Leon Edwards Coach Makes Case for Gilbert Burns Next, Not Belal Muhammad | The MMA Hour

Dave Lovell, the coach for Leon Edwards, discusses the UFC 296 fight week and Edwards’ performance, the team meeting after the press conference, why he was so fired up after the fight, his conversation with Dana White, when Edwards may return and against whom, and more.
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[@balbir224]

With due respect, chance for Gilbert. Really bs... Belal has the 2nd longest streak after the champ, has beaten most top 10 in the current roster He clearly deserves the title no matter if he is a decision fighter or what

[@jamiejones20]

Belal is on a 5 fight win streak after his no contest, shavkat is on a 6 fight ufc win streak and an 18 fight win streak overall. Plus belal is boring decision guy. Shavkat has 100% finish rate and finished Thompson with a torn ligament in his ankle.

[@balbir224]

@@jamiejones20 I completely agree with you here But here, I’m comparing him with Gilbert that he beat in the last fight I know he is the boring fighter and all, but we all were not talking about Leon either before that headshot He then again gave back to back decisions only and we didn’t even get what we expected from UFC 296 main event. Colby did not shoot enough, but Leon being a striker also didn’t throw many as well. I respect Leon and want to respect him more, but saying no and taking a long layovers between fights isn’t something worth. He isn’t any start fighter that people would wait happily to see after an year Shavkat and Belal are top contenders for sure but with Shavkat’s surgery, Belal is the one in the line for sure

[@alikeskin1263]

@@jamiejones20 by that logic, leon is on a 4 win streak now?

[@DmDaPDm]

@@jamiejones20 But he knocked out Sean Brady, when you say Boring decision guy you prove that you're talking from emotion rather then whats right. Leon isn't exactly the most exciting fighter either so who cares.

[@234i9]

Shavkat is injured and hasnt beaten the same caliber of guys that Belal has.@@jamiejones20

[@darkclaw1462]

Even though I'm a firm believer that Leon probably does handily dismantle Belal, It's pretty clear that Belal needs to be given his shot. Belal has by far not only beaten the most Top 10 ranked contenders currently (at 4), most of them were on win streaks like Gilbert or are still actively winning (like #8 Brady and #9 Luque), he's fought the most ranked contenders In general (at 5), he's fought more times In the last 8 months than guys like Colby had In last 18 months, and he has literally the 2nd longest win streak at WW In the UFC besides Leon himself. And yeah, there are other options like Shavkat, but he just got ankle Injured and likely won't fight until July of next year (which Is too long of a wait). And nobody else Is gonna wait until 299 for the winner of Gilbert vs JDM, because Belal already handily dominated Gilbert and even If Jack pulls off the win that's only 1 Top 10 contender he'd have beaten, Belals beaten 4. Look I'm not the biggest fan of Belal, but he 100% deserves the next title shot against Leon. And by far Is the true #1 contender In the WW division. Lets get that fight made.💯

[@BosMass617]

The only other fight I’d like to see before Belal is Islam.

[@michaelhall672]

Yep, well said.

[@Hamzakhawaja]

@@BosMass617Islam should defend his belt against LW first💀💀💀

[@FishingPerro916]

Leon fans are scared of belal

[@markdyer2574]

​@@BosMass617 The only people that think that Islam deserves to fight Leon is his fans.

[@LeonardTaylor700]

The decision to not fight Belal is dishonorable

[@bigdick3531]

🤡🤡🤡🤡

[@anthonymahomeboy1277]

Burns and shavkat are prob harder fights

[@sloth316]

Did you actually watch the interview or you just reading the headlines that miss out the part where he followed up by saying “but I’ll fight whoever they put in front of me” ?

[@kingmoreorless2810]

Belal is up next he has the second longest winning streak in the division. That's one thing I like about Izzy he called out and fought the hardest fights. These other guys are trying to pick and choose🤦🏿‍♂️

[@systemicchaos3921]

Shavkat is next!

[@qwikaces8813]

I really enjoy these interviews with Dave. Helps realise what makes Leon so special. All these great fighters have such great teams behind them.

[@AiDMostar]

Don't be scared son. Don't let Belal bully you son! This guy is a legend but Belal is next

[@sanatsrivastava2814]

You are the embodiment of cringe just as a Belal fan ought to be.

