Leon Edwards, Belal Muhammad’s Next Best Fights After UFC 304 Results

Alex BallentineJuly 28, 2024Leon Edwards, Belal Muhammad’s Next Best Fights After UFC 304 Results0 of 2

Belal Muhammad and Leon EdwardsChris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Belal Muhammad has been campaigning for a welterweight title shot for years. Now, he can say he was right all along after claiming the championship with a unanimous decision win over Leon Edwards in the main event from UFC 304.

The win brings plenty of validation to Muhammad and his accomplishments in the cage. But the challenges won’t stop now that he’s the titleholder.

The welterweight division is in a state of transition. The likes of Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington might be fading out of the picture, but there are a handful of intriguing fighters coming down the pike.

Here, we’ll take a look at what could be coming next for the new champion as well as the dethroned one. Edwards and Muhammad are the now the elder statesmen of the division, but there are some potentially intriguing matchups to make next.

Belal Muhammad’s Possible Opponents1 of 2

A trilogy bout could be in orderChris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Leon EdwardsShavkat RakhmonovJack Della MaddalenaMuhammad is finally the UFC champion after his long-awaited title shot. Holding onto the belt won’t be easy, though. There are a few options for his first title defense and none will be easy outs.

The most obvious choice could be a rematch with Edwards. Both Edwards and Muhammad have a long resume of being the best in the welterweight division. Rocky isn’t quite at the level of the champions that have commanded immediate rematches, but back-to-back wins over Kamaru Usman and a win over Colby Covington make a strong case.

With the first fight between the two ending in a No Contest and Muhammad pulling off an upset in the rematch, there could be demand for a third fight right away.

If there isn’t, the next obvious contender at welterweight is Shavkat Rakhmonov. The 29-year-old is 18-0 with all 18 wins coming by either knockout or submission. The level of competition has been questionable. His most recent wins came against Geoff Neal and what’s left of Stephen Thompson.

However, it wouldn’t be hard for the UFC to market him as the next big thing in the division given his dominance.

If they want to go with another rising prospect who has been picking up solid wins then a matchup with Jack Della Maddalena could make sense. He is 17-2 with wins over Gilbert Burns and Kevin Holland in his last two fights.

Leon Edwards’ Possible Opponents2 of 2

Jack Della MaddalenaChris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Belal MuhammadJack Della MaddalenaIan Machado GarryIf Leon Edwards has a say, the rematch will be coming as soon as he’s ready to compete again. Rocky’s epic win streak didn’t just start when he won the title. This is his first loss since 2015 when he lost to Kamaru Usman.

Edwards should already be campaigning for a rematch and no one should bat an eye if he gets it.

If the UFC is inclined to give Muhammad another opponent, then it feels like it will be Shavkat Rakhmonov. That leaves Edwards potentially looking to get back to a title fight by taking out one of two rising prospects in the division.

Jack Della Maddalena might have a case for the title fight. His most recent wins were over arguably better competition than Rakhmonov.

Ian Machado Garry could be an intriguing next step for the now former champion. Garry just notched a win over Michael Page and the 26-year-old is 15-0. A win over Edwards would vault him into the next level.

A win for Edwards would prove that he still belong among the best in the division.