Leon Edwards says Belal Muhammad's confidence is 'illusory'

UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards believes Belal Muhammad is out of control.

Edwards (21-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC) will defend his title in a rematch against Muhammad (23-3 MMA, 14-3 UFC) in the main event of UFC 304 on July 27 at Co-op Live in Manchester, England. Both Edwards and Muhammad hold double-digit unbeaten records. The only blemish on their winning streaks is a no contest in their March 2021 bout against each other. The bout was ruled a no contest after Edwards accidentally poked Muhammad in the eye, preventing him from continuing.

Muhammad is making bold claims ahead of the rematch, but Edwards isn't sure where the confidence is coming from.

“He's delusional and he's telling a lot of lies, so make sure you back it up,” Edwards told Red Corner MMA. “Like I said, he's been out for over a year, the way he talks as if he won the first fight, he's a bit delusional, but like I said, he'd better be ready. The fight in Manchester is going to be long, hard, tough for him.”

In their first bout, Edwards outfoxed Muhammad early on, winning the first round by all three judges. The eyebutt came just 18 seconds into the second round, but Muhammad is adamant that the first fight is no indication of how the fight will play out.

But Edwards doesn't think so.

“Like I said, I won the first round of the fight easily,” Edwards said, “I had just started the fight and then the eye poke happened. I obviously hurt him in the first round. I think he's just too slow for me. Too slow, too predictable, not good on his feet. So, we'll see how it goes.”

For more on the card, check out MMA Junkie's UFC 304 event hub.