Russian welterweight Albert Tumenov, in a conversation with Match TV, named the reasons for Leon Edwards’ defeat in the fight with Belal Muhammad.

Edwards, representing Great Britain, defended his UFC welterweight belt against American Muhammad in the main event of UFC 304. Following five rounds, Edwards lost to the challenger by unanimous decision. Edwards previously met Tumenov, who currently holds the ACA belt.

— I’m surprised. I thought there would be a judges’ decision, but in Edwards’ usual boring style: he’ll knock you down in the standing position and take it. But he was missing takedowns so easily: he was pressing himself against the fence, and Belal was calmly taking him down. He was always moving back, moving back himself, although he could have been moving in a circle and taking him down in the standing position. Because Belal’s striking technique… I think, in fact, he’s a little better at boxing than Ben Askren. I don’t know if Edwards was afraid of something or what the problem was, he was moving back himself and letting himself be taken down.

— After this fight, did you have the feeling that a new strongest fighter on the planet in the 77 kg category had been determined?

— In fact, this fight was very boring. Look at my fight and Ustarmagomed Gadzhidaudov’s. The ACA title fight. And now the fight. Huge difference. Plus, I don’t know why, but Edwards, as I thought, would be much better in the stand-up. But, in fact, he showed nothing in the stand-up, and in the wrestling. Perhaps Belal won precisely because of his cardio, because of his pressure.

— As a basic striker, you were surprised by the episode when Edwards tried to block twice with a very strange block and Muhammad immediately threw an uppercut under it.

— Yes, yes, yes, I saw that too and I don’t know where he found that position. That block isn’t suitable for MMA at all. You cover yourself, but you remain completely open for a leg pass, for a takedown. I don’t know where he became such a boxer. He just had to move, hold the center, try to outshoot Belal. Colby Covington seems to be a good wrestler, but he couldn’t beat him. Kamaru Usman, too. And Belal beat him, — Tumenov told Match TV.

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