Rocky: Boring Belal Wasn’t Popular Enough For UFC 300

UFC CEO Dana White wanted the UFC 300 lineup to be so “insane” that even the most jaded fight fans would “lose their minds” over the star power attached to last April’s landmark pay-per-view (PPV) event.

Which is why the “disrespected” Belal Muhammad was left on the sidelines.

That’s according to reigning welterweight champion Leon Edwards, who volunteered to headline the UFC 300 fight card when Conor McGregor became unavailable, a spot that eventually went to light heavyweight titleholder Alex Pereira.

“I said his name to the UFC — I actually said to the UFC: ‘What about Belal?’ They said he’s not a big enough name to headline UFC 300,” Edwards told NY Post. “And I was like, fair enough. That’s the reason why we’re here now in Manchester. I feel like he’s definitely not a big enough star to headline 300. But for me, I wanted to fight, and I was like, ‘Okay, what about this guy talking loads of s—t, and everyone thinks he deserves a title shot. Why not get him?’ But like I said, UFC wasn’t on it.”

Edwards, 32, will instead headline the UFC 304 fight card, locked and loaded for this Sat. night (July 27, 2024) at Co-op Live in Manchester, England. “Rocky” and “Remember the Name” battled to a “No Contest” at UFC Vegas 21 after an errant eye poke brought a halt to the action.

And gave birth to some amazing memes.

“Everyone’s seen the way the first round went,” Edwards said about their first go-round. “I also remember how slow he was in there and just how he felt in the clinch. I can’t take away from that. Apart from that, technical-wise, I’m approaching it as a brand new fight and breaking it down and looking at the Belal now, the 36 year-old guy he is now that hasn’t fought for over a year now. He’s definitely improved since then, but I feel like I’m just the better all-around mixed martial artist than him. I’m more athletic than him.”

We’ll find out this weekend in Manchester.

In the three years since their first meeting, Edwards (22-3, 1 NC) has won four straight, capturing the division title along the way. As for Muhammad (23-3, 1 NC) he’s a perfect 5-0 since their initial encounter, having previously disposed of Gilbert Burns at UFC 288.

For the rest of the UFC 304 fight card and PPV lineup click here.