Declining Belal Muhammad as Next, Leon Edwards Get Honest on Fighting Michael ‘Venom’ Page in UK After UFC 296 Showdown- “Fair Play”

Leon Edwards beat Colby Covington in their UFC 296 encounter. The welterweight champion successfully defended his title for the second time at UFC’s last PPV card for 2023, winning a unanimous decision against ‘Chaos’.

After the fight, Edwards expressed great satisfaction at having defeated “coward” Colby Covington. And in the same press conference, the 32-year-old was asked about a potential fight with MMA star Michael ‘Venom’ Page, who has recently signed with the UFC.

Leon Edwards speaks about a potential MVP fight in England

On being asked whether a future fight against Page in the UK would sell out an arena, Edwards was unsure. ‘Venom’, like Edwards, hails from England and has become an MMA star in his stint at Bellator. The 36-year-old has an exciting, dynamic style and fights with flair and creativity. However, Edwards felt that it was too soon to talk about fighting Page, as he had just signed with the promotion.

“I don’t know [if a future fight with Michael ‘Venom’ Page in the UK would be a huge draw]. He just got to the UFC I don’t think he’s nowhere near a title shot. Yeah I don’t know, I think there’s way more people that are so more close to to shot than Paige, you know. But yeah fair play [to Page for signing with the UFC],” Edwards told reporters.

UFC boss Dana White announced the signing at the press conference after UFC 296. Page, who has won seven of his last eight fights (five by knockout), tried his hands at bare-knuckle boxing in the BKFC before signing with the UFC.

The 36-year-old will be thrown straight into the fire and will face a top-15-ranked fighter Kevin Holland on his debut at UFC 299 next year. And Edwards will be making his third title defense the same year. But the opponent is still uncertain based on Edward’s recent comments on the matter.

Leon Edwards reluctant to face Belal Muhammad next

#2-ranked welterweight Belal Muhammad deserves a title shot. The Palestinian has won his last nine bouts and even took (and won) a short-notice fight against Gilbert Burns earlier this year, putting the streak at risk. Clearly, he should be next for Edwards.

Read More: Leon Edwards Should Not Go for UFC MW Title Just Yet After Colby Covington Fight at UFC 296

However, the Englishman is not stoked at the prospect of fighting Muhammad, whom he fought to a no-contest draw in 2021. He stated he would fight the Palestinian if the UFC ordained it, but felt he had already proven he was a better fighter after their first 2021 encounter. “If I have to fight Belal, I’ll fight Belal. I feel like I’ve proven I’m way better than him anyway just from that one round,” Edwards told the press.

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