There were slight fears that the prestige of the card at UFC Vegas 21 was going to be diminished after it was announced that Khamzat Chimaev would no longer be able to take on Leon Edwards.
However, there was welcome news last night, as it was revealed on social media that a new challenger has stepped up to take on the British welterweight on short notice, as Edwards would now be taking on Belal Muhammad in Sin City on the 13th March. The announcement was welcomed by Edwards, as he looks to continue his reputation and show why he is one of the best fighters in UFC.
UFC News: Edwards Looking To Further Claims
The British fighter from Birmingham, England, has been in impressive form over the past couple of years, and will be looking for another win to rise in the rankings. He is currently rated as the third best welterweight in the UFC, and has been a hugely successfully story since arriving in the UFC. His first fight with the company came back in 2014.
His career in UFC didn’t get off to the best of starts, as he lost two of his first four fights. However, that defeat against Kamuru Usman in December 2015 remains the last time that he was beaten in the octagon. Since that defeat, he has won his last eight fights. He certainly hasn’t been fazed by the step up in competition over recent years either, as he has picked up massive wins against Donald Cerrone and Rafael dos Anjos in the last three years. However, this fight against Muhammad will be his first fight since July 2019.
UFC News: Muhammad Looking To Upset Odds
The bookmakers immediately priced Edwards as the heavy favourite to get the win when the two fighters meet in March. However, Muhammad will see this fight as a massive opportunity to showcase what he is capable of. The 32-year-old is ranked at 13th in the UFC rankings for the welterweight division, and has a very decent professional record.
He has won 18 of his 21 fights, and has been in excellent form over the past couple of years. Since his defeat to Geoff Neal in January 2019, he hasn’t lost in the octagon. Three of his four wins have come by decision, with the most recent of those wins coming against Dhiego Lima in February 2021.
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