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

Belal Muhammad compared to Khabib Nurmagomedov dominance ahead of UFC 300 he's the closest 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.”

Report – Leon Edwards currently slated to rematch Belal Muhammad in title fight re-Run at uFC 300 in April

According to reports tonight, undisputed welterweight champion, Leon Edwards is currently slated to defend his divisional title in a…

According to reports tonight, undisputed welterweight champion, Leon Edwards is currently slated to defend his divisional title in a rematch against the surging number two ranked contender, Belal Muhammad at UFC 300. The flagship event is scheduled to take place on April 13. from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Edwards, the current undisputed welterweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 296 earlier this month in a title fight with Colby Covington, successfully defending his title for the second time with a one-sided unanimous decision win over the former interim champion.

As for Muhammad, the Illinois native – who weighed-in as an official backup for the headliner, has been sidelined since he landed a title-eliminator win over former title chaser, Gilbert Burns back in May at UFC 288 over the course of five rounds.

Clashing with Edwards back in 2021 at UFC Vegas 21, Muhammad suffered an unintentional eye poke midway through the second round of their main event clash, leaving him unable to continue and resulting in an official ‘No Contest’.

Leon Edwards expected to rematch Belal Muhammad at UFC 300

With the above-mentioned, Edwards confirming overnight at Villa Park how he would be featuring in quickfire turnaround at UFC 300, Ariel Helwani confirmed tonight that the Birmingham favorite is “currently slated” to fight Muhammad at the April event, amid talks of a fight with the unbeaten, Shavkat Rakhmonov.

“As he mentioned yesterday, the plan is for Leon Edwards to defend his title at UFC 300,” Helwani posted on his official X account. “As of now, the opponent slated to face him would be Belal Muhammad. Shavkat Rakhmonov definitely was in the mix, too.”

As he mentioned yesterday, the plan is for Leon Edwards to defend his title at UFC 300. As of now, the opponent slated to face him would be Belal Muhammad. Shavkat Rakhmonov definitely was in the mix, too.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) December 31, 2023

News of Edwards’ expected return against Muhammad at UFC 300 comes hot on the heels of an announcement from ex-two-weight champion, Conor McGregor – who ruled himself out an April return, by confirming a June 29. fight with former lightweight champion, Michael Chandler, at a surprising middleweight limit.

Who wins in a UFC 300 re-run: Leon Edwards or Belal Muhammad?

Belal Muhammad claims Leon Edwards is afraid to accept UFC title challenge, ‘Rocky’ snaps back: ‘That’s Easy work’

Fresh off his dominant performance against Colby Covington, reigning welterweight world champion Leon Edwards already appears to have his…

Fresh off his dominant performance against Colby Covington, reigning welterweight world champion Leon Edwards already appears to have his next opponent lined up and chomping at the bit to get his shot.

Following his unanimous decision W over ‘Chaos’ at the promotion’s final pay-per-view of the year, Leon Edwards’ head coach, Dave Lovell, told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour that he would prefer ‘Rocky’ to defend his title against Gilbert Burns next. That comment struck a chord with Belal Muhammad, who defeated Burns at UFC 288 and was all but guaranteed a shot at the 170-pound crown as a result.

Baffled by Lovell’s comments, ‘Remember the Name’ took to social media and accused Edwards of being scared.

“Leon’s opinion doesn’t matter.. his coach doesn’t matter ..the only person I care about is Dana and he gave me his word.. that’s all that matters … we’re next and the fact that they’re showing fear only gives me more confidence ..you should be afraid,” Muhammad wrote on X.

Leon’s opinion doesn’t matter.. his coach doesn’t matter ..the only person I care about is Dana and he gave me his word.. that’s all that matters … we’re next and the fact that they’re showing fear only gives me more confidence ..you should be afraid

— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) December 20, 2023

Leon Edwards Snaps Back

Edwards was also dismissive of a potential title tilt with Belal Muhammad at the UFC 296 post-fight press event, but in responding to Muhammad’s accusation online, ‘Rocky’ suggested that it was the promotion who had been denying him the shot at gold, not him.

“lol belal calm down son you’re the least intimidating person in the organisation. I already told UFC I don’t mind I’ll fight you next that’s easy work. You just have to figure out why they hate you so much,” Edwards wrote in response.

Belal Muhammad and Leon Edwards fought in March 2021, but their bout was ruled a no-contest after ‘Rocky’ accidentally poked Muhammad in the eye and rendered him unable to continue.

Muhammad is currently sitting on a nine-fight win streak with his last four victories coming against a variety of top-10 opponents, including Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson, Vicente Luque, Sean Brady, and Gilbert Burns. He was declared the No. 1 contender following his victory over ‘Durinho’ in May, but UFC CEO Dana White has not fully committed to declaring Muhammad as the next man in line.