Belal Muhammad talks about being a replacement for Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards trilogy
Belal Muhammad has opened up on being a potential backup fighter for the upcoming Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards clash.
Leon Edwards shook the world last year when he defeated Usman in the final seconds of the fight to become the new welterweight champion of the UFC. 'The Nigerian Nightmare' dominated the majority of the bout going into the fifth round. However, he was caught with a vicious head kick, which knocked him out cold.
In less than a week's time, Kamaru Usman will have a shot at redemption as he aims to regain his welterweight championship from Leon Edwards. But if something catastrophic should happen, the UFC has to be ready with a backup fighter.
Speaking about being a backup, welterweight contender Belal Muhammad replied to a tweet suggesting that he hopes to be the backup fighter for the Usman vs. Edwards clash:
"I hope so."
In a tweet that followed, Belal Muhammad suggested that he deserves a full camp and "not just a back up roll" to fight for the title:
"Maybe they really like me because they know I deserve a full camp and not just a back up roll for the title."
Leon Edwards speaks about his game plan for the Kamaru Usman rematch
As mentioned earlier, Leon Edwards upset the odds when he beat Usman last year at UFC 278 to become the new welterweight champion. A lot has been said since then, and with the trilogy bout just under a week away, 'Rocky' has spoken about his game plan against the former UFC welterweight champion.
UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards plans to feed off the home crowd in London. Furthermore, he also hopes to take confidence from his knockout against Kamaru Usman last year coming into UFC 286.
In a recent appearance on the Capital XTRA podcast, 'Rocky' said:
"Just continue where I left off in the fifth round. I'm taking the confidence from knocking him out in the fifth round going into the fight. This is our third time fighting, so we both know each other's skill set and what we've got to offer."
He added:
"So just using the energy from being in the UK. It's my first headline back home now for like years... Just bouncing off the crowd and using that to gain victory."
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