Belal Muhammad Eagerly Awaits His Title Shot as Backup for UFC 296's Main Event

With an unyielding drive for championship glory, Belal Muhammad sets the stage for his long-awaited title opportunity, stepping in as the backup for the UFC 296 main event featuring Leon Edwards defending the welterweight title against Colby Covington.

A testament to Muhammad's relentless pursuit of the welterweight championship, his role as the backup for the upcoming title clash between Edwards and Covington at UFC 296 underscores his unwavering determination to seize the coveted title shot.

Riding a remarkable ten-fight unbeaten streak, Muhammad's commitment to attaining championship status is evident as he stands ready to hit the scales and weigh in as a contingency plan, poised to step in should an unforeseen circumstance sideline either Edwards or Covington.

Sources close to the situation confirmed Muhammad's role as the backup, a move that aligns with his unyielding resolve to secure his shot at gold, following an impressive victory over Gilbert Burns earlier in the year. Despite assurances of becoming the division's No. 1 contender post that win, Covington's prior commitment to the title shot delayed Muhammad's path to the championship.

Eager to showcase his worthiness for the title, Muhammad now awaits his opportunity post-UFC 296, aiming for a showdown with the victor in 2024.

Edwards, in anticipation of his title defense, addressed Muhammad as a potential contender, acknowledging their previous clash that ended in a no-contest due to an accidental eye poke. Expressing a willingness to face Muhammad again, Edwards noted, 

"That’s easy work. That’s easy money. If he is the guy next, he’s the guy. But does anyone want to see that? Probably not but if he’s the guy, then I’ll happily silence him."

While Muhammad remains vigilant as the backup for the main event, former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno will serve as the contingency for the co-main event, where Alexandre Pantoja defends his title against Brandon Royval. 

As the stage is set for UFC 296, Muhammad stands at the ready, determined to solidify his status as the rightful challenger for the welterweight throne.