Leon Edwards (left) (image via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Belal Muhammad may not be a top ten ranked welterweight, but it seems clear that Leon Edwards will call for a title shot, if he’s victorious at UFC Vegas 21.

Edwards was originally scheduled to face rising star, Khamzat Chimaev at today’s card. But, the latter continues to recover COVID-19 complications and had to withdraw. Muhammad agreed to take the fight following his decision win over Dhiego Lima last month.

As the fight approaches, Edwards (18-3) is ranked #3 in the UFC’s welterweight division and Muhammad (18-3 is #13. While talking to MMA Fighting recently, however, Edwards made his case for why a win today, should deliver a title shot.

“After this fight, that’s nine fights in a row,” Edwards said. “That’s the third most [wins] in the welterweight history of the promotion. I truly believe so. Everyone else had their go, had their chance to fight for a title and they all came up short. Colby [Covington] got stopped. [Gilbert] Burns got stopped. [Jorge] Masvidal got grounded out. So I feel I’ve worked my way back up. I’ve earned this spot and I truly believe I deserve the next shot at the title.

“When I go out there and look good and put Belal away and call out Kamaru Usman, like you said, I’m in the perfect position to jump the line and give me what I deserve. What I’ve been deserving. It’s not like I’ve only got one or two wins. This is my ninth win in a row. So I truly believe I deserve it and hopefully after this fight, we got to the UFC and see what’s on the table.”

The last man to defeat Edwards is the current welterweight champ Usman, who recorded a decision win over the contender in 2015.