Top welterweight contender Belal Muhammad has openly voiced his dissatisfaction with his ongoing struggle to secure a title fight against champion Leon Edwards.
Despite being a prime contender and Edwards having defended his title twice, Muhammad has yet to get his rematch. In a recent outburst during an interview with MiddleEasy, Muhammad didn’t hold back, accusing Edwards and his team of actively avoiding a rematch.
Belal Muhammad Expresses Frustration Over Elusive Title Shot Against Leon Edwards
“They’re like the fakest team I’ve ever seen in my life, I’ve never seen anybody lie so much or try to make it seem like they aren’t afraid. You had his brother call for a Conor McGregor fight. They’re coming up with every other reason to try to avoid me. It’s blatant. The fans are starting to see it now. You have his manager doing the same thing. You’re the champion of the world. If you’re the best fighter in the world, fight the best guy in the division that’s right behind you,” Muhammad stated, expressing his frustration over the situation.
Further fueling his determination, Muhammad spoke about his growing disdain for Edwards, which he plans to use to his advantage in their potential future bout.
“I have the longest winning streak in the division. I’m the one beating all these guys. I know I’m the best in the world, and he knows I’m the best in the world. I hate his guts. The Leon fight, they’re trying to avoid me. Him trying to act like downplaying my accomplishments and telling me I don’t deserve it, I never earned it – that stuff does nothing but piss me off. It’s fueling me with hatred for this guy, and I just can’t wait to get in there and get my hands on him.”
Check out Belal Muhammad’s full comments below (4:04):
Background of the Edwards-Muhammad Rivalry
The backstory of their rivalry dates back to 2021 when Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad headlined UFC Fight Night at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
The fight, however, ended unexpectedly in the second round when Edwards accidentally poked Muhammad in the eye, leaving him unable to continue and resulting in a no-contest.
This unresolved ending has only intensified the anticipation for a rematch, which has remained elusive. Both fighters have maintained their unbeaten streaks since their 2021 bout, adding more intrigue to their competitive rivalry.
Check out Leon Edwards’ eye poke on Belal Muhammad:
The ongoing saga between Muhammad and Edwards continues to unfold, with fight fans eagerly awaiting a conclusive battle between the two top welterweights.