[@RationalPolice]

@@sanatsrivastava2814 Whether you're a Belal fan or not, you can't deny that he should be next. And not many people are going to buy that PPV if he is in the main event.

[@BruceWayne18529]

Belal can wait another year or so 🤣😂

[@anthonymahomeboy1277]

If we being honest belal is prob the easiest fight for Leon next considering the performance he was having against him b4. I respect Leon for wanting a tougher challenge.

[@Skipjj]

@@anthonymahomeboy1277 Leon ducking unfortunately

[@enbonj5842]

Leons a traumatised person like us all, nasty to bring that up. Colby goin to the 7th rung of hair for sure

[@walterkaiyuenpang3556]

* layer 👍✊

[@Philip_Taylor]

Of hair, haha. Well played.

[@234i9]

his dad was a pos though, but its not cool to attack leon for that

[@BH-nq5xy]

I’m starting to think Leon scared of Belal and btw he just beat Burns. I’m by far not a fan of Belal but he’s should be next

[@markdyer2574]

I don't think he's scared. I believe hes thinking more about what opponent can generate the most money for PPV.

[@junipersnow1]

@@markdyer2574 Let's be real if it was up to Leon he would fight in 11 months and take the easiest most profitable fight available for him to win.... But thank the MMA gods... Its not up to them!... the UFC will decide, i'm pretty sure its not Burns

[@antonycuff4512]

@@markdyer2574 He got the money fights with hate ,usman and Colby now he needs to go and stand on his own and make highlights and become an attraction himself ! If they make him a co - main it won't matter who he fights !

[@markdyer2574]

@junipersnow1 I don't doubt what you're saying, but it still doesn't mean that Leon is scared of Belal. Your point about it being up to the UFC is also valid, but even that isn't perfect because of the inconsistencies and bias behind their decision-making. Let's not forget that Colby was out for two years before being gifted a title shot.

[@lukesaward8761]

​@aimlessdrive8723 and you forgetting what leon has achieved?

[@willdebeasten4397]

Leon is the UK MMA GOAT, deserves more recognition in the UK than he gets. But maybe it keeps him hungry and humble which makes him a real threat to anyone. Disgrace he isn’t BBC sports personality, let alone nominated. True fans rocking with Rocky!

[@Philip_Taylor]

It's nice. We had Bisping, and now we have Edwards and Aspinal.

[@bearwolffish]

preach

[@SoSyNiKaL]

Yeah - I was blown away that Leon wasn't on the shortlist, unbelievable...

[@wisdomincoming12]

Leon needs to be more active & show a lil more killer instinct. GSP the only one who gets to cruise to decision & get praised for it

[@SoSyNiKaL]

@@wisdomincoming12 Lol, Leon is just as active as other champions/more active. The only reason he wasn't is cause of COVID. So many casual fans in MMA now - it's good for the sport but really dilutes takes

[@sohelhussain2689]

Gilbert Burns? The guy that Belal just beat? Now I’m starting to think they just don’t think it’s a good matchup and a risky fight for them so they’re avoiding it.

[@THEDOGFATHERL11]

Belal only beat a injured burns leon was absolutely whipping Belal before he took a short cut out the fight they had in the first place

[@noelnoni7310]

@@THEDOGFATHERL11 Belal didn’t try to wrestle that fight because it was short noticr

[@THEDOGFATHERL11]

@@noelnoni7310cos he couldn't usman struggled to wrestle him in the first an 3rd fight with leon belal an colby both couldn't wrestle him usman only had any success with it at altitude were he was training at elevation Leon's wrestling defence judo an bjj is too good for them to keep him pinned in one position to run the clock down

[@noelnoni7310]

@@THEDOGFATHERL11 I definitely think Belal could. He didn’t attempt 1 single takedown then because it was short notice. Leon was the one who attempted a takedown. Belal is way better now 2.5 yers later. Leon is definitely not unbeatable.

[@burningknuckle26]

That's exactly what it is💯

[@Hamzakhawaja]

leon is not a big ppv star that he can call the shots. belal has earned his title fight, whetever u like his fighting style or not he beat all the fighters in a dominant fashion. and its pretty ironic that this is coming from leon who is was in the same shoes as belal. looks like he is scared.

