Belal Muhammad is now the welterweight champion after he beat Leon Edwards at UFC 304 in Manchester, Kamaru Usman is expected to return as the challenger.
In the main event of UFC 304, Belal Muhammad defeated Leon Edwards to become the new welterweight champion.
![Kamaru Usman: Nigerian Nightmare says he is on a sabbatical from UFC](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/16032023/83ed9e98-406a-4246-b634-ece1a8529259.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
18:00 - 23.07.2024
Kamaru Usman: Nigerian Nightmare says he is on a sabbatical from UFC
Nigerian Nightmare Kamaru Usman says he is on a sabbatical from UFC, warns Leon Edwards ahead of return.
The fight card was held early on Sunday, July 28, at Co-op Live in Manchester, England.
![Belal Muhammad vows to starch Kamaru Usman](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/06042023/f96f4e58-ee78-450f-8c19-f62a8a1c0a4a.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
17:59 - 06.04.2023
UFC Belal Muhammad vows to starch Kamaru Usman
Kamaru Usman has been called out for a mega fight against Belal Muhammad.
It was declared a no-contest in their first non-title match at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas in March 2021.
Belal Muhammad beats Leon Edwards
Muhammad was unable to continue the second round after inadvertently poking his eye.
![Belal Muhammad is now the welterweight champion after he beat Leon Edwards at UFC 304 in Manchester, Kamaru Usman is expected to return as the challenger.](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/28072024/e3ae6c3d-ef54-4bc1-b67b-0971371b8bc4.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
The UFC 304 championship match, which was supposed to last five rounds, went the entire distance.
With the scores of 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46, the native of Chicago won by unanimous vote.
![Belal Muhammad is now the welterweight champion after he beat Leon Edwards at UFC 304 in Manchester, Kamaru Usman is expected to return as the challenger.](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/28072024/b73fbc34-1852-4249-9c7f-3b9ae535a61d.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
Belal Muhammad who is 36, won his sixth straight fight and raised his record to 24-3, 1 NC in addition to taking home the title.
In his third attempt at defending the crown, Leon Edwards was unsuccessful and lost the match.
The 32-year-old, who was born in Jamaica, lost to 22-4, 1 NC, ending his four-game winning streak.
![Belal Muhammad is now the welterweight champion after he beat Leon Edwards at UFC 304 in Manchester, Kamaru Usman is expected to return as the challenger.](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/28072024/4fd33abf-b6bf-49ee-9100-016b50a0c030.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
The victory opens the door for the Nigerian Nightmare Kamaru Usman to contend for the title next.
Usman before the fight acknowledged that he believed Edwards would probably hold onto his title, but he also said he believed "Remember The Name" Muhammad has a chance to pull off the upset.
![Kamaru Usman has been called out for a mega fight against Belal Muhammad.](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/06042023/f96f4e58-ee78-450f-8c19-f62a8a1c0a4a.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
Background
Edwards recorded a majority decision victory against Usman in their third fight at the 02 Arena in London, in the early hours of Sunday, March 19, 2023.
![Belal Muhammad is now the welterweight champion after he beat Leon Edwards at UFC 304 in Manchester, Kamaru Usman is expected to return as the challenger.](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/19032023/1415d679-fd89-4de2-a684-86570f6d223f.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
Edwards and Usman took to the Octagon for their trilogy matchup in the main event of UFC 286.
Usman beat Edwards by decision in their first fight, however in their second fight Edwards produced a nasty head kick to knock out Usman in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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