The welterweight title will be on the line in the main event of UFC 304 when champion Leon Edwards takes on challenger Belal Muhammad. No fighter knows ‘Rocky’ Edwards better than Kamaru Usman, the former pound-for-pound king, who has fought the Brit thrice, losing twice. Rocky is currently fourth on the P4P rankings, something the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ has reservations about.
“I like Leon. As a champion, he definitely has real skills. But as a fan, I’m frustrated because this fight should have happened already. It’s been such a long time, but I’m glad we finally got the fight. Now, Leon can go in there and prove to people that he deserves to be high up on that pound-for-pound list because, honestly, I have my reservations about that list,” Usman said on UFC Live, previewing the UFC 304 title fight.
Despite having not fought since UFC 294, Usman is number one on the welterweight rankings. The 37-year-old might have a vested interest in the result of the UFC 304 main event. If Belal Muhammad upset the odds, Usman might be a win away from a shot at the welterweight title. A victory for Edwards might force Usman to move up to middleweight.
Usman Provides Insightful Guidance to Edwards
Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad have the longest unbeaten streaks in the division. When the two lock horns inside the Octagon at the Co-op Live, fans will be in for a treat. Muhammad’s pressure-fighting style will match Edwards’ counterstriking style well. Preluding the title fight, Kamaru Usman had some important advice for the champion.
“I think it’s a good fight, I like the confident wave that Leon is carrying now. I think he understands the responsibility of being a champion, the mentality you have to have, and he showed that in the fight. But there’s just a little thing I’d like to see from him: that killer instinct. If you know you’re the top dog, you have to prove it to each and every contender who wants your spot,” Usman said.
Also Read: “Stop Him in the Third” – Leon Edwards Confident Ahead of Belal Muhammad Rematch at UFC 304
