Belal Muhammad Set as Backup Fighter for UFC 296 Headliner

Belal Muhammad will be ready to step in should anything go awry with the UFC 296 main event.

Muhammad confirmed to MMAjunkie.com on Sunday that he will serve as the backup fighter for the welterweight championship clash between Leon Edwards and Colby Covington on Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

“They just hit me up Friday, asked me if I’m willing to weigh in for next week,” Muhammad said. “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.”

Muhammad is unbeaten in his last 10 Octagon appearances, including a five-round verdict over Gilbert Burns in his lone bout of 2023 at UFC 288. “Remember the Name” faced Edwards at UFC Fight Night 187 in March 2021, but the contest ended 18 seconds into Round 2 due to an accidental eye poke.