UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad admits the upcoming Leon Edwards vs. Sean Brady fight is on his watchlist.
Former UFC titleholder Leon Edwards and surging contender Sean Brady will clash with a No. 1 contender spot on the line at UFC London on March 22nd. Weeks later, Belal Muhammad will make his first UFC welterweight title defense against Jack Della Maddalena, who was originally slated to face Edwards before an opponent switch-up by the matchmakers.
Edwards, who returns to the Octagon after losing the belt to Muhammad at UFC 304, will compete in his first UFC Fight Night event since March 2021. Brady earned back-to-back wins since suffering his first career defeat to Muhammad at UFC 280.
Muhammad could face the Edwards vs. Brady winner next if he gets past Maddalena at UFC 315. As he prepares for his first welterweight title defense, he has a prominent interest in the March 22nd main event.
Belal Muhammad analyzes Leon Edwards’ reaction to opponent switch-up
During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Muhammad gave his thoughts on the upcoming Edwards vs. Brady headliner.
“That’s a big one, right? That’s another name where you’re like, ‘He looked good his last two fights,’” Muhammad said of Brady. “I think he has to go out there and put on a performance against Leon, and then we’ll also see where Leon is because Sean Brady isn’t an easy task. But I beat both of them, so whoever’s watching that fight, just know that the best man in the world has the belt because you’re going to be cheering for both of those guys, and I beat them all.” (h/t MMA Junkie)
Muhammad was then asked about the challenge of Edwards switching opponents just weeks before UFC London. The champ believes that Edwards has the style to counter Brady’s elite grappling toolbox.
“You just had a whole camp for me, you just fought Usman, and then when you’re looking at Jack, he was a whole different style than us, but it’s not going to be a change for you,” Muhammad said of Edwards. “Even when you’re training for Jack, he’s a boxer. Brady is going to need to box to get inside of you, so your distance control should be good, your hands should be good.
“Then Brady has to come to you on short notice, so it’s going to be an interesting fight. I don’t think Brady is going to be able to get in on him with his takedowns,” Muhammad continued. “I think Brady shoots kind of like Usman where he reaches, and he doesn’t really have great setups. And in a bigger cage, I think Leon is going to be able to stick and move, kick and move. But I’m excited to see it.”
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Belal Muhammad has a second title pursuit in mind ahead of his first welterweight defense
In addition to preparing for Maddalena, Muhammad has teased a move to middleweight to face the winner of the anticipated Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev fight. Muhammad remains disinterested in facing his teammate, Islam Makhachev, in a potential welterweight superfight.
Muhammad has gone as far as to threaten to vacate the welterweight strap to make way for a Makhachev weight move. Khabib Nurmagomedov’s ‘heart is not okay’ with a potential Makhachev vs. Muhammad scrap.
In either case, Muhammad has lofty goals for the rest of his UFC career after winning his first world title. 2025 could be another accolade-laden year for the welterweight champion.