Timetable | 03:00 GMT Sunday, 28th July 2024 |
Prediction | Leon Edwards to Win! |
Odds | @1.41 |
Bookmaker | Betalright Sport |
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The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to the UK this weekend as Leon Edwards defends his Welterweight Championship against the in-form Bilal Muhammed. These two have done battle before, of course, with their previous bout in March 2021 ending in a no-contest after an errant eye poke rendered Muhammed unable to continue. ‘Rocky’ is the favourite to defend his title in Manchester, but his opponent has won five successive bouts since the pair last did battle and will arrive at UFC 304 in exceptional form. So, who do I think will prevail here, and what have Ireland’s best betting sites had to say?
🥊 Leon Edwards vs Bilal Muhammed Betting Odds
Edwards produced a dominant performance to defeat Colby Covington at UFC 296 in December 2023, as he defended his Welterweight Championship for the second time. He’s also the favourite to prevail again in Manchester, with his pre-fight odds of 1.41 implying a 70.92% probability of an Edwards victory. Conversely, underdog Muhammed can be backed in the win market at around 2.90, suggesting that he has just a 34.48% chance of becoming a world champion for the very first time.
Fighter | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Leon Edwards to Win | 1.40 | 1.41 | 1.41 | 1.41 |
Bilal Muhammed to Win | 2.90 | 2.90 | 2.90 | 2.90 |
Draw | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC |
💎 Leon Edwards Overview
Leon Edwards has fought almost exclusively at welterweight during his MMA career, with his record of 22 wins in 26 bouts demonstrating his exceptional ability and endurance. Although he has lost three times in MMA competition, these defeats occurred during his initial 13 bouts and he’s currently unbeaten in 13 fights since December 19th, 2015.
He won the UFC Welterweight belt at the first attempt in August 2022, following a devastating head-kick knockout of Kamaru Usman in the final round of their bout at UFC 278. This also saw Rocky earn the UFC ‘Performance of the Night’ and ‘Knockout of the Year,’ although only seven of his 22 career wins have come via way of stoppage (31.81%).
This victory was significant, as Usman had previously defeated Edwards by unanimous decision and remained the last man to beat the champion. Rocky then triumphed in the trilogy bout at UFC 286 in March 2023, grinding out a gruelling majority decision despite being deducted a point for grabbing the fence in round three.
After a bitter build-up to his last defence against Colby Covington, Edwards produced a superb display of controlled aggression to dominate his opponent and earn a unanimous decision after five rounds. Undoubtedly, he’ll arrive in Manchester high on confidence for this bout, especially as he also has a distinct height and reach advantage over his opponent.
🚀 Bilal Muhammed Overview
Muhammed is now 36 years old and will attempt his first-ever title shot on Saturday, but he’s also on a stellar run of form in the UFC and remains unbeaten in 10 bouts since January 19th, 2019. He has won nine of these fights while maintaining impressive levels of activity and has more than earned his shot at the welterweight title.
He really caught the eye at UFC 280, where he took on Sean Brady in Abu Dhabi on October 22nd, 2022. Here, Muhammed was simply too quick and powerful for the overmatched Brady, as he secured an impressive TKO amid a flurry of punches at 4:47 in the second round.
He then beat the seasoned Gilbert Burns by unanimous decision at UFC 288, in what was arguably his most impressive display to date. Burns is a veteran of the UFC and former welterweight title contender, while he has now won 22 of his 29 career bouts. However, Muhammed once again dominated with his consistently high output and striking ability in the early rounds, and Burns was unable to keep pace with his rival throughout.
Despite Muhammed’s relentless pressure and boxing skill, only five of his 23 MMA victories have been achieved by way of knockout (21.73%). So, he has a lower knockout percentage than his UFC 304 rival, although he does boast a slightly better takedown average than Edwards (1.98 vs 1.25).
⭐ Edwards vs Muhammad 2 Betting Offers
As you can see, the co-main event at UFC 304 will pit two in-form fighters against one another. They’re arguably the best welterweights on the planet at the moment, so this should be a high-quality bout that’s deceptively difficult to call. So, I’d recommend that you leverage any eligible free bet offers and bonuses ahead of the bout in order to maximise your bankroll and potential returns. Here’s a summary of the best offers!
