This was reported by prominent sports columnist Ariel Helwani.
“As Leon Edwards announced the day before, the plan is that he will defend his title at UFC 300,” the journalist wrote in a social media post. “The opponent he will face will be Belal Muhammad. Shavkat Rakhmonov was definitely on the list as well.”
The welterweight bout will be a rematch – in March 2021, their fight was ruled a no contest as the Brit poked the American in the eye with his finger at the start of the second round, leaving him unable to continue.
After that Leon Edwards defeated Nate Diaz in a challenger’s bout and then sensationally took the championship belt from Kamaru Usman, knocking out the Nigerian in the fifth round. Having defeated Usman by majority decision in the rematch, the Briton made his second successful title defense two weeks ago, winning a five-round unanimous decision over Colby Covington.
Belal Muhammad has reeled off five straight wins since fighting Edwards, winning a unanimous decision over former championship belt challenger Gilbert Burns in his last fight.