Matchmaker Tai Tuivasa knew the Leon Edwards vs Belal Muhammad rematch was bound to happen in 2022 😂
#UFC304 pic.twitter.com/krDISwJMao
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma)
July 22, 2024
Tai Tuivasa thought Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad would meet again long before the rematch was even confirmed.
Muhammad will challenge Edwards for the welterweight title on Saturday in the main event of UFC 304 at the Coop Live Arena in Manchester, England. The two fighters have unfinished business since their first meeting in the main event of UFC Fight Night 187 in 2021. That bout unfortunately ended in a no contest due to an accidental eye poke by Edwards.
With that being the only blemish on his recent winning streak, Muhammad and Edwards were clearly destined to clash. Edwards scored a shocking upset win over Kamaru Usman with a head kick KO to claim the title at UFC 278 in August 2022, while Muhammad defeated previously unbeaten Shawn Brady via second-round TKO a few months later at UFC 280. Afterwards, Muhammad demanded a fight against Edwards, but Edwards already had a rematch scheduled with Usman.
UFC 304: Edwards vs. Muhammad airs Saturday at 10 PM ET on ESPN+. Order yours now! Tuivasa caught up with Muhammad and Edwards outside the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, where they were watching UFC 280. “Bam Bam,” who had apparently had a few shots at the time, attempted to set up a rematch between Muhammad and Edwards on the spot.
“Belal! Did you say Leon? You said Leon. Did you say Rocky? Like Rocky Balboa… come on, you guys! Come on! We want the pay-per-view, we want the big money,” the Australian said, recording on his cellphone.
Muhammad needs to win a unanimous decision over Gilbert Burns to get his long-awaited title shot, while Edwards has defended the title twice since, winning by majority decision over Kamaru Usman at UFC 286 and by unanimous decision over Colby Covington at UFC 296.
Muhammad is undefeated in his last 10 fights, with two of them coming by finish, while Edwards is undefeated in his last 13 fights, with three of them coming by finish.
