Belal Muhammad ‘smelled worry’ from Leon Edwards in elevator

Belal Muhammad didn’t have to attend till UFC 304, and even the primary faceoff of combat week, to dimension up Leon Edwards. That already occurred.

Talking with MMA Junkie Radio on Tuesday, Muhammad detailed what occurred earlier within the day throughout an opportunity elevator run-in with Edwards, brother Fabian Edwards, coach Dave Lovell, and about “six or seven guys” whole from Staff Edwards.

“I simply noticed him proper now within the elevator. He regarded like he was afraid,” mentioned Muhammad, including that he was solely with one different individual. “Him and his brother and his coach, all of them regarded like cowards. His coach was attempting to speak a little bit little bit of trash, so I’m hoping that his coach is on the press convention, as a result of I do know Leon’s not gonna have the ability to speak.”

Muhammad mentioned Edwards and Co. entered the identical elevator that he was driving first. Muhammad mentioned Edwards was largely quiet, and that it was Lovell who did a lot of the speaking.

“I used to be already on,” Muhammad mentioned. “He wouldn’t be assured sufficient to remain within the elevator if my group was strolling in. He would stroll out. For me, we stayed on. They thought they have been gonna be cooler or attempt to be more durable, however I smelled worry. …

“Leon didn’t say a phrase. His coach was speaking, however he simply has a bizarre, silly accent, and he type of appears like he has autism or he’s gradual. I don’t know what he was saying, however he didn’t sound sensible in any respect.”

Given {that a} UFC digital camera crew follows principal occasion fighters for the “Embedded” sequence throughout combat week, there’s a great likelihood video of the encounter will quickly emerge, though it’s unclear if cameras have been current on the time.

Edwards (22-3 MMA, 14-2 UFC) and Muhammad (23-3 MMA, 14-3 UFC) headline UFC 304 (ESPN+ pay-per-view) on Saturday from Co-op Stay in Manchester, England. The combat is a rematch of their March 2021 bout that resulted in a no contest after a nasty eye poke by Edwards within the second spherical.