Introduction to UFC 304
On the highly anticipated Fight Night card, UFC 304 brings a host of fantastic showdowns including Leon Edwards vs Belal Muhammad (Edwards vs Belal Muhammad). Fans are awaiting this epic battle with bated breath and it is important to deliver the journey appropriately, hence here we present before you all of it swinging your way. The live blog takes patrons through UFC 304 fight-by-fight from start to finish.
Leon Edwards:
UFC 304: A look back at Leon Edwards technical expertise and resiliency inside the Octagon Rocky, who is from Birmingham in the United Kingdom commonly known as Edwards. Starting out his MMA career in 2011, he fought a series of exciting fights where the Lithuanian athlete pulled off win after win. Victories over Rafael dos Anjos (the former lightweight titleholder) and Gunnar Nelson are among the highlights for Edwards. His technical striking and all-around game make him a tough contender in the fathersom division.
Belal Muhammad:
This combination of tenacity and skill makes Belal Muhammad one UFC’s emerging stars. Representing Chicago, Illinois — Muhammad has been on the rise in the welterweight division. The road to UFC 304 for Muhammad has been one of survival, with heart-stopping triumphs coming time and again as he looks to establish himself in the upper echelon.
Fight stats
Leon Edwards vs Belal Muhammad
| 0 | Knockdowns | 0 |
|---|---|---|
| 89/11478.1 | Total strikes% | 192/28168.3 |
| 47/7166.2 | Significant strikes% | 68/12156.2 |
| 2/2100.0 | Takedowns% | 9/1369.2 |
| 0 | Submission attempts | 0 |
Edwards vs. Muhammad Fight Analysis
Grappling and Ground Game
From the grappling viewpoint, Leon Edwards has developed a lot more in these years. His takedown defense is good and he knows how to get on top by reversing bad position. Critics of Edwards might deride his ground-and-pound approach, but it works and simply allows him to dictate when the bout hits the floor.
Belal Muhammad – Equally skilled in grappling His superior wrestling background allows him to control the tempo better and he has more success in terms of takedowns. He is well-rounded and has great ground control along with submission skills. The strong wrestling base leads Garcia to a relentless pressure game that pays off when his opponents make mistakes.
Real-Time Updates, Round by Round
Round 1:
Round 1 both fighters measuring their distance Edwards striking behind his reach with nice jabs, Muhammad trying to work in and cut the range. Muhammad secures a takedown midway through the round but Edwards is right back to his feet. As round comes to a close, the follow fighters trade punches displaying their discipline.
Round 2:
Edwards became more aggressive with his striking in the second round. A couple of big shots land, but Muhammad lands a stiff right-hand counter That persistence of Muhammad pays off as he completes another takedown and then controls Edwards on the ground until the bell. This time it is a more even round with bits and pieces from both the fighters.
Round 3:
Round 3 and Edwards is starting to use his kicks now, looking to sap Muhammad’s movement. Muhammad still pressing forward, looking to tie up and ground the fight. The takedown of Edwards holds, and he slowly starts to find his groove on the feet. Edwards closes the round with a flurry of punches, which is probably enough to give him just net advantage.
Round 4:
Both fighters start to slow down a bit in the fourth round, showing signs of fatigue. Edwards keeps his cool and lands a head kick that wobbles Muhammad. Jumping right on it, Edwards comes forward but Muhammad is showing true resolve to keep from being taken off his feet. Edwards has a small edge in this point-a-minute round, a spirited affair.
Round 5:
The last round is a test of stamina and mind. Both fighters go the distance leaving everything in the Octagon, Edwards trying to keep working on his striking and Muhammad searching for some sort of takedown. After a frantic 3 minutes of action the round is over and the judges are left to decide.
Key Moments:
Striking Edwards showcased his precision on the feet and Muhammad’s heart was there for all to see.
The former welterweight champion was wrestling well, but Edwards’ takedown defense was the biggest factor.
Fight IQ: These two both have high fight IQs and they showed it, adjusting their gameplans on the fly as needed.
Judges’ Decision:
The decision is now in the hands of judges after a spirited back and forth war. It is a competitive fight that could go either way.
Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad put on a fight to remember at last month’s UFC 304. The fighters both demonstrated lots of skill and heart, which made for a tight fight. Now that the dust has settled, fans and analysts alike will think about what strategies and which moments made this encounter impossible to forget.