Rematch Timeline | Leon Edwards vs Belal Muhammad

When Edwards and Muhammad were first booked in March 2021, it was a matchup of two guys who were overdue for the moment in different ways. For Edwards, it was his first fight in nearly two years — a gap filled with bad luck, battles with COVID-19, and several scrapped fights with Khamzat Chimaev —  and he was desperate to regain any momentum he had before the coronavirus pandemic swept the world. Muhammad, meanwhile, was finally getting the headlining slot for which he longed. He entered the fight having won eight of his last nine, and a main event served as a real chance to break into the title picture.

Order UFC 304: Edwards vs Muhammad 2

Following a competitive first round, which included a barely blocked head kick from Edwards that stagged Muhammad, the two came out for the second frame. Less than 20 seconds into the round, Edwards went for a body kick, but his outstretched fingers caught Muhammad’s eye, and the Chicago native went down in a heap. The anticlimactic ending was the last thing either man wanted or needed, but the bout was ruled a no contest.  

Muhammad vs Demian Maia 

(UFC 263 – June 12, 2021)

Still in search of a signature win, Muhammad returned to action three months later to face former title challenger and submission wizard Demian Maia. Muhammad spent the majority of the bout defending Maia’s ground attacks while implementing his own offense, and while Maia’s approach lent itself to a less-than-entertaining affair, it was a stiff test Muhammad passed with flying colors.

Edwards vs Nate Diaz 

(UFC 263 – June 12, 2021)

On the same night as Muhammad’s return to the winner’s circle, Edwards received his highest-profile spotlight to date when he faced Nate Diaz in a five-round co-main event. For the better part of 24 minutes, Edwards stayed sharp, more or less battering Diaz across the Octagon with elbows, punches and kicks. With a minute remaining, Diaz tagged Edwards with a flush left hand that rocked Edwards, but “Rocky” did enough to survive until the final horn. Despite Diaz’s best efforts, Edwards got his hand raised and a meaningful amount of respect from one of Stockton’s favorite sons.

Muhammad vs Stephen Thompson 

(UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Daukaus – December 18, 2021)

Few tests are as unique as facing Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson. The karate expert thwarted some of the stiffest grapplers and puzzled some of the best strikers in the Octagon. Muhammad, however, made relatively easy work of the former title challenger. For three rounds, Muhammad nullified Thompson’s striking, taking him down with relative ease and maintaining control for the majority of the fight.  

Muhammad vs Vicente Luque 

(UFC Fight Night: Luque vs Muhammad 2 – April 16, 2022)

Before he got another shot at Edwards, Muhammad exacted revenge on Vicente Luque. The two had met back in November 2016, and Luque put Muhammad away less than 80 seconds into the fight. Muhammad was at his suffocating best in the rematch, however, showing he had improved enough on the feet to implement all he wanted to in the grappling realm.

Edwards vs Kamaru Usman 

(UFC 278 – August 20, 2022)

Edwards’ come-from-behind win against Kamaru Usman is well-documented, and for good reason. Few title-winning strikes are sweeter than the head kick Edwards uncorked late in the fifth round to flip the MMA world on its head.

Muhammad vs Sean Brady 

(UFC 280 – October 22, 2022)

While Muhammad’s wins over Maia, Thompson and Luque were impressive, “Remember the Name” was levied the reputation of a “boring” fighter for his grappling-heavy efforts. Facing fellow welterweight riser and then-undefeated Sean Brady, Muhammad made the loudest of statements in Abu Dhabi. Over the course of two rounds, Muhammad put the pace on Brady, wearing the Philadelphia native down and picking him apart with sharp boxing. Finally, the damage and volume were too much, and Muhammad earned his first stoppage since September 2019.

Edwards vs Kamaru Usman 

(UFC 286 – March 18, 2023)

For as amazing as Edwards “headshot, dead” head kick was, detractors called the win something close to a fluke. The strike was well-executed, of course, but Usman was cruising to a decision win, and when you have a champion as excellent and long-reigning as “The Nigerian Nightmare,” you often need to beat them twice to cement your claim to the throne.

Finally getting his chance to headline a show in the United Kingdom, Edwards had the O2 Arena in the palm of his hand, and he needed every bit of that energy to turn Usman away once again in an even closer fight than their first two.

Muhammad vs Gilbert Burns 

(UFC 288 – May 6, 2023)