LEON EDWARDS is looking forward to putting the Belal Muhammad chapter of his career behind him and continuing his journey to become MMA’s greatest-ever welterweight.
The Brummie will make the third defence of his 170lbs title in the main event of UFC 304 in Manchester early tomorrow morning.
Edwards, 32, rematches the Palestinian-born American a little over three years after their first meeting in Las Vegas ended in a No-Contest due to an accidental eye poke.
‘Rocky’ came close to ending the fight moments before he inadvertently gouged Muhammad’s right eye and plans to finish the job he started in Sin City in devastating fashion.
Edwards said: “He’s the one that messed up my win streak.
“I feel like going out there on Saturday night and finally shutting him up and moving on with my career.”
He added: “I believe I’m better than him anywhere the fight goes, with my mentality and the way I understand the game.
“My IQ in mixed martial arts is miles ahead of him and it will show on fight night.
“This guy has been saying my name for a long time, so it’s extra motivation to go out there and whip him.
“Come fight night in Manchester, he’s going to have a lot to answer for.
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“I’m going to go out there and finish him.”
Edwards is chasing George St-Pierre‘s record of nine title defence and sees Muhammad and the rest of the up-and-comers in the division as stepping stones on his path to greatness.
He said: “All these fights are important for my legacy.
“Belal will count as much as beating the likes of Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Garry.
“Because when it’s all said and done and I’m looking back at my career and I’m on a ten-fight defence streak, he’s going to be part of the ten.
“You have to take him seriously and I am.”
Muhammad, 36, enters his first title fight in the form of his career thanks to five wins on the bounce but is still a huge underdog.
But ‘Remember The Name’ is relishing that status and silencing what will be a raucous crowd at the brand-spanking-new Co-op Live Arena.
He told SunSport: “I’m looking forward to coming to enemy territory and taking the belt.
“With my journey, the way I’ve fought and the people I’ve had to fight, it was meant to be like this.
“It was meant for me to go out there on enemy territory with the world thinking there is no chance it’s going to happen.
“This is my ‘Rocky’ story.
“It’s going to be,’ And new.’ There is going to be a new champion.
“I’m going to go out there and the world is going to be surprised how easy I make it look.”
