UFC 304 mailbag: Belal Muhammad silences the doubters, Tom Aspinall ascends, Paddy Pimblett delivers, plus more

UFC 304 took place last Saturday in Manchester, England, and a lot happened. Belal Muhammad caused an upset by dominating Leon Edwards to become the new welterweight champion. Tom Aspinall avenged his previous loss to Curtis Blaydes with a 60-second obliteration. Paddy Pimblett entered the lightweight top 15 by demolishing King Green. Muhammad Mokaev, despite being young, undefeated, and one of the best fighters in his weight class, got let go from the UFC.

There are many talking points this week, and we have lots of questions to address without writing a long novel.

Belal Muhammad, welterweight champion

“Is Belal on Paulo’s secret juice?”

To quote President Thomas J. Whitmore: “He did it! The son of a bitch did it!”

Belal Muhammad faced criticism while campaigning for his title shot and redemption against Leon Edwards, but he emerged as the welterweight champion through perseverance and dedication. It was a remarkable victory, showcasing his willpower and skill.

Belal’s determination and aggressive approach in the fight set him apart from Leon Edwards, who seemed unable to match his intensity.

Belal’s victory was more about willpower than physical attributes, a quality Paulo Costa would envy.

Fighting at 6 a.m.

“Is it fair to expect fighters to be able to perform optimally fighting at any time of day?”

After losing the title, Edwards mentioned feeling off leading up to the fight, possibly due to the early morning start. However, preparation and adjustments are key for fighters in such situations.

While the timing may pose challenges, fighters need to adapt and perform regardless of the circumstances.

Expectations are high for fighters, especially champions, to prepare adequately for fights, regardless of the time, ensuring a strong performance.

Belal’s first title defense

“Am I the asshole? Usman is the fight to make for Belal! Either Kamaru is back or a Belal win would legitimize his career like few other things would. Thoughts on this match up competitively and commercially?”

Usman may not be the ideal opponent for Belal’s first title defense, considering his recent track record and lack of relevant wins.

Muhammad should instead defend his title against Shavkat Rakhmonov, a promising undefeated fighter with a strong record.

Usman will need to prove himself in the welterweight division before earning another title shot.

Leon Edwards

“What are the chances Leon ever gets another shot at the belt?”

Leon Edwards has a 50/50 chance of getting another title shot, considering his age, former champion status, and talent.

While Edwards has some positives, such as being relatively young and skilled, there are challenges he must overcome to secure another title opportunity.

With mixed fan and promotion support, Edwards will need to win significant fights to earn a shot at the title again.

Rocky 2

A matchup between Leon Edwards and Jorge Masvidal would be both entertaining and beneficial for Edwards after his title loss.

The animosity between them and the potential for an exciting fight make this matchup appealing, setting it apart from other possibilities.

Retreating is just surrender

“In MMA, retreat is surrender.”

In MMA, fighting offensively and moving forward is crucial, as fighters who retreat often face defeat.

Leon Edwards’ willingness to move backward in his fight against Belal Muhammad resulted in his loss, highlighting the importance of aggression in combat sports.

Maintaining forward pressure and avoiding retreat is essential for success in MMA.

Science

“Can chickens be GOATs?”

Chickens cannot be considered the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) in any context, as they are not even closely related to GOATs.

Chickens and GOATs are from different biological families, orders, and classes, making them distinctly different animals.

Tommy Aspinall and Jon Jones

“#TomBeatsJon” trending is unlikely to result in a fight between Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones, as Jones prefers lower-risk opponents like Stipe Miocic.

Jones appears to avoid challenging fighters like Aspinall who pose a threat to his undefeated streak.

Despite public interest, Jones continues to pursue matchups that offer minimal risk and maximum reward for him.

It is clear that Jones is not keen on facing Aspinall, fearing potential damage to his legacy.

The challenge remains for Jones to prove he is willing to face tough opponents like Aspinall.

Paddy Pimblett

“Paddy Pimblett’s recent success prompts consideration of his capability to contend for a championship in the future.”

Pimblett’s development and improvement in recent fights suggest that he may have the potential to compete for a title someday.

While Pimblett faced criticism earlier in his career, his growth and performance against Green show signs of progress and potential excellence.

Muhammad Mokaev

“Mokaev’s potential departure from the UFC raises questions about his next steps in his fighting career.”

The UFC’s decision not to re-sign Mokaev is understandable given his recent behavior and lack of maturity.

While Mokaev shows promise as a fighter, his conduct both inside and outside the octagon raises concerns about his suitability for promotion.

Mokaev may need to focus on personal growth and skill development outside the UFC before considering a return to the promotion.

Refereeing

“The role of referees in enforcing rules during MMA fights has come into question due to instances of leniency and inconsistency.”

Referees like Mike Beltran need to take a more proactive approach in ensuring fair play and adherence to rules during fights.

Failure to address rule violations immediately can undermine the integrity and competitiveness of MMA matches, highlighting the need for stricter officiating.

Consistent and firm enforcement of rules by referees is essential to maintaining the credibility and fairness of MMA as a sport.

Thank you for reading and sending in your tweets! Feel free to reach out with any questions related to combat sports for future discussions. Tweet your queries to @JedKMeshew, and I’ll address the best ones. See you next week!