Belal Muhammad provided a positive update about his next fight potentially being against Leon Edwards for the UFC welterweight title.
‘Remember The Name’ last fought in May 2023, defeating Gilbert Burns by unanimous decision for his ninth consecutive win (one no-contest). Considering Kamaru Usman, ranked number one, is riding a three-fight losing streak, Muhammad is widely considered the most deserving of the next welterweight title shot.
With that said, months have gone by and Muhammad still hasn’t received the call. Fans have speculated that the 35-year-old could be getting passed for the opportunity, as the promotion reportedly offered the next title shot to three other fighters for UFC 300 (Islam Makhachev, Shavkat Rakhmonov, and Khamzat Chimaev).
Muhammad recently did an interview on MMA Today and had this to say when asked for an update about his next fight:
“I feel like something’s going to happen soon. I’m staying positive with it. I know that there’s rumblings of this Manchester card coming up. I don’t even care where, I don’t care the location. I just want a contract with his name on it and a five-round title fight.”
Listen to Muhammad discuss potentially fighting Edwards below:
"I don't care location. I just want a contract with his name on it, and a 5 round title fight, please."
Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) sheds some light on the status of a title fight against Leon Edwards
Source: MMA Today w/@AndreasHale & @AlanJouban pic.twitter.com/FuFPgMriGC
— MMA on SiriusXM (@MMAonSiriusXM) March 20, 2024
Belal Muhammad doesn’t believe Leon Edwards was offered three other opponents for UFC 300
As previously mentioned, Belal Muhammad wasn’t one of the three fighters offered an opportunity to face Leon Edwards at UFC 300. The situation could be seen as disrespectful toward ‘Remember The Name,’ as he’s arguably the most deserving fighter of the next welterweight title shot.
Muhammad responded by saying this during his appearance on MMA Today:
“If I’m being honest, I don’t really buy the whole ‘we offered him three fights.’ I know they offered it to Islam [Makhachev], and I know that Islam turned it down. I don’t buy that they offered it to Shavkat [Rakhmonov] because Shavkat was hurt, and I don’t think buy that they offered it to Khamzat [Chimaev] because he ain’t making weight.”
Muhammad continued:
“So, for me, I think it was more so to hype up the Leon thing. Leon doesn’t go on social media, he doesn’t do interviews, he doesn’t hype himself up. So, Dana White is a promoter, he has to promote a guy to be like, ‘Yo, this guy’s a killer, he said yes to every single fight. If they really wanted him on [UFC] 300, if they wanted Leon Edwards on 300, they knew they could’ve called me. I would’ve said yes. It just tells me they didn’t really want him on 300 or Leon is a hard guy to deal with.”
It should be noted that Belal Muhammad has a history with the UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards. They first fought as top contenders in March 2021. At the start of round two, Edwards accidentally eye-poked Muhammad, ending the fight with an unfortunate no-contest. ‘Remember The Name’ looks to right the wrong later this year in a rematch.
Watch White talk about Edwards accepting three fights for UFC 300 below:
Dana White says Leon Edwards was offered three opponents for UFC 300 and said yes to all of them.
"Was willing to take on anybody. Kid's an absolute stud. Leon, thank you. Much respect." pic.twitter.com/nDaX7Sm3od
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) February 18, 2024
