Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski doesn't expect to hear 'and new' when Belal Muhammad challenges Leon Edwards this weekend.
The pair are set to headline Saturday's UFC 304 pay-per-view event at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, with Muhammad heading to enemy territory in pursuit of Edwards' welterweight title.
Their clash will mark one of two championship rematches set for July 27, with it following a bout for the interim heavyweight strap between Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes.
When Edwards and Muhammad first collided back in 2021, an accidental eye poke rendered "Remember the Name" unable to continue. While "Rocky's" early success in that bout has left him as a heavy favorite in the eyes of many, Muhammad has vowed to finish him with ease at UFC 304.
One ex-titleholder doesn't see much chance of that coming to fruition across the pond...
Volkanovski Expects Edwards To Retain Welterweight Gold At UFC 304
During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Volkanovski provided his picks and predictions for four major matchups set to play out in Manchester this Saturday night, including the two championship headliners.
Rounding out a whitewash for the favorites, "Alexander the Great" is backing Edwards to get the job done against Muhammad at the second time of trying.
While Volkanovski acknowledged the challenger's ability, he dismissed the notion that Muhammad boasts any tools capable of threatening Edwards come fight night. And with that in mind, he wouldn't be surprised to see the champ find the knockout on July 27.
I thought Leon was looking good before that (eye poke) happened," Volkanovski said of their first fight. "I'm gonna go with Leon Edwards. ... He's definitely the favorite. He's rock solid. You've seen his wrestling defense, you've seen his grappling. He's actually very well-rounded. Everyone has always thought he was a striker, but he's very well-rounded. He was able to take Colby down...and Usman. It just shows you how good Leon Edwards is. And his striking is beautiful.
Belal Muhammad, a lot of people give him a hard time. ... He is very calculated, doesn't take unnecessary risks," Volkanovski continued. "But the thing is, I thought he (Edwards) was quite aggressive in their first fight, and I think we're gonna see that again. ... He's gonna let his hands go, which is gonna make him a lot more dangerous. ... Belal, obviously is on a mad tear. He's well-rounded, he's got a lot of tools. But the tools that he has won't work anywhere that's gonna give Leon Edwards a massive threat. Can't see him getting a finish; I think it's gonna be very hard for him to win a decision too. ... Can Leon Edwards get the finish? I think he can...TKO or KO, I definitely can see.
Edwards will hope to prove Volkanovski right and further enhance his legacy at 170 pounds in the process.
And in addition to recording a third successful defense and cementing his grip on that divisional crown, another retention will only move "Rocky" closer to his goal of challenging for two-weight glory up at 185 pounds down the line.