightweight titlleholder, Nurmagomedov, by former champion, Henry Cejudo.

“It’s going to be a great, competitive fight,” Henry Cejudo said on his YouTube channel. “Stylistically, the way that Belal Muhammad – what he did to Gilbert Burns and how he did it to him, he’s only gotten better. I will say this: The closest person to a guy like Khabib Nurmagomedov, his name is actually Belal Muhammad.”

“They do the same kind of cross steps,” Cejudo explained. “They kind of run and shoot. They do the same kind of feints with that lead hand to eventually level change for the takedown.”

And whilst Muhammad is widely expected to fight Edwards at UFC 300 later this year, speculation has been rife earlier this week regarding a potential drafting into the fold of former two-time title chaser, Jorge Masvidal – who confirmed he is “unretired” from combat sports at the beginning of this month, having called time on his tenure just 8 months ago.

WIll Belal Muhammad land a title fight win over Leon Edwarda at UFC 300?

Jorge Masvidal tipped to snap retirement in title fight with Leon Edwards at UFC 300: ‘It’s all based off marketing’

Despite reports earlier this week detailing how incumbent welterweight champion, Leon Edwards is in line to defend his divisional…

Despite reports earlier this week detailing how incumbent welterweight champion, Leon Edwards is in line to defend his divisional strap in a rematch against foe, Belal Muhammad at UFC 300 in an April return – the recent retirement u-turn of long-time rival, Jorge Masvidal, may throw a certain spanner into the works, according to an ex-two-weight champion.

Edwards, the current undisputed welterweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 296 just last month in Las Vegas, Nevada, landing a unanimous decision win over former interim gold holder, Colby Covington in the pair’s long-anticipated grudge fight.

And in the weeks following his win, Birmingham native is already eyeing up a UFC 300 feature in April – confirming his expected return on the card in a busy start to his 2024 fighting schedule.

Furthermore, reports during the week revealed that despite initial talks of a championship siege for Shavkat Rakhmonov at the event, Edwards is likely set to fight surging welterweight contender and prior opponent, Muhammad in a title rematch in April.

Jorge Masvidal tipped for UFC 300 comeback in title siege

However, a prior rival from Edwards’ past may enter the title fray according to former two-weight gold holder, Henry Cejudo, who pointed to the potential shoo-in entry of former title chaser, Jorge Masvidal into a blockbuster UFC 300 championship picture against the U.K. star.

“Jorge Masvidal just unretired… I think he still has that chip on his shoulder,” Cejudo said on his YouTube channel. “He’s probably chasing [a fight with] Leon. You know what they’re [the UFC] probably thinking? ‘We’re probably gonna exit out Belal Muhammad and give Jorge Masvdial that three piece and a soda, and give him the opportunity to eventually fight Leon Edwards.’”

“…The UFC is a damn entertainment company,” Cejudo continued. “[And] for that reason, I think Jorge Masvidal comess back and he legit fights for the title. If Belal can not make a storyline or build something or get people behind him – Dana White, and Hunter Campbell – it’s all based on marketing.”

Do you expect Jorge Masvidal to make his return to the Octagon at UFC 300?

Belal Muhammad to train with Islam Makhachev in Dagestan ahead of UFC 300 title fight against Leon Edwards

Belal Muhammad is heading to Dagestan as he prepares for his long-awaited UFC welterweight title clash with reigning world…

Belal Muhammad is heading to Dagestan as he prepares for his long-awaited UFC welterweight title clash with reigning world champion Leon Edwards.

‘Remember the Name’ recently retweeted an image of himself with Islam Makhachev at an airport whilst preparing to leave for Dagestan. Belal Muhammad will soon head to Dagestan to prepare for his title fight against Leon Edwards,” the caption read.

“It’s over for Leon, Belal is the next champ!” UFC featherweight standout Mosvar Evloev replied in the comments.

Of course, Dagestan is the home of current lightweight king Islam Makhachev, his predecessor, UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, and a slew of other notable talents who have taken the MMA world by storm. Mixing the smothering style of Dagestani wrestling with his already impressive grappling prowess could turn Muhammad into the biggest threat to Edwards’ reign thus far.

Though no official announcements have been made, ‘Rocky’ recently revealed that he was preparing to put his title on the line for the third time at the promotion’s next big milestone event, UFC 300, on April 13.

“I will defend my belt in April at UFC 300,” Edwards said while speaking to reporters at Villa Park on December 30. “Then hopefully in the summertime get a fight back home in Birmingham. I’m in talks with the UFC, so hopefully we can get it done.”

Three fights have been formally announced for UFC 300. Edwards vs. Muhammad would be the first, and thus far, only title fight slated for the historic event. Still, the card is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated nights in promotional history.

Belal Muhammad vs. Leon Edwards – Welterweight World Title Fight (Rumored)
Jiri Prochazka vs. Aleksandar Rakic – Light Heavyweight
Aljamain Sterling vs. Calvin Kattar – Featherweight
Bo Nickal vs. Cody Brundage – Middleweight

Leon Edwards ‘Well within reach’ of welterweight GOAT status according to UFC play-By-Play man Jon Anik

Leon Edwards couldn’t ask for a better start to his welterweight title reign. Since claiming the 170-pound crown with…

Leon Edwards couldn’t ask for a better start to his welterweight title reign.

Since claiming the 170-pound crown with “the kick heard around the world” at UFC 278, ‘Rocky’ has scored back-to-back wins against Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington, two of the most dangerous men in the division’s illustrious history. Next on the docket for Edwards appears to be a rematch No. 2 ranked contender, Belal Muhammad.

The pair previously matched up in 2021, but the bout was cut short after an accidental eye poke from Edwards rendered ‘Remember the Name’ unable to continue. Neither the UFC nor Edwards himself appears overly thrilled with the idea of putting Muhammad into the title picture, but play-by-play man Jon Anik believes the bout will play a pivotal role in building the Brit’s legacy as the welterweight division’s greatest of all time.

“I’m not necessarily surprised,” Anik said in an interview with Bodog Canada. “It’s not Leon Edwards’ job as undisputed UFC welterweight champion to lay the foundation for his next title defense. Certainly, if his aspiration is to go down as the greatest welterweight champion of all time — and by the way that is well within reach when you just beat Kamaru Usman twice and then Colby Covington. If that’s the goal, he should want to take out and beat all of these guys.

“I think you need to marry the financial goals with the career-aspirational goals,” he continued. “I mean, he’s a Hall of Famer first ballot, but to go down potentially as the greatest welterweight of all time, if Belal Muhammad is indeed easy work, I think that fight makes a lot of sense” (h/t MMA Mania).

Unbeaten in his last 10 outings, Muhammad has made a very strong case for receiving his first title shot. Despite that, the promotion has remained reluctant in dubbing him as the next man in line. Last stepping inside the Octagon in May 2023, ‘Bully B’ scored a decisive decision victory over one-time title challenger Gilbert Burns.

If Belal Muhammad is not next for Leon Edwards, then who?

Aside from Muhammad, the next best option is undefeated sensation Shavkat Rakhmonov who delivered a show-stealing performance against Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson at the promotion’s final pay-per-view event of the year.

Unfortunately, ‘Nomad’ is currently nursing an ankle injury leaving only one other option in Anik’s eyes.

“Khamzat Chimaev is the only man who can lay claim to a Welterweight title shot right now, as far as I’m concerned, other than Belal Muhammad, and he’s not competing at the weight class,” Anik said. “Belal has one of these unbeaten streaks like all of the champions do, and he doesn’t get any pound-for-pound consideration. I just think we have to restore a little bit of order, and I do think the UFC is going to make the right decision here.”