Belal Muhammad is on standby just in case Leon Edwards or Colby Covington drop out of their upcoming UFC 296 title fight.
Muhammad, unbeaten in 10 straight Octagon appearances, announced the news in an interview with MMA Junkie.
“They just hit me up Friday, asked me if I’m willing to weigh in for next week,” Muhammad told the outlet. “I think obviously they know Colby and Leon are the two most inactive welterweights in the division. Neither of these guys likes to fight. They’re both good at running. So just to be on the safe side, they called the dude that always steps up whenever needed.”
🚨Belal Muhammad announces he will be the backup fighter for #UFC296 Main Event: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington. This will be only 8 days notice for him👀@Farah_Hannoun @bullyb170 pic.twitter.com/aSWImTxyMD
— FightCrack (@FightCrack) December 10, 2023
Muhammad and Edwards previously met in 2021, with that fight ending in a no contest after Edwards inadvertently poked Muhammad in the eye 18 seconds into the second round.
Covington and Muhammad, meanwhile, have exchanged words outside of the cage, with Muhammad telling MMA Fighting a ‘cowardly’ Covington backed out of a potential coaching spot opposite him on The Ultimate Fighter 31.
UFC 296 is scheduled for Dec. 16 from Las Vegas, Nevada.