The stakes are high but the tension is even higher. Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad will fight for the second time this Saturday with the UFC Welterweight championship on the line. Here is our Edwards vs Muhammad 2 prediction.
Edwards vs Muhammad 2 Prediction: Both Have Improved Since Their First Fight
Manchester will host the long-awaited rematch between these two UFC stars. Their first fight ended in a no contest due to an accidental eye poke from Edwards. Now that both fighters have improved their skills significantly and are in peak form, we are in for a real title fight.
Leon Edwards Preview
Leon Edwards, the UFC welterweight champion, is known for his exceptional sense of distance and technique. With a record of 22-3-0, he has proven that he can not only win smart but also put together impressive finishes. His head kick victory over Kamaru Usman was one of the most memorable title fight finishes in UFC history.
In his last fights, Edwards successfully defended his title twice, defeating Colby Covington and Kamaru Usman in their third fight. His ability to adapt to his opponent’s style and excellent cardio make him a tough opponent for every type of fighter.
Edwards will try to prevent Belal from gaining a foothold at mid-range with body kicks from the start. He will also try to break him with straights and jabs from a long distance. The champion will try to maintain a steady pace of the fight and constantly press Belal because in this case, Muhammad’s takedowns will become more predictable.
On paper, Leon is the more technical of the two. But before we can give a confident Edwards vs Muhammad 2 prediction, we have to analyze both sides.
Belal Muhammad Preview
Belal Muhammad has a 23-3-0 MMA record and is known for his toughness and grappling skills. He has come a long way to the title, defeating fighters such as Stephen Thompson and Gilbert Burns. Belal is known for his cardio and ability to dictate the pace of a fight through five full rounds.
He was already good before he faced Edwards the first time but that fight exposed his weaknesses when faced with an elite striker. Since then, Belal has significantly improved his striking technique and now threatens his opponents not only with takedowns but also with powerful strikes.
It is curious but statistically, he lands almost double the significant strikes per round to Edwards. Moreover, he actively trains with Khabib Nurmagomedov’s team, which has a positive effect on his grappling and overall training. Muhammad is confident in his abilities and is ready to give it his all to take the title finally.
Belal will use his low kicks to force the champion to switch stances and be vulnerable to being taken to the ground. Edwards gets up from the ground easily, so Muhammad will have to find a way to take his back and control him at the fence immediately.
Muhammad has a great sense of distance, is quick with his hands, and is always looking for takedowns, so he has a chance to outshoot Edwards.
Our Leon Edwards vs Belal Muhammad 2 Prediction: Everyone Expects a Decision
The fighters’ first fight took place in 2021 and was declared a no contest. Edwards took the only round of that fight because Belal was confused by his feints and became an easy target. It is unlikely that the upcoming confrontation will look the same, given that both fighters have seriously improved during this time.
Leon and Belal are used to taking fights to a decision and know how to sway the judges’ opinions in their favor. That’s why fighting until the final bell is a mutual risk. The outcome of the fight will largely depend on whether Belal can successfully use his wrestling skills and keep Leon on the ground.
If he can do that, his chances of winning will increase significantly. However, if Edwards can keep his distance and avoid takedowns, he will be able to win with his striking and stamina.
Overall, this is a difficult fight to predict but we have to side with the champion for our Edwards vs Muhammad 2 prediction. There is a high probability of a decision and we pick the champion because of his technique, solid takedown defense, and ability to control the distance.
Contrary to popular opinion, this fight will be much more entertaining and thrilling than people believe. And the best part is that there is an amazing card before this main event.
Vlad is a former amateur MMA fighter. After a series of injuries, he found a different way to connect with the sport and its fanbase - through writing. He's been covering everything-UFC for over 5 years on various platforms and has been part of the team at NYFights since early 2022.