[@markroyds23]

Yea alot of reason to be scared tbf isn't there. I mean after how he dominated what was of there last fight.... Deffo reason to fear belal isn't there 😂🤦

[@Hamzakhawaja]

@@markroyds23And usman was dominating leon and what happened there?

[@GotMyDickInYaMouth]

@@markroyds23usman smoked leon till that headkick lil bro but that’s different right?

[@Skipjj]

@@markroyds23 “dominated” then felt the need to poke belals eyes until they bled🤣

[@M0K0M0]

Belal and Gilbert fought for 5 rounds in the co-main of UFC 288. Belal won by UD. In what universe do you reward with a title bout the one who lost the fight? The math ain't mathing

[@ShakiraTwittersonPFP]

Gilbert’s already lost a title fight not to mention already lost to Belal. I’m not a big Belal fan by any means. But saying Gilbert deserves it more than Belal is criminal.

[@JOHNBOYC2]

The love this man has for Leon was always going to lead him to the title

[@astrodax2753]

Burns, whose 3/3 his last 6 fights and a loss to Belal, brings more to the table than Belal which is on a 9 win streak and owned a rematch of a fight Leon ruined! It seems like what Burns brings to the table is an easier opponent. Shameful ducking

[@jleonlove7965]

Ridiculous to call out not just not belal but gilbert who got dominated by belal lmao they are clearly ducking leon and his team is so annoying

[@gabriel-uc1uz]

Are we gonna pretend Leon didn't say he will fight whoever they put in front of him? And that he wants to defend the belt 3 times next year??

[@zzc787]

@@gabriel-uc1uzbut him and dana said they aren’t sure, so dana doesn’t even want belal next which is more important than what leon has to say. tbh idek why leon necessarily doesn’t want to fight belal cos i think he beats belal but it’s strange.

[@antonycuff4512]

@@gabriel-uc1uz Leon hasn't fought 3 times in one year since 2015 other than usman they were nobodys now he expects us to believe he will fight the best of the best 3 times in a year ?

[@chrisboult6610]

Fights usman 3 times and colby but he's obviously scared of belal? Ok mate Haha casuals eh

[@THEDOGFATHERL11]

@@aimlessdrive8723 his eye didn't swell or close Leon's finger nail nicked just under belal eye before his finger went in the eye the nick drew a small drop of blood an his waterd eye left that drop of blood run down his cheek there was nothing wrong with belal's eye he only needed a 5 minute rest but he took a short cut out that fight cos he was getting whooped he was even back in the age 2 months later belal faked it

[@Thijszz]

He must be trolling with the Burns over Belal thing😂

[@THEDOGFATHERL11]

Not really I had burns as the front runner till he lost the belal fight but he was a injured man plus belal was taking a whipping off leon before the eye poke in there fight

[@DmDaPDm]

@@THEDOGFATHERL11 So he was the front runner...Until Belal beat him? Which would make Belal the new front runner? Leon won round 1 against Usman then got dominated for 3 rounds. Leon has good 1st rounds, its not proof thats how 4 more rounds were going to go against Belal. Not really sure why there is even pushback, leon barely fought this year, he has a contender ready, lets go!

[@THEDOGFATHERL11]

@@DmDaPDm burns was injured though but yer that puts belal front runner so he ain't trolling by bringing him up usman could only do that with a altitude advantage when leon gassed after 1 round like near the entire card gassed apart from usman

[@DmDaPDm]

​@@THEDOGFATHERL11 That altitude is not completely true brother. Leon gassed because he tried to wrestle Usman, and hes not used to wrestling, so his arm and legs were done from round 1. Not saying altitude didn't effect him, but to say Usman only dominated because of this is not true, Especially since Usman beat him the first time in the exact same way, that headkick truly changed Leons trajectory. Because he would have gone all the way down the ladder and he'd be getting the Belal treatment...AGAIN lol.

