All eyes will be on the headline fight at UFC 304, as Leon Edwards will look to defend his Welterweight Championship title against an opponent he has met before in Belal Muhammed.
It’s a contest many have looked forward to for three years after the first meeting ended in a no contest. The match was looking to provide plenty of entertainment, but it was stopped prematurely after the Briton accidentally poked the American in the eye in the second round. That fight took place in Las Vegas, but this year’s rematch will take place in Manchester, England.
There has already been plenty of buzz around the July 27 bout, with many looking ahead to the bookies odds that are already available. Some have even used tools like an odds calculator to see what could be returned if they look at building their bet and enhancing it with various markets. Some, though, like the idea of Muhammed being able to defeat the current champion…
Could Muhammed become the Welterweight Champion at UFC 304?
Heading into the contest, there isn’t too much separating the two fighters before they step inside of the Octagon. Both men have identical records that read 22-3-0, which suggests fight fans could be in store for a thrilling contest and hopefully one that doesn’t end like it did in 2021.
Some believe this could be the man - who has the nickname known as “Remember the Name” - time to shine, as he has more recent fight experience than Edwards. Edwards has only had four fights since the no contest result, with three of them for the belt, while Muhammed has had five fights in the same period. Both fighters haven’t lost any of those fights, but the American has been effective. Each of the fighters appear to mainly require decisions to win their bouts, but this suggests that they can last the duration and go the full distance.
People who may be considering to engage in wagering and check out UFC bettings might want to consider the timing of the fight, which is why some believe the older American might overcome the odds and acquire the Welterweight Championship title. The fight might be taking place in Manchester, England, but it will be fought with American times in mind. This means the fight could be taking place at around 03:00 GMT, which could be advantageous for Bilal and not Edwards.
Edwards won’t be easy
There is no denying that Edwards will be an easy opponent at UFC 304, and he won’t go down without a fight. As mentioned, he knows how to get the job done inside the Octagon and will typically last the distance in fights.
At the same time, while he may have had one fewer fight in the same time span as Muhammed, he has defeated Nate Diaz, Kamaru Usman twice and Colby Covington, with the latter two opponents all involving the belt.
He is also younger and has a height and reach advantage, which could all come into play during the bout. While the time might be a concern for some, it’s something he is likely to have looked to prepare and adjust for before fight night.
Nothing is guaranteed, but we should expect a top fight, nonetheless.
For more sports coverage, check out Chat Sports on YouTube!
Back to the MMA Newsfeed