Belal Muhammad, after becoming UFC welterweight champion by defeating Leon Edwards, joked about making Edwards wait three years for a rematch, expressed doubts about Edwards’ mental resilience and readiness for another title shot, and noted potential issues within Edwards’ team.
Just moments after he clinched the UFC welterweight championship, Belal Muhammad quipped about a potential rematch with Leon Edwards. He jested that he’d make Edwards wait at least three years before it happens.
That timeframe? It mirrors the long wait Muhammad endured for a second bout with Edwards. Their first encounter, which ended in a no-contest due to an eye poke, came together on short notice. Muhammad had to win five more fights before finally dominating Edwards over five rounds at UFC 304 in July.
Though he enjoyed the banter about the three-year gap, Muhammad knows they might meet again. Yet, he’s skeptical if Edwards will ever truly earn it.
“Skill-wise, he has what it takes,” Muhammad told MMA Fighting. “But it’s all about mentality.” He pointed out how some undefeated fighters struggle after their first loss.
“He hasn’t lost in eight years,” Muhammad continued. “Now, it’s about how he bounces back mentally.”
Physically? Sure, Edwards has the attributes and skills. But when you look at the current lineup, Muhammad has already beaten many top contenders.
“So Leon could get one big win and possibly get back in the mix,” he added.
Edwards hasn’t booked another fight since losing his title. He did mention wanting to compete before the end of 2024.
Muhammad is also eyeing his next move. A showdown with undefeated contender Shavkat Rakhmonov is on the horizon, though nothing is official yet.
Regardless, Muhammad is open to facing Edwards again if he earns it. But he’s not convinced it will happen.
He points to their July rematch as a major hurdle for Edwards’ confidence. “That was your home soil,” Muhammad said about the Manchester card. “The crowd was there for you. You were supposed to walk through me.”
“You said it was going to be easy,” he added. “That’s embarrassing.”
Now, Edwards has to decide what he wants to do with his life. Does he still have the hunger?
Muhammad also noticed tensions within Edwards’ team during their fight. Unlike Edwards’ stunning comeback against Kamaru Usman, there wasn’t the same fiery motivation this time around.
“It all comes back mentally,” Muhammad reiterated. “I don’t know if him and his coach are going to have a breakup party now.”
“There’s a lot of turmoil there,” he noted.
“So I feel like there’s going to be a lot of blame and embarrassment from that team,” Muhammad concluded. “A lot just embarrassment from [Edwards].”