[@THEDOGFATHERL11]

@@DmDaPDm no he didn't he gassed cos of the altitude like everyone else on the card apart from usman who was training at elevation pulling a fast one on leon an still got knocked out

[@cosmo3665]

It’s the British Eugene Bareman

[@ramonbriones4487]

Thank you for not letting him get bullied, son 😊

[@drewstareid1386]

Dave is a true legend respect 🙏🏽

[@smartperson325]

Guys Burns isnt even an option. Hes got a fight in march against JDM and even if he wins he will probably take some damage so the fastest he can fight Leon is middle of next year. I doubt Burns will risk a quick turnaround for a title shot because hes old and has only one shot left just like Colby and will probably want to be fully prepared. Also Leon will have to sit out for a while if he wants to fight one of these other welterweights, Shavkat is injured so the only guy ranked high and ready to fight soon is Belal. Guys I think we will be forced to see Belal get the shot unless the UFC makes some crazy matchup.

[@fighterwho]

lovely interview. Would like to hear more from Dave in the future

[@FishingPerro916]

🌈

[@skyla-idiot]

@@aimlessdrive8723what did Leon ever do to you? He literally defended his belt less than a week ago and you’re saying he’s ducking fights. He dominated Belal up until the eye poke too so that won’t be a problem for him and there are more options for him than Belal.

[@fablenumber1fan]

​@@aimlessdrive8723 Belal was gettings smoked before the eye poke. The eye poke saved him a ko loss. We all know you have never liked Leon. Still crying about Colby? 😅

[@fighterwho]

@@aimlessdrive8723 I highly doubt he is scared of Belal after facing the likes of Prime Usman

[@Last_Chance.]

Ariel needs to learn from Dave how to be a good man and not an arrogant narcissist.

[@vgomesbr]

lovely interview! that's the type of people this sport needs

[@MattWarb]

Dave Lovell is a treasure

[@TrueVisionTWest]

Coach is absolutely solid 🤍🙏🏼 loved this interview!

[@pauliewalnuts6977]

Listen I don't like watching Belal fight as much as the next guy, but you cannot deny the man is due a title shot. I'd be pissed off too if I had a 10 win streak over the champ and still not getting a title shot.

[@jayorya4201]

Great coach been training with him from the past 10 years

[@evilkhamzat]

Excuses from Lovell if you’re the best you fight the next best guy and like him or loath him that’s Belal. Obviously Leon’s camp sees something they don’t like and that’s why they’re trying to avoid the fight!

[@tuffneggah]

leon is no-selling this as mental warfare. he's getting into belal's head like he did colby. be real, he knows it's belal. saying it's burns is a massive troll. good on rocky

[@MMADeebo]

That’s what I was thinking 😂

[@Hamzakhawaja]

Dave and leon both🤡

[@draco2xx]

im assuming that aswell or leon knows something we don't cause he was on the same boat year ago

[@galalnaji4234]

Leon’s Coach : Don’t let him bully you son @bullyb170 : 😎

[@CaptCKernel]

If theyre worried about Belals PPV power, co-main it in the UK with Tom Aspinall. They naturally put the heavier weight class as the main-main when you have multiple title fights on the same card so it makes a lot of sense. If Stipe doesnt want the fight vs Tom, put Cyril Gane in there and Volkov vs Almeida as the next shot since JBJ is gonna be out forever. You can even put Paddy on the card to pump the PPV, maybe throw MW Bearjew on the card as well. Could be an absolute banger

[@syedfawaz8090]

Mmm... So hypocritical considering Leon had a lackluster performance. Leon Scott and His coach are super delusional

[@jamsd667]

Calling Masvidal ‘mazzavil’ is hilarious😂

[@hammbaby]

BUT BELAL JUST BEAT BURNS, WHAT!?

[@haroonseena9893]

One armed Gilbert won round 4 against belal

[@Raptured_and_back]

blows my mind man

[@dancing_reaper2046]

In the first fight before the eye poke I genuinely thought Leon was by far the superior fighter but both Belal and Leon have improved greatly since that fight especially Belal so I am really curious to see how that fight would play out.. I think Leon would edge it but Belal will be a much bigger threat this time

[@TheDylbot5000]

As much as I wanna see Gilbert get a shot, Belal is the rightful next contender. And the faster we can get that snoozefest over with the better

[@sanatsrivastava2814]

The coach is trying to push the easy fight. Understandable. Anybody that cares for you will do that. However, it ought to be Belal or Shavkat.

[@Ruminator]

This guy is a legend

[@randomnstoned966]

Dave is the man! Watched Leon coming up for years and always been massively impressed 👏 the bbc are moronic for not giving Leon a sports personality nomination cause he more than deserves it! Gg boys 👍

[@DanielChristophertrading]

Got to love Dave, keeps it real.