Betting Site | Offer | Claim |
---|---|---|
Access a 100% first deposit match up to the value of €100 | Visit Directionbet Sport | |
Claim a 100% deposit match up to €250 when you wager €10 or more | Visit Betalright | |
Earn a 100% deposit match up to the value of €250 | Visit LegendPlay-Sports | |
Receive a 100% deposit match up to the value of €100 as a new customer | Visit Sportaza Sports |
🏆 Edwards vs Muhammad 2 Prediction
Although Muhammed typically likes to press forward from the outset, and Edwards is renowned as a slick counterpuncher, it was Rocky who took the initiative when these two first did battle on March 13th, 2021. In fact, he seemed to have very little regard for his opponents’ pace and striking ability, as he picked apart Muhammed at will and easily took the first round.
The bout was called off and classified as a no contest towards the end of the second round, but Edwards clearly believed that his speed, movement and reach advantage was too much for Muhammed to overcome. This is despite Muhammed producing a much higher frequency of significant strikes per bout, with Edwards seemingly much more precise in his work.
To this end, he boasts a significant strike accuracy of 59.36%, compared to just 50.31% for his high energy opponent. Although his takedown average is lower than Muhammed’s overall, Rocky has a submitted a higher percentage of his opponents and has managed to develop a highly effective wrestling game during the course of his career.
Ultimately, Edwards is younger and quicker, while he has a much superior all-round game. Interestingly, he was also able to let his hands go from the off when the two met previously in Las Vegas while easily slipping and countering Muhammed’s strikes. Sure, Muhammed’s durability and clinch work may prove more dangerous as the fight progresses, but I don’t expect him to gain the control he’ll need to get the win here.
In fact, he may struggle against the slick and ever-improving Rocky in Manchester, and I’m tipping Edwards to win via late stoppage.
My Prediction: 🏆 Leon Edwards to Win via Late Stoppage
❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Leon Edwards vs Bilal Muhammed
1️⃣ When is the Leon Edwards vs Bilal Muhammed Fight?
This UFC 304 co-main event is scheduled for Saturday, 27th July in Manchester. However, the main card will get underway at around 3am GMT on Sunday, 28th July, with cage walks for the clash between Edwards and Muhammed scheduled for around 05:30.
2️⃣ Where Can I Watch the Leon Edwards vs Bilal Muhammed Fight?
While US fans can watch this clash live on ESPN+, TNT Sports has broadcasting rights in the UK. The early preliminary bouts, which start at around 23:15 GMT on Saturday night, can also be watched on UFC Fight Pass.
3️⃣ Who Else is on the Edwards vs Muhammed Main Card?
The other co-main event at the Co-op Live in Manchester will see Tom Aspinall defend his interim heavyweight title against Curtis Blaydes. This is an enthralling bout that’s also difficult to call. Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett will also take on take on Bobby ‘King’ Green at middleweight, while Christian Leroy Duncan, Gregory Rodrigues, Arnold Allen and Giga Chikadze also feature on the UFC 304 main card.
4️⃣ Are There Any Other Leon Edwards vs Bilal Muhammed Betting Markets?
You can also access the over/under on how many rounds will be contested by Edwards and Muhammed or wager on whether the bout will go the distance. I certainly think there’s value in backing over 4.5 rounds being contested here, with Rocky most likely to win via late stoppage or a points decision.
✒️ Lewis Humphries – Expert Tipster
Lewis Humphries is an experienced sports writer and tipster from the UK. He writes regularly about the UFC, Champions League, Premier League, Serie A and other competitions, regularly delivering expert match predictions and betting insights. He also successfully predicted the winner of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, while accurately forecasting the outcome of several group stage and knockout games.
Lewis doesn't just stick to sports; you can also find plenty of casino gaming content. He's reviewed some of the world's leading online casino platforms, while creating blog posts and landing page content for various sports betting brands. His content has also been featured on a number of best betting sites, including Life Hack, Investopedia, Yahoo Finance and Business Insider. He also pens regular sports features for sites including 90 Minutes, Think Football Ideas and Sportsblog.