“I’m gonna lift that belt high”

Belal Muhammad gets his long-awaited chance on Saturday at UFC 304.

Muhammad made his UFC debut in July 2016. Eight years and 18 fights later, he steps into the cage this Saturday to challenge Leon Edwards in his first-ever fight for the UFC welterweight title.

“It’s finally here,” said Muhammad, 36. “It took me forever to get here. It was a long road, but I learned that I had to take it. I got so much better and grew so much.”

In addition to being his first title fight, it will likely be Muhammad’s (23-3, 1 NC) last. If he loses, it’s highly unlikely he’ll ever fight for the belt again, especially considering the lengths it took to get this title fight.

Muhammad hasn’t suffered a defeat since January 2019. He’s won his last nine decisions, with the only no-contest hiccup coming in his 2021 fight against—you guessed it—Edwards. An accidental poke to Muhammad’s eye in the second round ended a fight that Edwards was controlling. Since then, Muhammad has been overlooked for title contention—even getting attacked by Colby Covington, who rarely fights anymore.

“I keep hearing, ‘Congratulations on getting a title shot,'” Muhammad said. “No, man. Fighting for the belt, that’s not enough. I want to be the world champion. I want to be the best welterweight that ever did it. And that starts with beating Leon Edwards.

“And it’s going to be a totally different fight. I remember the anger of that fight. A no-decision, that’s not a win or a loss. And he didn’t give me a second chance. That just built up hatred for him. I’m going to make him feel pain for it.”

Edwards (22-3, 1 NC) has won his last 10 decisions. While Muhammad has defeated top-tier opponents, Edwards has defeated the elite, including two separate victories over Kamaru Usman.

“I respect the fact that he beat Usman,” Muhammad said. “He was at the top of the division and he beat him twice. But Saturday night I have no respect. I’m going to put my hands on his face and his body and break him.”

This is Edwards’ third defense of the belt. He last competed in December, when he plowed through Covington. Muhammad, however, has not fought since May 2023, a long time since beating Gilbert Burns.

Even though he may be out of the cage for an extended period of time, Muhammad believes he is ready to make history in the cage.

“Expect the best version of myself,” Muhammad said. “I’m going to show the world that I’m the best welterweight that’s ever done it, and I’m going to lift that belt high.”