[@234i9]

Not at all

[@DanielChristophertrading]

@@234i9 Ever day of the week, twice on a Sunday

[@234i9]

wtf?! Gilbert just lost to Belal in his last fight. Belal has 9 wins and one DQ in his last 10 fights. And that one DQ is Leon Edwards Eye poking him lol

[@monstermunch7083]

He’s right about the press in England, Leon should be a superstar after stopping Kamaru’s reign, but they don’t really cover MMA for some reason. As an Englishman I am so proud of Leon! Long may it continue.

[@theone8878]

Lol hahahah on what basis does gilbert deserve the next shot? That's crazy from leon and his team. Belal is the most deserving he should get that fight if not belal then it should go to shavkat.

[@draco2xx]

leon team are trolling, its a mind thing 😂

[@TheBullyDisciple]

Love how ppl will do any sort of mental gymnastics to make it seem in their heads, it's okay to attack ppl for words.

[@mehammladluzdakik8412]

Big Dave

[@Blessedzombie]

Best ppv opportunity for Leon is calling masvidal out of retirement

[@jamiejones20]

Lol no its not. Masvidal is washedup and only you would be down for watching that fight

[@Blessedzombie]

@@jamiejones20 you think people rather pay for belal? 😂

[@jgmutahi]

Class act this man

[@Trickiestree]

Stand up Champ, stand up team bruh, you done us proud, UK mma all day.

[@TNTWARRIOR31]

Burns was injured but no guarantees that he automatically wins if he wasn't injured. Belal won, Belal is on a long winning streak, he deserves it.

[@louiejackson2352]

Realistically speaking you can’t deny Belals’ resume this far but at the same time I am sure that Dana and Leons’ team have talked about the business portion of this possible fight. Belal, as much of a win streak he is on, the competition that he’s beaten and the way he’s beaten them aren’t convincing at all. Having little to no submission threat on top control, mediocre striking, and an overall boring style will just do more harm than good for the UFC & Leon as there’s little to no benefit of fighting Belal. I am sure Leon and Belal will face each other very soon and when they do Leon will just put on a masterclass on Belal.

[@DmDaPDm]

I think fans forgot how quickly things can change, Usman was a boring fighter until he won the belt. Trying to stop guys from gettting the title shot because they may be boring is basically saying we don't want to know who the best fighter is, we just care about who looks the best. Its so messed up. Colby was supposed to have this exciting style...nope shittest title fight this year. Belal finished Brady with strikes after everyone was calling him boring, Fought Burns on 16 days notice and won, and weighed in as back up. You can't tell me that its good to be a company man or listen to the fans, when they still look for reasons. A win over a 40yo wonderboy should not get you a title shot. Shavkat needs to beat someone in the top 5. Belal is next.

[@hdi8515]

Leon so skilled clinic performance

[@Skipjj]

When?

[@michael95621]

Start the video around 20:00 to hear what the coach really says. He outright says Belal has earned his shot but he thinks Leon will beat him easily and the PPV won't sell well. He thinks Shavkat would be interesting but he's injured. He then says that Burns presents more of a challenge and he thinks would draw better than Belal, but they will fight whoever the UFC says. Honestly this one is on the UFC for not naming Belal as the next fight right away, but the controversy over "will Belal get his deserved shot?" is probably the best angle to sell this thing.

[@Jake-qo3mp]

Admittedly, I think Burns would have beaten Belal with both arms but Belal, in the meantime, has more than earned his shot.

[@evilkhamzat]

Then why did Belal win the 1st round when he had both arms?

[@J-Hz]

Belal was beating Burns before the injury happened...Also belal blew his ankle way before the fight

[@Teletramx]

Leon neither his coach should have NO say in who the next opponent is. BELAL should and DESERVES to be next. Period!

[@Jack-jz5kt]

Calm down son

[@elijahlogan7347]

Stop ducking Belal !

[@Michael-qg1gh]

Best coach in the game. God bless this man.

[@Hamzakhawaja]

He is a clown dude

[@markroyds23]

​@@Hamzakhawajabased on what?

[@Skipjj]

Nah he has one good fighter..

