[autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag] backed up an incredible amount of smack talk towards [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag] by claiming the welterweight title in the UFC 304 main event.
After their March 2021 fight ended in a no contest due to an accidental eye poke, Muhammad (24-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) has insisted he was going to win that fight. It took him years to get the opportunity, but he showed there was credence behind his words with a unanimous decision win over Edwards (21-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) to add his name into the history books of 170-pound champions, which includes legendary names.
To make things even sweeter, Muhammad entered enemy territory Saturday at Co-op Live in Manchester, England, and took the belt on Edwards’ home soil.
Check below for the top X (formerly Twitter) reactions to Muhammad beating Edwards at UFC 304.
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Your main event has arrived @Leon_EdwardsMMA and @BullyB170 have made their way to #UFC304! pic.twitter.com/kmvmqlpFyt
UFC (@ufc) July 28, 2024
The champ looks cool, calm, and collected #UFC304 Edwards-Muhammad LIVE NOW on ESPN+ PPV pic.twitter.com/oXD1V4Rv9b
ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 28, 2024
It’s time for the #UFC304 MAIN EVENT! Leon Edwards puts his welterweight title on the line vs. Belal Muhammad!Round-by-round: https://t.co/3zrbP2FTdX pic.twitter.com/l925aBcOHK
MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) July 28, 2024
Remember The Name! @BullyB170 is out to complete his championship quest! #UFC304 pic.twitter.com/OxkJvO6M7O
UFC_Asia (@UFC_Asia) July 28, 2024
Manchester, STAND UP for ‘Rocky’ The welterweight king Leon Edwards looks for his third consecutive title defence! #UFC304 pic.twitter.com/AOgIRwEZXY
UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) July 28, 2024
If Belal Muhammad wins this bout, he will be the oldest fighter to defeat a defending champion in any weight class 170 pounds and below.
Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) July 28, 2024
HEADSHOT! #UFC304 pic.twitter.com/1690x9MbJm
UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) July 28, 2024
WELTERWEIGHT SUPREMACY ON THE LINE HERE IN MANCHESTER. Edwards vs Muhammad 2 | #UFC304 | LIVE on PPV pic.twitter.com/WFtycwESVn
UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) July 28, 2024
Muhammad gets a simple double less than 20 seconds into the first round.
Luke Thomas️️ (@lthomasnews) July 28, 2024
Im just sayn. That was impressive! #ufc304
Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 28, 2024
Belal has to fight like DC for 25 mins! #ufc304
Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 28, 2024
Edwards clearly got hurt by that left hook. Stopped him in his tracks.
Mookie Alexander (@mookiealexander) July 28, 2024
10-9 Belal Muhammad after R1It looked like Leon got wobbled towards the end of that round before the takedown. Need to watch that again #UFC304
Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) July 28, 2024
That’s a great first round for Belal. Stung Edwards on the feet and had him way behind on that last takedown.
Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) July 28, 2024
Belal is lookin sharp out there 10-9 round for him #ufc304
Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) July 28, 2024
Good 1st round for Belal! Both had their moments but multiple TDs and pressure win the round 10-9
Funky (@Benaskren) July 28, 2024
10-9 Belal. Leon needs to throw more feints to keep Belal from shooting #UFC304
Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) July 28, 2024
Belal is giving Leon some big problems on the feet rn #ufc304
Megan Anderson (@MeganAnderson) July 28, 2024
So uhh this is actually a good fight so far
caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) July 28, 2024
That was a beautiful takedown off the pummel
Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 28, 2024
Belal Nurmagomedov
Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) July 28, 2024
Damn Muhammad is Belal over him #UFC304
Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) July 28, 2024
Man, @dc_mma & @Jon_Anik bout to go straight to the airport after this fight.
Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) July 28, 2024
Belal is looking incredible right now! #ufc304
Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 28, 2024
Remember the nameso far #ufc304
Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) July 28, 2024
Fairytale start for Belal Muhammad through 10 minutes. Seems to have Leon Edwards thrown off his game. #UFC304
Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) July 28, 2024
20-18 Belal Muhammad. He is making this an ugly fight #UFC304
José Youngs (@JoseYoungs) July 28, 2024
Muhammad up 2 rounds and looking sharp #ufc304
Kyle Noke (@KyleNoke) July 28, 2024
Now suddenly Edwards has Muhammad’s back in Round 3 and is looking for a RNC with over three minutes to work #UFC304
Nolan King (@mma_kings) July 28, 2024
Leon Edwards looks like he doesnt want to be in there tonight. @bullyb170 making this look like an episode of Bully beat down these first two rounds #ufc304
Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) July 28, 2024
Muhammad trying to get lower head position to the mat to facilitate the turn and reversal.
Luke Thomas️️ (@lthomasnews) July 28, 2024
Championship Rounds! How are you scoring Leon Edwards vs Belal Muhammad? #UFC304 pic.twitter.com/W7VGcLq4K9
UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) July 28, 2024
And momentum shifts with Edwards holding Muhammads back for the majority of Round 3. Still very much a fight. https://t.co/Z31HYf3uro
Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) July 28, 2024
29-28, Belal Muhammad. It’s getting interesting. #UFC304
Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) July 28, 2024
Comeback round for Leon. Belal up 2-1. #ufc304
Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 28, 2024
Slick grappling by Leon in R3 gives him an easy round! 29-28Leons back control is elite.
Funky (@Benaskren) July 28, 2024
Great main event so far a plethora of martial arts both guys pursuing their strengths. #ufc304
Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) July 28, 2024
3-1 Belal. Leon Edwards needs a fifth round finish, or a 10-8, to retain his title. #UFC304
Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) July 28, 2024
Leon Edwards corner tells him he need a finish in Round 5 to defend against Belal Muhammad. I agree. #UFC304
Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) July 28, 2024
Another easy round to score, 39-37 Belal. Leon needs a finish to win this fight.
Funky (@Benaskren) July 28, 2024
Damn the coaching styles are so different between rounds #ufc304
Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) July 28, 2024
We’ve heard those words before… Desperation from Leon Edwards’ corner going into our final round! #UFC304 pic.twitter.com/kalHBExjJH
UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) July 28, 2024
The crowd is starting to file out in Macnehster #UFC304
José Youngs (@JoseYoungs) July 28, 2024
Round 5 has been Edwards Cinderella man round in the past. But truly I feel his reign has been largely uncontested.
Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) July 28, 2024
Congrats to the new champ! @bullyb170 Well done my friend. #ufc304
Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 28, 2024
Our #UFC304 main event goes to the judges!Will it be #AndStill or #AndNew?! pic.twitter.com/0RNPzknq9v
UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) July 28, 2024
THEY GO THE DISTANCEWho do you have winning the decision!? #UFC305 pic.twitter.com/vnR8xhz6GK
UFC_AUSNZ (@UFC_AUSNZ) July 28, 2024
Belal a machine! @bullyb170 #UFC304
Dan Ige (@Dynamitedan808) July 28, 2024
#UFC304 results: Belal Muhammad def. Leon Edwards via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) for welterweight title Round-by-round: https://t.co/3zrbP2FTdX pic.twitter.com/NZ97unNk8y
MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) July 28, 2024
Best welterweight in the world @bullyb170
Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) July 28, 2024
It happened. #UFC304 pic.twitter.com/fZJ4QBYBLa
Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) July 28, 2024
Congrats to Belal for sticking to his game plan and having a dominant performance! #UFC304
Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) July 28, 2024
#AndNew! Belal Muhammad outpoints Leon Edwards by decision to take the title in enemy territory #UFC304 pic.twitter.com/JSLeWn9KSK
MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) July 28, 2024
Silencing the Manchester crowd @BullyB170 did what he promised! #UFC304 pic.twitter.com/mXIUgpd8an
UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) July 28, 2024
Congratulations @bullyb170 #ufc304
KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) July 28, 2024
Even @dc_mma brain was confused but this is the game we chose.
Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) July 28, 2024
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 304 social media reactions: Belal Muhammad’s title win over Leon Edwards leaves mixed feelings from fighters