UFC 304 social media reactions: Belal Muhammad's title win over Leon Edwards leaves mixed feelings from fighters

Belal Muhammad backed up an incredible amount of smack talk towards Leon Edwards by claiming the welterweight title in the UFC 304 main event.

After their March 2021 fight ended in a no contest due to an accidental eye poke, Muhammad (24-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) has insisted he was going to win that fight. It took him years to get the opportunity, but he showed there was credence behind his words with a unanimous decision win over Edwards (21-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) to add his name into the history books of 170-pound champions, which includes legendary names.

To make things even sweeter, Muhammad entered enemy territory Saturday at Co-op Live in Manchester, England, and took the belt on Edwards’ home soil.

Check below for the top X (formerly Twitter) reactions to Muhammad beating Edwards at UFC 304.

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MMA Junkie

Aaron Bronsteter

If Belal Muhammad wins this bout, he will be the oldest fighter to defeat a defending champion in any weight class 170 pounds and below.

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) July 28, 2024

Luke Thomas

Muhammad gets a simple double less than 20 seconds into the first round.

— Luke Thomas🏋️‍♀️ (@lthomasnews) July 28, 2024

Alan Jouban

Mookie Alexander

Edwards clearly got hurt by that left hook. Stopped him in his tracks.

— Mookie Alexander (@mookiealexander) July 28, 2024

Damon Martin

10-9 Belal Muhammad after R1

It looked like Leon got wobbled towards the end of that round before the takedown. Need to watch that again #UFC304

— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) July 28, 2024

Ben Fowlkes

That’s a great first round for Belal. Stung Edwards on the feet and had him way behind on that last takedown.

— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) July 28, 2024

Terrance McKinney

Belal is lookin sharp out there 10-9 round for him #ufc304

— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) July 28, 2024

Ben Askren

Good 1st round for Belal! Both had their moments but multiple TDs and pressure win the round 10-9

— Funky (@Benaskren) July 28, 2024

Henry Cejudo

10-9 Belal. Leon needs to throw more feints to keep Belal from shooting #UFC304

— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) July 28, 2024

Megan Anderson

Belal is giving Leon some big problems on the feet rn 👀 #ufc304

— Megan Anderson (@MeganAnderson) July 28, 2024

Caposa

So uhh this is actually a good fight so far

— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) July 28, 2024

Alan Jouban

That was a beautiful takedown off the pummel

— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 28, 2024

Derek Brunson

Belal Nurmagomedov 😂😂😂

— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) July 28, 2024

Henry Cejudo

Ryan Clark

Alan Jouban

Michael Chandler

Mike Bohn

Fairytale start for Belal Muhammad through 10 minutes. Seems to have Leon Edwards thrown off his game. #UFC304

— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) July 28, 2024

Jose Youngs

20-18 Belal Muhammad. He is making this an ugly fight #UFC304

— José Youngs (@JoseYoungs) July 28, 2024

Nolan King

Now suddenly Edwards has Muhammad’s back in Round 3 and is looking for a RNC with over three minutes to work #UFC304

— Nolan King (@mma_kings) July 28, 2024

Brendan Schaub

Leon Edwards looks like he doesn’t want to be in there tonight. @bullyb170 making this look like an episode of Bully beat down these first two rounds #ufc304

— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) July 28, 2024

Luke Thomas

Muhammad trying to get lower head position to the mat to facilitate the turn and reversal.

— Luke Thomas🏋️‍♀️ (@lthomasnews) July 28, 2024

Danny Segura

29-28, Belal Muhammad. It’s getting interesting. #UFC304

— Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) July 28, 2024

Alan Jouban

Ben Askren

Slick grappling by Leon in R3 gives him an easy round! 29-28

Leon’s back control is elite.

— Funky (@Benaskren) July 28, 2024

Terrance McKinney

Michael Chandler

Great main event so far… a plethora of martial arts… both guys pursuing their strengths. #ufc304

— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) July 28, 2024

Sean Sheehan

3-1 Belal. Leon Edwards needs a fifth round finish, or a 10-8, to retain his title. #UFC304

— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) July 28, 2024

Mike Bohn

Leon Edwards’ corner tells him he need a finish in Round 5 to defend against Belal Muhammad. I agree. #UFC304

— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) July 28, 2024

Ben Askren

Another easy round to score, 39-37 Belal. Leon needs a finish to win this fight.

— Funky (@Benaskren) July 28, 2024

Terrance McKinney

Damn the coaching styles are so different between rounds #ufc304

— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) July 28, 2024

Jose Youngs

The crowd is starting to file out in Macnehster #UFC304

— José Youngs (@JoseYoungs) July 28, 2024

Michael Chandler

Round 5 has been Edward’s Cinderella man round in the past. But truly I feel his reign has been largely uncontested.

— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) July 28, 2024

Alan Jouban

MMA Junkie

Anthony Pettis

Henry Cejudo

Congrats to Belal for sticking to his game plan and having a dominant performance! #UFC304

— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) July 28, 2024

MMA Junkie

Kamaru Usman

Michael Chandler

Even @dc_mma brain was confused… but this is the game we chose….

— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) July 28, 2024

Shavkat Rakhmonov

Congratulations on your well-deserved victory, @bullyb170! I hope you keep your word and defend your title against me when you’re ready, champ

— Shavkat “Nomad” Rakhmonov (@Rakhmonov1994) July 28, 2024

This article was originally published by Usatoday.com. Read the original article here.