Belal Muhammad plans to wait and fight the winner of Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington for the UFC welterweight title.
On May 6, Muhammad defeated Gilbert Burns by unanimous decision in a short-notice fight at UFC 288. The 35-year-old’s latest Octagon appearance extended his winning streak to nine, with the last five being separated by a no-contest against Leon Edwards.
Muhammad attempted to secure a title shot following his win against Burns. Instead, the UFC booked Edwards to defend his 170-pound throne against Colby Covington in the UFC 296 main event on December 16.
During a recent interview with Michael Bisping and his UFC on TNT Sports co-hosts, Belal Muhammad was asked what he plans to do next. The number two-ranked UFC welterweight responded by saying:
“I’m waiting, man. The title fight is up in December. There’s nobody else for me to fight. We were like in talks for [Kamaru] Usman, he ended up fighting [Khamzat] Chimaev. So, there’s nobody else. I have five top-ten wins. What else do you want me to do to get his title fight?”
Belal Muhammad reveals who he wants to win between Edwards and Covington
In March 2021, Belal Muhammad and Leon Edwards were matched up in the UFC Vegas 21 main event as top welterweight contenders. Edwards won the first round before landing an illegal eye poke in the first twenty seconds of round two, leading to a no-contest.
Since then, Muhammad has sought a rematch against Edwards to determine who’s better, especially now that ‘Rocky’ is the UFC welterweight champion.
During the previously mentioned interview with Michael Bisping and UFC on TNT Sports, Belal Muhammad was asked who he wants to win between Edwards and Colby Covington, assuming he will be fighting the winner. Muhammad responded by saying:
“I want Leon [Edwards]…I go out there, I beat him, he has the longest winning streak, I have the second longest winning streak. So, that’s the one I want. Especially with unfinished business that we have…I want that one back.”
Belal Muhammad was later asked if he is the official backup fighter for the UFC 296 main event. ‘Remember The Name’ had this to say:
“I’m in camp, I’m training no matter what. Look at the last two big cards, Abu Dhabi, they had to change the event. Over here [in New York], they had to change the main event. I’m staying ready because you never know what’s going to happen in this sport. So, regardless of if they want me to be there or not, I’m going to weigh in.”
Colby Covington was awarded a UFC welterweight title shot after weighing in as the backup for the rematch between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman in March.
The decision led to backlash, as numerous fans and fighters voiced their opinions about Covington not deserving the opportunity since his last fight was a unanimous decision win against Jorge Masvidal in January 2022.
Nonetheless, Covington has a chance to end Edwards’ eleven-fight win streak when they meet inside the T-Mobile Arena in December.
Watch Belal Muhammad talk about the UFC 296 main event below:
Belal Muhammad wants to settle 'unfinished business' with Leon Edwards and will weigh-in at #UFC296 🏆#UFC295 | Saturday | LIVE on TNT Sports 1 & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/4nbRPSikKI
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) November 10, 2023
