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Belal Muhammad made a statement at UFC 304, proving the oddsmakers wrong and securing a dominant unanimous decision victory over Leon Edwards to claim the welterweight title. The main event at Co-op Live in Manchester, England, saw Muhammad (24-3) outclass Edwards (22-4) in all aspects of the fight, showcasing his striking, wrestling, and relentless pressure.
From the outset, Muhammad set a fierce pace, immediately pressuring Edwards with striking before transitioning to his wrestling game. Within the first 20 seconds, Muhammad executed a high-elevation takedown, slamming Edwards to the canvas and setting the tone for the rest of the fight. His striking also made an impact, with hard punches that visibly stunned Edwards.
One of the fight's most memorable moments came in Round 2 when Muhammad delivered a massive slam that dropped Edwards on the crown of his head. Despite Edwards showing resilience, he struggled to find his rhythm against Muhammad's relentless attack.
Round 3 was Edwards' strongest, as he managed to control Muhammad from the back for the majority of the five minutes. However, Muhammad bounced back in Round 4, resuming his dominance with effective striking and powerful takedowns. In the final round, Edwards landed a series of punches that opened a cut on Muhammad's head, but it wasn't enough to sway the judges.
This victory was particularly significant as it avenged their 2020 bout, which ended in a no-contest due to an accidental eye poke from Edwards. Since that fight, Edwards captured the welterweight title and successfully defended it twice. Meanwhile, Muhammad went on a five-fight winning streak, earning victories over notable opponents such as Sean Brady, Gilbert Burns, and Vicente Luque to secure his title shot.
With this win, Muhammad cements his place at the top of the welterweight division and opens the door for exciting future matchups as the newly crowned champion.
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