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Leon Edwards Set for Title Defence Against Belal Muhammad
Leon Edwards is officially slated to defend his welterweight title in a rematch against Belal Muhammad. The highly anticipated championship bout is set to headline UFC 304 in Manchester, England, this summer, as confirmed by Dana White.
Main Event and Co-Main Event Details
Joining the main event is a co-main event featuring Tom Aspinall defending his interim heavyweight title against Curtis Blaydes. The fight card will also include a crucial flyweight matchup between Muhammad Mokaev and Manel Kape, an exciting featherweight clash between Arnold Allen and Giga Chikadze, and a lightweight showdown between Paddy Pimblett and Bobby Green.
Earlier in the week, UFC play-by-play commentator Jon Anik hinted at the Edwards vs. Muhammad showdown by announcing his flight booking to England for the July 27 event, tagging Muhammad in the post, indicating his participation on the card.
Previous Encounter and Fighter Background
The previous meeting between Edwards and Muhammad in March 2021 ended in an inconclusive manner due to an accidental eye poke that rendered Muhammad unable to continue. Since then, Edwards has maintained an impressive 4-0 record and solidified his place as a top welterweight in the UFC.
With notable victories over Nate Diaz, Kamaru Usman, and Colby Covington, Edwards has showcased his dominance in the division. On the other hand, Muhammad has proven himself with wins over Demian Maia, Stephen Thompson, and Gilbert Burns, positioning himself as a deserving title contender.
Championship Contention
Although there were other contenders in the mix, such as Shavkat Rakhmonov, Muhammad’s title shot, scheduled when he turns 36, is deemed appropriate given his recent performances and victories against top-ranked fighters.
The matchup between Edwards and Muhammad has been in the works for months, with finalization after UFC 300. The event in Manchester will mark the fifth time the city hosts a UFC event, with the last one in 2016 headlined by Michael Bisping defending his middleweight title.
Local Talent and Fan Expectations
With fighters like Aspinall, Mokaev, Edwards, Pimblett, and Allen all representing various regions in England, UFC 304 is expected to have a compelling “home vs. away” atmosphere for fans. Additionally, England’s Molly McCann is set to compete in a women’s strawweight bout against Bruna Brasil on the card.
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