UFC welterweight Belal Muhammad is stepping in to face Leon Edwards in a five-round main event at UFC Fight Night on March 13, multiple sources told ESPN.
Muhammad is replacing Edwards’ original opponent, Khamzat Chimaev, who was forced to withdraw from the bout last week due to lingering effects from COVID-19. The UFC tried to book a fight between Edwards and Chimaev on three separate dates, but each fell through due to COVID-related issues.
Muhammad (18-3) is just five days removed from a decision win against Dhiego Lima at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas. The 32-year-old is now riding a four-fight win streak and has won eight of his last nine. His three losses in the UFC have come against solid opposition in Geoff Neal, Vicente Luque and Alan Jouban.
Edwards (18-3) has a strong case to be fighting for the welterweight championship right now. Fighting out of Birmingham, England, Edwards has won eight in a row. His last loss came via decision against current UFC champ Kamaru Usman in 2015.
Chimaev, of Sweden, is currently in Las Vegas receiving medical care. His manager, Ali Abdelaziz, told ESPN they are hopeful he can return by June, but it will be contingent upon his recovery.