UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad is targeting a “dream come true” title fight against Leon Edwards in Abu Dhabi later this year, as he gets set to take on Gilbert Burns at UFC 288 this weekend.
The American, ranked the division’s No 4 contender, faces the former title challenger in the co-main event at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, early Sunday UAE time having agreed to the fight only two weeks out.
Unbeaten in his past nine bouts, Muhammad knows a statement win against Burns will push his case even more for a first attempt at UFC gold.
At present, UFC president Dana White has said Colby Covington is next in line to meet current champion Edwards. Meanwhile, Edwards said last month that he wants the second defence of his crown to take place in Abu Dhabi, describing it as the "perfect" scenario.