‘I’ll Give Him A Rematch In Three Years’

Photo by Richard Sellers/PA Images via Getty Images

Sorry, no rematch for “Rocky.”

Belal Muhammad upset the mixed martial arts (MMA) world at UFC 304 last night (Sat., July 27, 2024) when he cruised to a clear unanimous decision over Leon Edwards to win the Welterweight championship from inside Co-Op Live in Manchester, England. Muhammad became the first fighter from Palestine to hold UFC gold.

During the UFC 304 post-fight press conference (watch here), Muhammad downplayed giving Edwards an immediate rematch because Edwards didn’t give him one.

“Yeah, I’ll give him a rematch in three years,” Muhammad told the media. “Let him work his way back up. I think it was a dominant fight, and there really is no need for a rematch. He didn’t have a long reign as a champion, where he is entitled to a rematch. For me, I came to his hometown, in front of his people, in enemy territory. So, it was a layup for him, but I blocked it.”

“Remember the name” refers to the fact that Edwards did not give him a rematch after their first fight ended with a nasty eye poke, and it took him three long years to get the rebooking.

Muhammad did welcome a fight with Shavkat Rakhmonov, Jack Della Maddalena, or Ian Garry.

.Shortly after the press conference, Muhammad took to Instagram to deliver one last blow to “Rocky” by posting a picture of him dropping Edwards on his head. And to top it all off, he wrote “headshot,” which has become Edwards’ phrase (he says ‘headshot dead’).

Muhammad is riding a 10-fight win streak and has not lost since 2019.

For complete UFC 304: “Edwards vs. Muhammad” results and play-by-play, click HERE!