Belal Muhammad, the surging welterweight contender, finally gets his chance to settle the score with the division's reigning kingpin, Leon Edwards, this Saturday (27 July 2024) at UFC 304 inside Co-Op Live in Manchester, England.
At 36 years old, Muhammad is on the cusp of a lifetime opportunity. While not the most popular contender, his impressive 10-fight unbeaten streak is undeniable. What sets Muhammad apart is his ability to adapt his fighting style and tactics to suit each opponent. Whether facing the grappling maestro Demian Maia or the striking sensation Stephen Thompson, Muhammad has demonstrated a remarkable capacity to adjust his approach, seamlessly shifting between elusive and aggressive tactics. This adaptability, rare at the highest level, has been the key to maximising his potential.
But is this enough to claim the championship? Let's delve deeper into Muhammad's skillset:
Striking:
Muhammad's striking game isn't defined by raw power or speed, but rather by relentless work rate and consistent output. He's a tireless worker, peppering opponents with strikes throughout the fight. From a predominantly orthodox stance, Muhammad utilises kicks from both legs, with his lead leg showcasing particular speed and snap. Whether circling or pressuring, Muhammad expertly changes direction and timing to land kicks. His boxing is solid, with high guard and effective combinations. He displayed his striking prowess against Sean Brady, despite taking some punishment in that fight. His ability to land 1-2 combinations and close with a stiff jab, culminating in a knockout with a sudden overhand right, showcased his striking intelligence.
While solid boxing and a decent left kick aren't enough to make a standout striker at 170 pounds, Muhammad's strategic intelligence elevates his game. He understands his strengths and weaknesses, as well as the nuances of style and stance matchups. This strategic approach guides his choice of pressure or evasive tactics, making him a consistently effective striker.
Muhammad's victories over Lyman Good and Vicente Luque highlight this adaptability. Against these power-punching opponents, Muhammad avoided a head-on clash, instead relying on his kicks and direction changes to frustrate his foes. He often concealed potshot punches behind these movements, keeping his opponents off balance and preventing them from setting their feet. When caught in a compromising position, Muhammad's wrestling offered a reliable escape route.
In contrast, Muhammad's more direct, "bully" tactics against Brady, Dhiego Lima, and others leveraged his toughness and conditioning. His good decision-making in pressure situations, effective feints, and high guard were crucial in these fights. His willingness to target the body and punish opponents' attempts to reset along the fence further showcased his aggression.
Both these strategies require considerable stamina, but Muhammad's cardio allows him to maintain a relentless pace.
Defensively, however, Muhammad has some weaknesses. Brady's in-and-out movement posed a challenge, although Brady couldn't keep up with Muhammad's relentless pace. Additionally, Muhammad's kick defence needs improvement, a potential issue against Edwards, who will undoubtedly seek to exploit this weakness with his kicks from range.
Wrestling:
Muhammad's improved wrestling, evident in his victories over Thompson and Maia, reflects his training with Khabib Nurmagomedov. He employs two distinct takedown styles: open space and against the fence. While he favours the double-leg shot in both scenarios, there are differences in execution. In the centre of the cage, he prefers a more traditional MMA-style running double. His ability to cut the corner effectively often leaves his opponents scrambling to sprawl, but this can lead to them being taken to the back instead. Simultaneous shot-trips, utilised effectively against Sato, are another weapon in his arsenal.
Along the fence, Muhammad drops lower, often hitting both knees on the canvas, to get beneath his opponent's underhooks. He then rebuilds back to his feet before completing the takedown.
Muhammad's takedowns are often finished with powerful lifts. In high-crotch or head outside double leg positions, he applies the "golf club swing" technique, rotating his body and lifting his opponent onto his shoulder.
His best wrestling display undoubtedly came against Thompson. Muhammad cleverly cut off the cage, pushing Thompson towards the fence. Once trapped, he changed levels and forced a grimy wrestling match. While he often had to rely on the single leg, a position that strikers like "Wonderboy" typically use to thwart takedowns, Muhammad countered with good posture, keeping his hips close to Thompson and the fence. From this position, he could continue with the golf club swing lift or elevate Thompson and attempt a Khabib-style trip.
His single leg defence was exceptional against Maia. He consistently countered Maia's shots by clubbing his head to the inside position and getting his back to the fence, making back takes more difficult. He then controlled Maia's wrists, using a two-hands-on-one technique to prevent transitions, allowing him to land small but effective strikes before freeing his leg and returning to open space.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu:
A purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muhammad is not a prolific submission grappler, but he's adept at transitioning to the back. His lone submission win came via a rear-naked choke.
His mat strategy is clear: he's generally looking to secure back mount. He's well-positioned to initiate hooks after cutting the corner on a double-leg shot. However, his back-taking is often a product of necessity, as it's challenging to hold down skilled opponents.
Muhammad often opts to take his chances with hooks rather than forcing another takedown attempt if his opponent can wall walk. However, his ability to gain both hooks and control opponents after a takedown underscores his proficiency in this area. His best position against "Wonderboy" came when he jumped on his back and immediately flattened him out with hip pressure, nearly securing a stoppage with strikes.
Conclusion:
Muhammad is a fighter who adapts expertly to each opponent, but Edwards presents a tough stylistic matchup. Edwards is a more refined kickboxer, meaning "Bully" must rely heavily on his wrestling and pressure tactics, walking through punishment to find success. This promises to be an exciting and unpredictable contest.
Don't miss the epic clash! UFC 304: "Edwards vs. Belal 2" is available on ESPN+.
