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The best MMA bets, top DFS picks across multiple sites, and predictions for UFC London are live on RotoWire before Saturday's international event.
UFC London takes place Saturday, so it's time to break down the top fights, plus make DFS picks and predictions for the key matchups on the card.
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Withdraws from UFC 310
Muhammad (foot) withdrew from his scheduled championship defense against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 on Dec. 7, according to Mike Heck of MMAFighting.com.
ANALYSIS
Muhammad is dealing with a bone infection in one of his feet. He will not be able to undergo any physical activity for six weeks, rendering him incapable of fighting Rakhmonov on Dec. 7. Then was supposed to be Muhammad's first defense of his UFC Welterweight Championship. It is unclear if Rakhmonov will be given a new opponent or if he will wait for Muhammad to recover for a championship fight down the line in 2025.
Muhammad is dealing with a bone infection in one of his feet. He will not be able to undergo any physical activity for six weeks, rendering him incapable of fighting Rakhmonov on Dec. 7. Then was supposed to be Muhammad's first defense of his UFC Welterweight Championship. It is unclear if Rakhmonov will be given a new opponent or if he will wait for Muhammad to recover for a championship fight down the line in 2025.
Scheduled against Rakhmonov
Muhammad will fight Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 on Dec. 7, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Muhammad defeated Leon Edwards at UFC 304 in July to claim the welterweight title, and he'll now look to defend his title against Rakhmonov, who boasts a perfect 18-0 record as a professional (6-0 in UFC).
Muhammad defeated Leon Edwards at UFC 304 in July to claim the welterweight title, and he'll now look to defend his title against Rakhmonov, who boasts a perfect 18-0 record as a professional (6-0 in UFC).
New UFC 170-pound king
Muhammad won the UFC Welterweight Championship on Saturday, defeating Leon Edwards via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) at UFC 304 in Manchester, England.
ANALYSIS
Muhammad deserves full marks for his performance. He went out and did exactly what he said he was going to do. He constantly pressured Edwards on the feet, winning many of the striking exchanges between the two. The constant pressure had Leon worrying about the level change, and Belal responded by landing seven of eight takedowns over the course of the first 15 minutes alone. His lone poor round was the third, when Edwards landed a takedown of his own and Muhammad spent more than four minutes on his back. Yet, Belal got right back on the horse and pinned Leon to the mat the vast majority of the final two rounds. Muhammad did eat a massive elbow with about 30 seconds left, but he had already done enough to lock up the decision. Belal's style of fighting isn't visually pleasing, but between his wrestling, improved striking and elite cardio, he's a problem for any welterweight on the UFC roster. As if winning the belt wasn't enough, Muhammad gets his revenge on Edwards following the accidental eye poke which resulted in the first fight between the two being deemed a no-contest back in March of 2021.
Muhammad deserves full marks for his performance. He went out and did exactly what he said he was going to do. He constantly pressured Edwards on the feet, winning many of the striking exchanges between the two. The constant pressure had Leon worrying about the level change, and Belal responded by landing seven of eight takedowns over the course of the first 15 minutes alone. His lone poor round was the third, when Edwards landed a takedown of his own and Muhammad spent more than four minutes on his back. Yet, Belal got right back on the horse and pinned Leon to the mat the vast majority of the final two rounds. Muhammad did eat a massive elbow with about 30 seconds left, but he had already done enough to lock up the decision. Belal's style of fighting isn't visually pleasing, but between his wrestling, improved striking and elite cardio, he's a problem for any welterweight on the UFC roster. As if winning the belt wasn't enough, Muhammad gets his revenge on Edwards following the accidental eye poke which resulted in the first fight between the two being deemed a no-contest back in March of 2021.
Finally gets title shot
Muhammad will face Leon Edwards for the welterweight title at UFC 304 in Manchester, England on July 27, per Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com.
ANALYSIS
Muhammad will head into the bout riding a nine-fight win streak dating back to 2019. Muhammad and Edwards previously entered the Octagon together in 2021, with the fight resulting in a No-Contest due to an eye poke from Edwards at the start of the second round. Muhammad will certainly have a tough task ahead of him as the five-foot-11 American will have to overcome both a size and reach disadvantage compared to the larger Edwards.
Muhammad will head into the bout riding a nine-fight win streak dating back to 2019. Muhammad and Edwards previously entered the Octagon together in 2021, with the fight resulting in a No-Contest due to an eye poke from Edwards at the start of the second round. Muhammad will certainly have a tough task ahead of him as the five-foot-11 American will have to overcome both a size and reach disadvantage compared to the larger Edwards.
Another easy win, title shot next
Muhammad defeated Gilbert Burns via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46) at UFC 288 on Saturday in Newark, New Jersey.
ANALYSIS
UFC President Dana White stated before the fight that winner here would get the next shot at the UFC Welterweight Championship, and that's certainly not going to change given how dominant Muhammad looked in this fight. Yes, Burns was compromised following an apparent late Round 1 shoulder injury, but Muhammad, who agreed to this fight just a few weeks ago, dominated from bell-to-bell. Belal's takedown defense is legendary, and he stuffed all four of Gilbert's takedown attempts. That allowed Muhammad to overwhelm Burns on the feet to a tune of 132-81 edge in total strikes landed. Belal's cardio is exceptional, he's tough as nails, and has zero holes in his game. He's a legitimate title contender at 170 pounds. Muhammad hasn't lost since January 2019, a span of ten fights. He's 9-0 (1NC) in that span, with the no-contest coming against current UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards in March 2021 right before Leon won the belt.
UFC President Dana White stated before the fight that winner here would get the next shot at the UFC Welterweight Championship, and that's certainly not going to change given how dominant Muhammad looked in this fight. Yes, Burns was compromised following an apparent late Round 1 shoulder injury, but Muhammad, who agreed to this fight just a few weeks ago, dominated from bell-to-bell. Belal's takedown defense is legendary, and he stuffed all four of Gilbert's takedown attempts. That allowed Muhammad to overwhelm Burns on the feet to a tune of 132-81 edge in total strikes landed. Belal's cardio is exceptional, he's tough as nails, and has zero holes in his game. He's a legitimate title contender at 170 pounds. Muhammad hasn't lost since January 2019, a span of ten fights. He's 9-0 (1NC) in that span, with the no-contest coming against current UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards in March 2021 right before Leon won the belt.