Britain’s Leon Edwards was fired up as he shared phrases with American Belal Muhammad throughout an intense face-off because the pair weighed in for his or her welterweight title bout at UFC 304 in Manchester on Saturday.
Edwards, 32, who’s making the third defence of his title, weighed 170lb – one pound heavier than his 36-year-old opponent.
Edwards grabbed the microphone in each palms earlier than addressing the passionate crowd.
“Manchester! Overlook what he says. He is too small, too sluggish, I am knocking him out,” mentioned Edwards.
The combat on the Co-op Reside is a rematch of their 2021 bout, which was deemed a no-contest following an unintended eye poke from Edwards which left Muhammad unable to proceed.
That bout has led to hostility between the pair, with Muhammad, who has performed the villain position throughout combat week, embracing heavy boos from the viewers.
“The remainder of you guys tomorrow night time, cry about it. It is over for you guys. England goes to lose once more,” mentioned Muhammad.
The pair will make their stroll to the octagon within the early hours of Sunday morning – predicted to be round 05:00 BST – with the UFC’s scheduling catering largely to a US viewers.
Within the co-main occasion, Britain’s Tom Aspinall arrived draped in an England flag to a raucous cheer in entrance of his house followers.
Aspinall, 31, weighed in at 251lbs earlier than his interim heavyweight title defence towards American Curtis Blaydes, who got here in 5lbs heavier.
The bout is a rematch of their 2022 contest, the place Aspinall critically injured his knee resulting in defeat by 33-year-old Blaydes.
