
The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to Las Vegas for another highly anticipated UFC fight card. And UFC Odds are now available. We read on for our complete fighter preview, skillset analysis, and prediction for the UFC in Vegas 21.
Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad
UFC Welterweight Bout
UFC in Vegas 21 takes place on Saturday 13th March live from the UFC Apex Centre in Las Vegas on ESPN+.
Leon Edwards (18-3-0)
The MMA world for English fight fans has been bleak since Michael Bisping’s retirement and the slight downfall of Darren Till, but Leon’ Rocky’ Edwards gives UK fans hope of claiming yet another world championship title.
The number three ranked welterweight has taken a nearly two-year layoff, canceled bouts, and one scheduled fight with rising star Khamzat Chimaev entered its third cancellation between 2020 and 2021. Now the fight is scraped, and Edwards has found a replacement opponent in Belal Muhammad.
The last time Edwards was in the cage, he took a unanimous decision victory of the former UFC lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos. He came close to fighting another former champion in Tyron Woodley, but the dreaded coronavirus caused a cancellation.
Edwards was born in Jamaica, raised in Birmingham, England. Since his teenage years, he’s been training multiple disciplines and is known for his complete mixed martial arts skillset. Edwards can strike (Muay Thai preferred); he can also wrestle offensively and defensively to a level that most British fighters struggle with.
Edwards MMA Successes
- UFC Performance of the Night X1
- A second-fastest knockout in welterweight history (00:08 seconds of the first round)
- Tied latest finish in a 3-round fight (4:59 of the third round)
- BAMMA RDX welterweight champion (One defense)
Leon Edwards odds @ -250 for online sports betting
Belal Muhammad (18-3-0)
Belal Muhammad has everything to gain and nothing to lose as the late replacement for Khamzat Chimaev. Belal is currently ranked 13th in the UFC welterweight division and is riding a 4-fight win streak; a successive weekend could produce a top ten ranking.
Belal has competed three times since Leon Edwards last made the walk; both men’s activity has been the polar opposite, with Belal competing just four weeks ago.
Belal explained to the media what the fight game means to him: “I am a Palestinian Muslim-American, born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. My family is originally from Al-Bireh, Palestine. I would consider myself to be very family-oriented with a lot of devotion and respect for the sport of MMA. My ultimate goal in my career is to take home the belt as the best welterweight champion in the world, inshallah.”
Belal has the mental edge (in my opinion) with less at risk; a loss for Leon could dramatically affect his route to a title opportunity that he’s already earned (in my opinion).
Belal Muhammad MMA Accomplishments
- Performance of the Night X1
- Fight of the Night X1
- Titan FC Welterweight Champion X1
Belal Muhammad Odds @ +215 for sports betting
Leon’ Rocky’ Edwards vs Belal ‘Remember the Name’ Muhammad Prediction
The comparison in styles is uncanny, two fighters with many MMA attributes that seemingly matchup on paper. Neither of the two dominate one area of the fight game, but they both complete martial artists with the ability to fight standing or on the ground.
The bookmaker favors Edwards, and given his previous accomplishments inside the UFC, it is no surprise. The one worry falls into the ring rust category, has time off affected Edwards for better or for worse?
Seeking the betting value here is tough, and although we anticipate Edwards to claim his 9th straight victory, the bookmakers are not offering an incentive with such low odds. To gather some value, you will have to bet Edwards or Belal and their method of victory.
A five-round fight with two fighters that are known to pace themselves should provide a contest that reaches the championship rounds.
UFC in Vegas 21 Betting Prediction: Leon Edwards via Decision
UFC IN VEGAS 21 MAIN CARD ON ESPN & ESPN+
- Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad [ufc welterweight bout]
- Ryan Spann vs. Misha Cirkunov [ufc light heavyweight bout]
- Eryk Anders vs. Darren Stewart [ufc middleweight bout]
- Matheus Nicolau vs Manel Cape [ufc flyweight bout]
- Dan Ige vs. Gavin Tucker [ufc featherweight bout]
- Angela Hill vs Ashley Yoder [female strawweight bout]