[@Michael-qg1gh]

@@Skipjj you spelled great wrong. You mad colby lost every big fight he ever had. 😄

[@Skipjj]

@@Michael-qg1gh nah, just good. Colby is a bum. Nicksick has Strickland, Ngannou, Aljo which blows this British coach away unfortunately.

[@RollaReaper]

Mr Lovell..... Your charge the Great Leon Edwards has to start finishing his bouts/opponents🙏if his to build his reputation💯his got to take it outta the judges hands

[@tylerhiggs-pf8ff]

I wish it was Stephen Thompson next what a display of kick boxing that would be 😍

[@javiervenegas6714]

Burns is also 37 going to be 38 ,on his way out Leon fighting all theres guys on their way out lol Might as well call out Wonderboy .

[@mattgrov9068]

Burns? Really? Lol nope makes no sense at all.

[@DB-qx7dr]

Big up Uncle Dave 🫡👊🏿

[@colbylandwehr3334]

Coach of the year

[@Skipjj]

Nicksick

[@astheskylarksings]

I wonder if Leon has a publicist. Make a declaration in the post fight speech. Give us a “look at me now” but address it to your Pops. Hunger Games type ish.

[@jackreacher2095]

So if Masvidal sucker punching Colby from behind with a mask and a hood on is sorting him out does that mean that Jorge sorted Leon out when he snuck him ?

[@LeonEdwards-lt1bn]

I can’t stand Belal. He’s the absolute next fight for MW gold.

[@manx1569]

Very sad Dave playing the race card regarding sports personality. Mo Farah and Lewis Hamilton are former winners of the award

[@GregorMcConnor]

I would like to have this coach

[@dragonsazor799]

People just hate when someone fought smartly I guess. I don't think Belal have single attribute that he best at. Not physicue, not stamina, not grappling, not striking, nothing he best at in his division, but dude keeps winning, coz he followed his gameplan perfectly. But people hated that I guess, people want mindless brawler like Michael Chandler.

[@Casual-1]

DONT LET HIM BULLY YOU

[@hihihi1q23]

Belal beat Burns. Burns isn't a big PPV star either. Makes absolutely zero sense.

[@RexxorDDG]

Leon just knows that gilbert can barely handle a jab 🤣 but gilberts wrestling/bjj is a problem fr

[@DADRB0B55]

No it not Burns has only beaten washed 40 year olds like Colby & only submission win is Neil Magny.

[@TheNaz1996]

Urrrr what a crock or bs comment. Gilbert can take a punch very well as we saw with the chimaev fight

[@RexxorDDG]

@@TheNaz1996 he got dropped with a jab the first round wym

[@AstroBladez74]

@@RexxorDDGtbf both Usman and Khamzat are hard hitters and threw a right handed jab

[@RexxorDDG]

@@AstroBladez74 either way they are all wrestlers, leon's predominantly a striker

[@shrektheogre2853]

LOL, they're ducking belal so hard😂😂

[@markgazee8149]

see ya down villa park 💜💙 only oneeee Leon Edwards 👊🏽👊🏽👊🏽👏🏽

[@paraics.osuilleabhain3862]

Love this guy. Straight honest talker, given amazing advice. Pure love for leon. Would never do him wrong. Always in his corner. Amazing.

[@rokimduaempat]

Just made Belal face Shavkat for UFC 300 with Leon in the crowd, then do the winner vs Leon in UK

[@jm12green31]

Don't let Ariel bully you man

[@BH-nq5xy]

The reason why Leon doesn’t get as much attention as Till did or Paddy is that he has the personality of a rock. 🤷‍♂️

[@ednicolle2456]

Daves a cool dude

[@bobered4911]

it's so cringe seeing a champ defend against a chump for free and then immediately dodge who everyone knows is next in line

[@jaleelakram2232]

Belal deserves the title shot more than Gilbert. Is he high or something bruhh 😂😂

[@josedanielisidororeyes5693]

In my opinion a fight against Gilbert it would be a more interesting fight than a one against Belal.

[@PeterBrownrigg]

Belal remember the decision is basically where Leon was before the title shot. Belal is next

[@tomimartinez3300]

Yesss! a new titleshot for Gilbert

[@TMoney76]

Ultimate Feelings Champion

[@Izzy-zh8ck]

Wtf is Leon's team scared of belal ?

