Belal Muhammad defeats Leon Edwards to become new UFC welterweight champion as ‘Rocky’ era comes to an end via unanimous decision in Manchester
- The judges gave the match a score of 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46 in favor of Muhammad
- Edwards suffered a shocking defeat in his third defense of the welterweight title
- Muhammad extended his winning streak to ten fights after a convincing performance
Leon Edwards was stripped of his UFC welterweight title by Belal Muhammad after losing by unanimous decision in Manchester.
The judges gave Muhammad a great score: 48-47, 48-47, 49-46, while Edwards suffered a shocking defeat in the main event of UFC 304.
‘Rocky’ was dethroned in his third title defence despite a desperate last-round attack, while a bloodied Muhammad, who burst into tears after being crowned the new champion, extended his impressive winning streak to ten fights.
The fight at the Co-op Live Arena, which took place in the early hours of Sunday morning, was a rematch of the 2021 showdown, which was ruled a no-contest after Muhammad was unable to continue following an accidental eye poke.
“It sounds like all the people booing have tears in their eyes,” Muhammad told TNT Sports. “I have my family here. God always comes first. This fight is for my family, my people and for Palestine.
“I have the best team in the world, we study to the core, we get better. We have the best strikers, these guys are killers. You may not know their names, but we have a real champion in Chicago now.
‘I am Belal Muhammad. I am my own man. Now the world sees it.
“They have to respect it.”
Muhammad delivered a convincing performance and controlled most of the bout – with hundreds of disappointed spectators leaving the venue early. The new welterweight king landed almost 100 more punches and kept up the late pressure.
Wasting no time in his challenge, Muhammad went for the jugular as he knocked his opponent down multiple times in the first round. He also landed some heavy blows in the second round, including a huge drop to Edwards’ head.
Edwards showed flashes of strength, landing a sharp takedown late in the second round, but struggled to hold his own until the final 30 seconds of the match, when he sent blood streaming down Muhammad’s face and onto the canvas.
However, the steel resistance came too late.
“It’s not surprising, my body already felt tired after the first round,” Edwards said.
“We’ve been tired all week. But congratulations Belal. We’ll get it back.”