The significant buzz on social media surrounding Israel Adesanya’s live reaction to Belal Muhammad’s victory highlights the impact of UFC 304. Held on July 27th at the Co-op Live in Manchester, England, the event featured a pivotal welterweight title fight.
The bout pitted reigning champion Leon Edwards against challenger Belal Muhammad. Muhammad’s unanimous decision win marked a dramatic shift, crowning him as the new welterweight champion.
Previously, Edwards and Muhammad had fought in March 2021, but their bout ended in a no-contest due to an accidental eye poke. This rematch at UFC 304 provided Muhammad an opportunity to claim the welterweight title and settle their unfinished business. His win was seen as a significant achievement, especially given the high-profile nature of the fight.
In a video shared by Championship Rounds on social media platform X, Israel Adesanya, who was watching from home, expressed his admiration for Muhammad’s performance. Adesanya, known for his candid reactions, was visibly impressed, stating that even if Muhammad had lost, he would still be a fan.
He praised Muhammad’s resilience and skill, particularly noting the challenge of fighting in Edwards’ home country and the narrative of overcoming their previous no-contest.
Adesanya, who is a friend of Edwards and shares the same management team, had supported Edwards leading up to the fight. Despite this, he was quick to acknowledge Muhammad’s impressive performance and the compelling story of his victory. Adesanya’s reaction highlights the respect he has for Muhammad’s abilities and the significance of the win in the context of their past encounter.
Currently, Adesanya is focused on his own career, preparing for a fight against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305 on August 17th in Perth, Australia. This upcoming bout follows Adesanya’s loss of the middleweight title to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 in September 2023. Du Plessis, the reigning UFC middleweight champion, previously defeated Strickland by split decision in January 2024.
