Wake up Manchester, your UFC 304 main event is finally on.
It’s anytime, anywhere for top contender Belal Muhammad, who travels to enemy territory to fight Leon Edwards at 5AM in the morning. Muhammad hasn’t lost in his last 10 fights to reach title contention with the only bump in the road to gold being a no-contest result against Edwards back in 2021. Edwards poked Muhammad in the eye in the second round of their five-round fight with the Chicago-native not being able to continue.
Three years later, they’ll meet again for the welterweight title.
One of two English UFC Champions, Edwards defends the belt for a third time after getting past former champ Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington.
The UFC 304 headliner takes place from the Co-op in Manchester, England – live on pay-per-view.
Round 1:
Muhammad pours the pressure on Edwards early, taking down Edwards to the ground with style points. Muhammad keeps Edwards grounded, landing a few punches before Edwards postures up to his feet. Edwards gets control in the clinch. Edwards clips Muhammad with a sharp elbow. Edwards knee’s to the body and then fires a leg kick. Body kick from Edwards. Muhammad eats an uppercut from Edwards. Jab lands for Muhammad. Muhammad clips the champ with a hook. Muhammad goes to work in the striking department before level changing into a takedown. Muhammad lands some ground and pound until the round ends.
Christopher De Santiago scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad
Round 2:
Muhammad clips Edwards with a punch to start the round. Body kick lands for Edwards. Leg kick for Edwards. Muhammad jabs the champ. Muhammad keeps finding a home for his jab and then attempts a takedown, which Edwards defends up against the cage. Muhammad manages to get Edwards down to the ground less than two minutes into the round. Edwards gets back up before being slammed down to the canvas by Muhammad on his head. Edward gets down to a knee and Muhammad goes right back to work, snagging another takedown. Muhammad continues to control Edwards against the cage. Edwards turns it around, finishing the round with some control on the ground and the back of Muhammad.
Christopher De Santiago scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad
Round 3:
Leg kick and then headkick attempt by Edwards. Muhammad switches levels for a takedown almost seamlessly. Edwards reverses position, looking for a takedown on the challenger. Edwards finally gets it, securing the back of Muhammad with a body triangle. Edwards doesn’t do too much with the position besides control with the fighters inching closer and closer to the cage. Edwards hits Muhammad with an elbow. Edwards finishes the round with Muhammad inside this position.
Christopher De Santiago scores the round: 10-9 Edwards
Round 4:
Muhammad presses forward. Headkick by Edwards. Edwards clips Muhammad with punches. Muhammad pumps out the jab with an uppercut from Muhammad. Muhammad closes the distance, grabbing a takedown on Edwards. Muhammad gets back control on the champ. Muhammad maintains position, landing a few shots on the grounded Edwards. Edwards reverses position with 30 seconds left in the round. Edwards lands a few punches on Muhammad as he attempts to get back to his feet.
Christopher De Santiago scores the round: 10-9 Muhammad
Round 5:
Edwards and Muhammad exchange shots on the feet. Edwards stuffs a takedown from Muhammad. Muhammad pushes the pace, tagging Edwards with strikes before attempting another takedown. Edwards is able to stay upright for a moment with Muhammad being able to get the back of Edwards on the ground. Muhammad wraps the body triangle around the waist of Edwards. Muhammad tries to stay busy with ground and pound shots. With a sense of urgency in the final minute, Edwards manages to reverse position and cuts up Muhammad with a sharp elbow. Edwards fires another elbow and then another, leaving Muhammad’s face all bloody. Edwards gives it his all to finish the fight but it’s too late as the final bell rings.
Christopher De Santiago scores the round: 10-9 Edwards (writer’s score: 48-47 Muhammad)
Official result: Belal Muhammad defeats Leon Edwards by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) – wins UFC Welterweight Championship
Check out the highlights below:
https://x.com/ufc/status/1817419151817818455
https://x.com/ufc/status/1817423644601045207
https://x.com/ufc/status/1817428486027456875
