Well, well, well. Looks like Leon Edwards is gearing up for his next title defense. And guess who’s on the other side of the ring? Belal Muhammad. Yep, you heard it right. This face-off is set to happen at UFC 300 on April 13.
Edwards was spotted at the Aston Villa vs. Burnley soccer game in Birmingham last Saturday. The crowd gave him a hero’s welcome. Can’t blame ’em, can we? The champ also dropped a bombshell during an on-pitch interview. He’s defending his belt at UFC 300.
But wait, there’s more. “Rocky” has plans to bring the UFC to his hometown of Birmingham next year. How cool is that? “I will defend my belt in April at UFC 300 in Vegas again,” Edwards said. “Then hopefully in the summertime get a fight back home in Birmingham at Villa Park. I’m in talks with the UFC, so hopefully we can get it done.” That’s some home pride, right there.
Edwards didn’t name his opponent, but the grapevine says it’s Muhammad. Ariel Helwani’s report points in the same direction. Shavkat Rakhmonov, the undefeated welterweight contender, was also in the running. But the UFC hasn’t confirmed anything about Edwards’ next title defense yet.
Edwards is fresh off a decisive win over Colby Covington at UFC 296 on Dec. 16. The 32-year-old Englishman is unbeaten in his last 13 promotional appearances. His only hiccup? A no contest in his first face-off with Muhammad at UFC Fight Night 187 in March 2021.
UFC 300 is happening at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The headliner for the card is still a mystery. But with Edwards and Muhammad in the ring, it’s bound to be a cracker of a match.