Belal Muhammad Says Leon Edwards Will Wait 3-4 Years For Rematch

UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad has thrown cold water on Leon Edwards’ hopes for an immediate title rematch, stating that the former champion will have to wait several years before getting another shot at the belt.

Muhammad Dismisses Edwards’ Title Aspirations

In a recent statement, Muhammad addressed the upcoming fight between Edwards and Sean Brady, scheduled for March 22 at UFC Fight Night 255 in London. Despite Edwards’ claims that a win over Brady would put him in line for a title shot, Muhammad was quick to shut down that notion.

😬Belal Muhammad said neither Leon Edwards nor Sean Brady will get the next title fight:

“Leon, you have 3-4 years before you can even think about the rematch…

Like I have another guy in line anyway, I think it’s a Shavkat. There is nothing he can do to skip Shavkat.”

🎥… pic.twitter.com/rpVTezf704

— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) March 4, 2025

“Leon, you have 3-4 years before you can even think about the rematch,” Muhammad stated, effectively putting Edwards’ title aspirations on hold. The champion’s words come as a stark contrast to Edwards’ recent assertions that his fight with Brady would serve as a title eliminator.

Muhammad’s dismissal of Edwards’ immediate title hopes stems from his dominant performance in their previous encounter at UFC 304, where he dethroned Edwards to claim the welterweight championship. The one-sided nature of that fight seems to have convinced Muhammad that Edwards needs significant time to work his way back into contention.

The Road Ahead for Both Fighters

While Edwards prepares for his bout against Brady, Muhammad has his sights set on other contenders in the division. “Like I have another guy in line anyway, I think it’s a Shavkat. There is nothing he can do to skip Shavkat,” Muhammad explained, referring to the rising star Shavkat Rakhmonov.

Muhammad’s focus on Rakhmonov aligns with the UFC’s previous plans. The champion was originally scheduled to defend his title against Rakhmonov at UFC 315 in Montreal on May 10. However, an injury to Rakhmonov forced a change in plans.

Belal Muhammad will defend his UFC welterweight title against Jack Della Maddalena in the main event at UFC 315 in Montreal, Dana White announced. pic.twitter.com/YwFREQsZyA

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) February 20, 2025

For Edwards, the path back to title contention appears to be longer and more arduous than he might have anticipated. His upcoming fight against Brady now takes on even greater significance, as a convincing win could help sway public and UFC opinion in his favor.

The tension between Muhammad and Edwards has been building since their first encounter in March 2021, which ended in a no-contest due to an accidental eye poke by Edwards. Since then, their careers have taken dramatically different trajectories, culminating in Muhammad’s championship victory.

Muhammad’s recent comments have added fuel to an already heated rivalry. The champion’s assertion that Edwards needs years before being considered for a rematch is likely to motivate the former titleholder as he prepares for his upcoming bout.

As the welterweight division continues to evolve, Muhammad’s reign as champion faces new challenges. His focus on potential contenders like Rakhmonov demonstrates the depth of talent in the weight class and the constant pressure on champions to defend their titles against worthy opponents.

For now, Edwards must concentrate on his immediate challenge in Sean Brady, knowing that a spectacular performance could accelerate his timeline back to title contention, regardless of Muhammad’s current stance. The world of MMA is known for its unpredictability, and a single impressive victory could dramatically alter the landscape of the welterweight division.

As this rivalry continues to unfold, fight fans can expect more verbal sparring between Muhammad and Edwards, adding intrigue to an already compelling welterweight title picture. Whether Edwards can prove Muhammad wrong and force his way back into the title conversation sooner than expected remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the road to the welterweight championship is as competitive and contentious as ever.