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Colby Covington and Leon Edwards are all set to headline UFC 296, where the defending welterweight champion, Edwards, will have to guard his title against the American sensation. Much in UFC fashion, both fighters have been trading verbal jabs, leading to this anticipated match. However, just before the bout, an unlikely figure delivered a reality check to both athletes.

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Belal Muhammad is of the opinion that neither Covington nor Edwards deserves the champion status as both of the athletes are highly inactive. Let us dig in to understand why Muhammad thinks that way.

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Belal Muhammad calls out Colby Covington and Leon Edwards

Belal Muhammad thinks that Leon Edwards being a champion and inactive is a disgrace. He also believes that Colby Covington doesn’t deserve the title shot. Muhammad emphasized that Edwards has just fought 4 times since 2021, and on the other hand, Covington has fought twice.

Muhammad recently took to his X ( Formerly Twitter) handle to offer a reality check to both fighters just days before their faceoff. The welterweight fighter said “Two most inactive bums in welterweight. Leon’s fought four times since 2021. Colby’s fought twice… I fought 7 times…”

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Interestingly, the UFC has chosen Bellal Muhammad to be the backup fighter if any of the fighters pull out. When the UFC approached Muhammad with a proposal to be the backup fighter, he was quick to jump to the occasion.

Muhammad will be the backup fighter for the Covington vs. Edwards match

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The 35-year-old fighter is unbeaten in his last 10 fights. Muhammad’s last 10 fights were all close calls but in the end, it was his win. He fought against Edwards too but the fight ended with a no-contest tag due to Edwards’s illegal poke to Muhammad’s eye. The fighter has since been pushing for a title fight but UFC had other plans for him- the backup fighter for the UFC 296 main event.

Read More: Leon Edwards Exposes Colby Covington and Parallels His Loop Holes With Kamaru Usman in Major Confession Before UFC 296- “Boxing Wrestling Kind of Style”

While in conversation with the MMA Junkie, Muhammad claimed, “They just hit me up Friday, asked me if I’m willing to weigh in for next week,” Muhammad said. “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.”

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With Muhammad weighing in as the backup fighter, do you expect to witness Muhammad getting a title shot soon? Tell us about your opinion in the comments below.

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Written by

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Suryakant Das

3,440 Articles

Suryakant Das is a senior writer who leads UFC live coverage at EssentiallySports, known for his broad expertise and standout professionalism in MMA journalism. Over two years in the field, he has become a key voice on real-time event updates, pre- and post-fight interviews, and analysis of viral moments from the Joe Rogan Experience. His dynamic reporting is backed by selection to the Journalistic Excellence Program, which hones advanced editorial skills and strategic coverage approaches for top talent. Suryakant’s career is defined by his ability to deliver both speed and depth. His versatile background spans sports journalism, content writing, and editorial roles, helping him navigate fast-paced live coverage and deliver meaningful stories with clarity and precision. Recognition from respected MMA figures such as Nina-Marie Daniele and Hall of Famer Michael Bisping further marks him as a trusted authority in the UFC community.

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Joyita Das

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