Media Sean O’Malley On Belal Muhammad Dominating Leon Edwards

[oski]

I found this interesting because it's pretty close to what we all objectively witnessed, regardless of the revisionist shertakes from Belalian haters.

 

[Substance Abuse]

I had it 48-47 for Belal, and Leon finished strong. Dominated is a bit much despite it being a clear win. At the end of the day, Leon is a good, accomplished fighter who had not lost in eight years, and Belal's fight IQ has clearly improved. He fought well and beat Edwards when most thought it was an uphill climb for him. If Leon is a good as he's shown in the past, he'll earn himself a title shot in the future.

 

[Aegon Spengler]

In hindsight Leon might have been lucky to get that Colby fight in. He seemed to argue against it but he at least had a reign. Two title defences before losing it.

 

[oski]

I had it 48-47 for Belal, and Leon finished strong. Dominated is a bit much despite it being a clear win. At the end of the day, Leon is a good, accomplished fighter who had not lost in eight years, and Belal's fight IQ has clearly improved. He fought well and beat Edwards when most thought it was an uphill climb for him. If Leon is a good as he's shown in the past, he'll earn himself a title shot in the future.

48-47 isn't necessarily wrong in a world that still hasn't figured out how to score MMA. I don't see how that changes what Sean was pointing out and what we all saw.

Best things we can say about what Leon did:
-- Got a couple sweeps (that he never would have got on Islam or Khabib.)
-- Controlled 4 minutes of a round from one of the sweeps where he had Belal's back, the bodytriangle locked in (and did absolutely nothing with it.)
-- Gained top control with a minute left, busted Belal's face open with a nasty elbow and finished on top.

Now, how does that change things into mocking the bully's boxing as his jab was fast and on point like we have never seen from him, let alone the speed and depth of those shots that led to Leon getting tossed around like a kid?

And then the boring narrative? Just picture GSP coming back and fighting the exact same fight that Belal fought which is certainly plausible. The narrative would be the exact OPPOSITE!

Objectively, no?

 

[SalvadorAllende]

Fun thing is that Belal was also outstriking Leon by a good margin. He decided to take the fight to the ground.. but with the constant treat of TDs he was boxing Edwards up.

 

[Harlekin]

Fun thing is that Belal was also outstriking Leon by a good margin. He decided to take the fight to the ground.. but with the constant treat of TDs he was boxing Edwards up.

True, Leon won 2 rounds via reversing him.
Leon won 0 rounds with striking

Clear decision but 3-2 is not dominating.

 

[Substance Abuse]

48-47 isn't necessarily wrong in a world that still hasn't figured out how to score MMA. I don't see how that changes what Sean was pointing out and what we all saw.

Best things we can say about what Leon did:
-- Got a couple sweeps (that he never would have got on Islam or Khabib.)
-- Controlled 4 minutes of a round from one of the sweeps where he had Belal's back, the bodytriangle locked in (and did absolutely nothing with it.)
-- Gained top control with a minute left, busted Belal's face open with a nasty elbow and finished on top.

Now, how does that change things into mocking the bully's boxing as his jab was fast and on point like we have never seen from him, let alone the speed and depth of those shots that led to Leon getting tossed around like a kid?

And then the boring narrative? Just picture GSP coming back and fighting the exact same fight that Belal fought which is certainly plausible. The narrative would be the exact OPPOSITE!

Objectively, no?

48-47 is accurate. You're free to disagree. As for others not giving Belal credit, stating he's boring or even going as far as to downgrade Leon, they're off base. Leon is a good fighter. Belal fought a great fight and has improved. It's an exceptional win.

 

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

48-47 Belal. Not as close as it seemed.. Leon is lucky he didn't die.

 

[blaseblase]

In hindsight Leon might have been lucky to get that Colby fight in. He seemed to argue against it but he at least had a reign. Two title defences before losing it.

100%. Leon would only have 1 title defense if meritocracy mattered. Belal was clearly more deserving of a title shot than Colby.

 

[Substance Abuse]

48-47 Belal. Not as close as it seemed.. Leon is lucky he didn't die.

To be fair, a head spike is illegal and should be a point deduction, therfore it should have been a draw, lol.

 

[BJJ4Tone]

I found this interesting because it's pretty close to what we all objectively witnessed, regardless of the revisionist shertakes from Belalian haters.

Yeah, round-wise, it was 3-2. Arguably a "close" fight.
But total time-wise, it was MUCH more lopsided.

 

[AmbassadorFright]

It's crazy to think Leon made Usman and Covington look mid level

 

[KO Shotz]

Ya on paper the fight was close, but in reality Belal owned Leon everywhere.

 

[TheMMAnalyst]

To be fair, a head spike is illegal and should be a point deduction, therfore it should have been a draw, lol.

Every time you get me in the beginning lol