Leon Edwards not impressed by back-up fighter for title bout: “That’s easy work”

Belal Muhammad and Leon Edwards. Photo credit left: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via USA TODAY Sports and Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports

No. 2 ranked Belal Muhammad is the official backup fighter for the UFC 296 main event between champion Leon “Rocky” Edwards and Colby “Chaos” Covington.

The champion previously clashed with Muhammad in 2021 with the fight ending in a no contest after an accidental eye poke from Edwards.

“They just hit me up Friday, asked me if I’m willing to weigh in for next week,” Muhammad recently told MMA Junkie about being a back up. “I think obviously they know Colby and Leon are the two most inactive welterweights in the division. Neither of these guys likes to fight. They’re both good at running. So just to be on the safe side, they called the dude that always steps up whenever needed.”

“For me, I was training this whole time regardless just in case something happened.”

Read more: UFC 296: Edwards vs. Covington – Fight Card, Start Time & How to Watch

Leon Edwards is not impressed

When the champion heard that Muhammad is the back-up he didn’t seem that impressed.

“Is he the No. 1 contender? I don’t know. Would I fight him again? Absolutely,” Edwards said. “That’s easy work. That’s easy money. If he is the guy next, he’s the guy. But does anyone want to see that? Probably not but if he’s the guy, then I’ll happily silence him.”

UFC 296 takes place on Saturday December 16 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Read more: Former two-division champ Henry Cejudo returns for massive fight at UFC 298

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