[autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag] backed up an incredible amount of smack talk towards [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag] by claiming the welterweight title in the UFC 304 main event.
After their March 2021 fight ended in a no contest due to an accidental eye poke, Muhammad (24-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) has insisted he was going to win that fight. It took him years to get the opportunity, but he showed there was credence behind his words with a unanimous decision win over Edwards (21-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) to add his name into the history books of 170-pound champions, which includes legendary names.
To make things even sweeter, Muhammad entered enemy territory Saturday at Co-op Live in Manchester, England, and took the belt on Edwards’ home soil.
Check below for the top X (formerly Twitter) reactions to Muhammad beating Edwards at UFC 304.
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UFC
ESPN MMA
MMA Junkie
UFC
UFC
Aaron Bronsteter
If Belal Muhammad wins this bout, he will be the oldest fighter to defeat a defending champion in any weight class 170 pounds and below.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) July 28, 2024
UFC
UFC
Luke Thomas
Muhammad gets a simple double less than 20 seconds into the first round.
— Luke Thomas🏋️♀️ (@lthomasnews) July 28, 2024
Alan Jouban
Alan Jouban
Mookie Alexander
Edwards clearly got hurt by that left hook. Stopped him in his tracks.
— Mookie Alexander (@mookiealexander) July 28, 2024
Damon Martin
10-9 Belal Muhammad after R1
It looked like Leon got wobbled towards the end of that round before the takedown. Need to watch that again #UFC304
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) July 28, 2024
Ben Fowlkes
That’s a great first round for Belal. Stung Edwards on the feet and had him way behind on that last takedown.
— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) July 28, 2024
Terrance McKinney
Belal is lookin sharp out there 10-9 round for him #ufc304
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) July 28, 2024
Ben Askren
Good 1st round for Belal! Both had their moments but multiple TDs and pressure win the round 10-9
— Funky (@Benaskren) July 28, 2024
Henry Cejudo
10-9 Belal. Leon needs to throw more feints to keep Belal from shooting #UFC304
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) July 28, 2024
Megan Anderson
Belal is giving Leon some big problems on the feet rn 👀 #ufc304
— Megan Anderson (@MeganAnderson) July 28, 2024
Caposa
So uhh this is actually a good fight so far
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) July 28, 2024
Alan Jouban
That was a beautiful takedown off the pummel
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 28, 2024
Derek Brunson
Belal Nurmagomedov 😂😂😂
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) July 28, 2024
Henry Cejudo
Ryan Clark
Alan Jouban
Michael Chandler
Mike Bohn
Fairytale start for Belal Muhammad through 10 minutes. Seems to have Leon Edwards thrown off his game. #UFC304
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) July 28, 2024
Jose Youngs
20-18 Belal Muhammad. He is making this an ugly fight #UFC304
— José Youngs (@JoseYoungs) July 28, 2024
Kyle Noke
Nolan King
Now suddenly Edwards has Muhammad’s back in Round 3 and is looking for a RNC with over three minutes to work #UFC304
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) July 28, 2024
Brendan Schaub
Leon Edwards looks like he doesn’t want to be in there tonight. @bullyb170 making this look like an episode of Bully beat down these first two rounds #ufc304
— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) July 28, 2024
Luke Thomas
Muhammad trying to get lower head position to the mat to facilitate the turn and reversal.
— Luke Thomas🏋️♀️ (@lthomasnews) July 28, 2024
UFC
Mike Bohn
Danny Segura
29-28, Belal Muhammad. It’s getting interesting. #UFC304
— Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) July 28, 2024
Alan Jouban
Ben Askren
Slick grappling by Leon in R3 gives him an easy round! 29-28
Leon’s back control is elite.
— Funky (@Benaskren) July 28, 2024
Terrance McKinney
Michael Chandler
Great main event so far… a plethora of martial arts… both guys pursuing their strengths. #ufc304
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) July 28, 2024
Sean Sheehan
3-1 Belal. Leon Edwards needs a fifth round finish, or a 10-8, to retain his title. #UFC304
— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) July 28, 2024
Mike Bohn
Leon Edwards’ corner tells him he need a finish in Round 5 to defend against Belal Muhammad. I agree. #UFC304
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) July 28, 2024
Ben Askren
Another easy round to score, 39-37 Belal. Leon needs a finish to win this fight.
— Funky (@Benaskren) July 28, 2024
Terrance McKinney
Damn the coaching styles are so different between rounds #ufc304
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) July 28, 2024
UFC
Jose Youngs
Michael Chandler
Round 5 has been Edward’s Cinderella man round in the past. But truly I feel his reign has been largely uncontested.
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) July 28, 2024
Alan Jouban
UFC
UFC
Dan Ige
MMA Junkie
Anthony Pettis
Mike Bohn
Henry Cejudo
Congrats to Belal for sticking to his game plan and having a dominant performance! #UFC304
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) July 28, 2024
MMA Junkie
UFC
Kamaru Usman
Michael Chandler
Even @dc_mma brain was confused… but this is the game we chose….
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) July 28, 2024
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 304 social media reactions: Belal Muhammad’s title win over Leon Edwards leaves mixed feelings from fighters
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