UFC 304: Edwards vs. Muhammad 2 Fight Card, Predictions, & Odds

The rematch between UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards and No. 2-ranked divisional contender Belal Muhammad headlines the UFC 304 card this weekend inside the Co-op Live in Manchester, United Kingdom. Their first meeting in March 2021 ended in a no-contest result after Muhammad suffered a nasty injury on his eye due to Edwards’ accidental eye poke.

Manchester, are you ready??#UFC304 fight week is HERE 👊

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Both are currently riding their respective winning streaks, but Edwards’ 12 consecutive victories, which date back to May 2016, plus his championship experience, have made him the favorite heading into this second match with -220 UFC odds.

Meanwhile, despite Muhammad’s nine-fight win streak and recent improvements to his martial arts arsenal, he’s still the betting underdog at +190. He now aims to snap Edwards’ hot streak and start a new reign in the 170-pound division.

Leon Edwards Recent Fight Results

Edwards was a former BAMMA champion before he was signed by the UFC in 2014. He split his first four fights under the Las Vegas-based promotion but has since never tasted defeat by winning his next 12 fights. During this stretch, he defeated notable contenders like Vicente Luque, Bryan Barberena, Donald Cerrone, and Rafael Dos Anjos.

One of the most unforgettable moments in UFC history 🤯@Leon_EdwardsMMA returns at #UFC304 looking for his 3rd straight welterweight title defense! pic.twitter.com/fiqiPWJVxZ

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But his last three fights were the biggest in his career, as Edwards won the UFC welterweight title against Kamaru Usman by completing an epic comeback in August 2022 with a fifth-round knockout. Then, he successfully defended the championship with a majority decision over Usman during their trilogy fight in March 2023 and a unanimous decision win against Colby Covington in December.

Belal Muhammad Recent Fight Results

Muhammad was a former Titan FC champion and earned his roster spot with the UFC in 2016. Like Edwards, Muhammad had two wins and two losses in his first four fights inside the octagon but found his groove after that by winning 12 of his next 13 fights, tallying an incredible 14-3 slate under the promotion.

Welterweight gold is on the line this weekend!

Let's take a look at how @Leon_EdwardsMMA & @BullyB170's resumes compare ahead of #UFC304 👀

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In his current form, Muhammad has scored victories against other top contenders in the welterweight division, beating the likes of Demian Maia (in June 2021), Stephen Thompson (in December 2021), Vicente Luque (in April 2022 during their rematch), Sean Brady (in October 2022), and most recently Gilbert Burns (in May 2023) to finally warrant his first title shot.

Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad 2: Tale of the Tape

Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad 2: Fight Analysis

As usual, since this is a rematch between two fighters, I’ll put aside who’s got the advantage when it comes to the tale of the tape because Edwards and Muhammad have already fought each other and instead focus on what transpired during their first battle, which unfortunately ended in a no-contest result.

Before their first fight ended, Edwards had great success lighting up Muhammad with various striking combinations. He even hurt him with a solid left knee strike that opened a cut on Muhammad’s head. Additionally, the defending champion mixed his attack with constant pressure forward and grappling exchanges to disrupt his opponent’s rhythm.

Meanwhile, Muhammad did a great job countering Edwards’s early aggression by timing his check hooks and check punches perfectly. But these fighting approaches from the two welterweight stars were from three years ago, and they have since improved by leaps and bounces from their previous encounter.

Edwards has significantly improved his grappling skills, especially his takedown attacks and takedown defense, which were his key in fending off the challenges from Usman and Covington, who were former D1 wrestlers during their collegiate years. Furthermore, the “Rocky” has developed a more accurate and patient approach to his striking regimen.

On the other hand, Muhammad personally took criticisms about him as a boring fighter and joined the camp of former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2022 to level up his skills. The refinement of his skills was apparent in his last two fights, as he became an aggressor and a relentless fighter who shot for takedowns early in the fight.

Additionally, Muhammad also improved his striking skills with more combinations and power. This was on full display when he TKO’d Brady and stunned Burns several times during his two previous bouts. However, these advancements to his skill level might not be enough to become the undisputed UFC welterweight champion for now.

Edwards’ accuracy and timing could give Muhammad a hard time during their showdown because the British superstar has a significant advantage in terms of speed. His championship triumph also added more confidence to him, and the fact that he’s fighting in front of his home fans is enough motivation for him to give a great show and a highlight-reel finish.

Official Prediction: TKO/KO victory for Leon Edwards.