[@settingfeedback321]

Belal

[@junipersnow1]

I agree with Coach... I did not like the fight at all. Bad vibes from the Presser to the 5th round... Bad vibes even watching live on PPV... I never finished a UFC event with that sad feeling at the end of it all.

[@Skipjj]

Casual

[@pr1bob]

Burns not fighting JDM?

[@thatdawghouse]

Yes I can ear'ya now *EERIAL* man😂

[@floodwaters8887]

Gilbert Burns is 3-3 in his last 6 fights, absolute laughable, Belal has 5 Top 10 wins and hasn't lost a fight since 2019 which includes 9 wins and 1 NC.

[@slax4884]

Belal next. No one else none of this nonsense Love Dave though he is a legend

[@DmDaPDm]

Leons team are being weird. The fight ended after 1 round. 1! Give Belal his shot and stop being divas, for me...Leon actually got the title shot off of beating...Nate Diaz, and RDA. Lightweights. Belal at this point was more deserving of a title Shot, then Leon at the time. Thing about Izzy and Usman, If you were next, you got the shot. Usman never said ahh whats leon done, hes only beaten Nate Diaz. I think fans forgot how quickly things can change, Usman was a boring fighter until he won the belt. Trying to stop guys from getting the title shot because they may be boring is basically saying we don't want to know who the best fighter is, we just care about who looks the best. Its so messed up. Colby was supposed to have this exciting style...nope shittest title fight this year. Belal finished Brady with strikes after everyone was calling him boring, Fought Burns on 16 days notice and won, and weighed in as back up. You can't tell me that its good to be a company man or listen to the fans, when they still look for reasons. A win over a 40yo wonderman should not get you a title shot. Shavkat needs to beat someone in the top 5. Belal is next.

[@vanguardprime4636]

You're right about everything else, but Usman did deny Leon a title shot and decided to have a rematch with Colby even though Colby had been inactive for over a year. Just saying.

[@ryecafeandjuicebar]

MMA is not so popular in the UK, not being nominated has nothing do with where he is from or what he has done. Football is huge worldwide, that’s it. Nothing else.

[@JG-nx3jg]

Obvious matchup is belal vs shavkat for the title shot decider. Both deserve it, so let them fight for it.

[@farukmiah8109]

Belal deserves to fight for the Belt next!!👊

[@draco2xx]

bring jorge out of retirement, its possible. give him 3 months to get back in shape that will definitely sell good especially in miami😂

[@depthsofhell]

the level of hypocrisy is astonishing i mean leon took a good while to get a shot at the belt similar to bilals road to the belt yet they want burns who recently lost pretty handily to bilal across 5 rounds? how can leon and his camp complain he is not getting his due from the fans when he goes and does this? also lets look at leons reign he did face usman twice which is terrific but when colby got announced as his next challenger he pretty much said he wont fight him until the ufc made him then you go to the interview where he basically dismissed the entire division and said he wants a shot at strickland up a division now you have this situation with bilal it is just baffling to me how he can be so hypocritical and complain about he perceived attention he doesnt get from fans yet it appears he constantly dismisses his challengers as so easy he doesnt need to fight them and wanting to fight a dude whos 2-2 in his last 4 coming of nearly a year layoff who also lost to the guy above him and to make this worse its already knows that burns is fighting jack della maddalena in 299 his logic and reasoning are so bad in me opinion that the good graces he got with his usman ko will quickly disappear and he will be the same leon he was 3 years ago in terms of fans

[@bTek-9]

Gilbert huh? Another old man, easy fight like Covington 🤣 Belal is next and if not it's Shavkat.

[@TheNaz1996]

You think Gilbert is a slouch. Lol go do your homework kid

[@bTek-9]

@@TheNaz1996 I didn't say that. Belal is just next in line. And if money is the issue, Belal will be better for PPV than Gilbert. What makes Gilbert deserving of a title shot NOW? More so than Belal? Belal got eye poked by Edwards, they need to run it back

[@TanWam]

I don't like Belal but out of everyone he is defo next ​@@bTek-9

[@tyemerson6135]

why are they so scared for Belal

[@JasTheKariol]

How is this logical, Belal won over Burns...The UFC has turned into a popularity contest.. If he doesn't want Belal, give him Shavkat.