Muhammad calls out Edwards, says Covington fight 'was a joke to the division'

Welterweight contender Belal Muhammad wasn't impressed with what he saw at UFC 296.

Muhammad appeared on Saturday's pay-per-view broadcast to react to 170-pound champion Leon Edwards' unanimous decision win over Colby Covington in the main event.

"Honestly, it was a joke to the division," Muhammad told ESPN reporter Megan Olivi. "That's what happens when you get a bum off the couch who's been off for two years, who didn't deserve the shot. He goes out there, and he didn't back up the talk.

"For Leon Edwards, you should've backed up your talk, too. From what Colby said, he deserved to have his jaw broken. And I thought Leon should've went out there, he should've embarrassed him and put it on him."

Muhammad, who's ranked No. 2 in the division and has gone unbeaten in 10 consecutive fights, wasted no time in calling his shot. He wants to challenge Edwards next, and he believes he'll "bully him" when they square off in the Octagon.

Muhammad served as the backup fighter for Edwards-Covington at UFC 296.

"I think the UFC knows who's next," Muhammad said. "I need to get in there. I need to make the welterweight division great again. Because I'm gonna come to fight every single fight. I'm gonna be in your face nonstop, 100%. There's not gonna be no breathing at all for Leon Edwards."

However, Edwards isn't convinced Muhammad should be his next opponent. "Rocky" defended his belt for the second time Saturday and has been champion since August 2022.

"There are definitely other options," Edwards said, courtesy of MMA Junkie. "I don't feel like Belal should be next. I've done it before: I've won like 10 fights in a row, didn't get a title shot. So what makes him different or more privileged? Colby's already skipped the line. ... So let's see who's next."

But whether it's Muhammad or someone else, Edwards anticipates the same result.

"This is my era now, and I will keep reigning," Edwards said. "Whoever's next, it doesn't matter. They're all similar styles anyway. They're all boxer wrestlers. I've built my career on it. Whoever comes next, it's whatever."

Muhammad said he wants to face Edwards as soon as possible.

"He didn't take no damage at all," Muhammad said, adding: "I hope he doesn't go on his long tour again. He's very inactive. Stay in the gym, stay ready to go, bro. Whenever you're ready, I'm ready."