Sorry, no rematch for “Rocky.”
Belal Muhammad upset the mixed martial arts (MMA) world at UFC 304 last night (Sat., July 27, 2024) when he cruised to a clear unanimous decision over Leon Edwards to win the Welterweight championship from inside Co-Op Live in Manchester, England. Muhammad became the first fighter from Palestine to hold UFC gold.
During the UFC 304 post-fight press conference (watch here), Muhammad downplayed giving Edwards an immediate rematch because Edwards didn’t give him one.
“Yeah, I’ll give him a rematch in three years,” Muhammad told the media. “Let him work his way back up. I think it was a dominant fight, and there really is no need for a rematch. He didn’t have a long reign as a champion, where he is entitled to a rematch. For me, I came to his hometown, in front of his people, in enemy territory. So, it was a layup for him, but I blocked it.”
“Remember the name” refers to the fact that Edwards did not give him a rematch after their first fight ended with a nasty eye poke, and it took him three long years to get the rebooking.
Muhammad did welcome a fight with Shavkat Rakhmonov, Jack Della Maddalena, or Ian Garry.
.Shortly after the press conference, Muhammad took to Instagram to deliver one last blow to “Rocky” by posting a picture of him dropping Edwards on his head. And to top it all off, he wrote “headshot,” which has become Edwards’ phrase (he says ‘headshot dead’).
Muhammad is riding a 10-fight win streak and has not lost since 2019.
For complete UFC 304: “Edwards vs. Muhammad” results and play-by-play, click HERE!
