The UFC on ESPN 34 aka UFC Vegas 51 went down on Saturday, April 16. A massive welterweight showdown with the number #5 Vicente Luque and #6 Belal Muhammad headlined the card. The pivotal welterweight bout saw Belal Muhammad get his hand raised against Vicente Luque in a crazy bout.
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Both previously squared off against each other at UFC 205 back in 2016. In their first meeting, Luque dominated the quick fight and got the early finish (Round 1, 1:19).
However, since that fight, both fighters have improved a lot. Both of them went their separate way and finally clashed at the top of the division.
Coming into the fight, Luque was on a four-fight win streak, and he finished all of these fights. Likewise, Muhammad was riding a 7 fight unbeaten streak coming into the fight.
‘The Silent Assassin‘ with the defeat moved to 21-8-1, whereas Belal ‘Remember The Name’ Muhammad moved to 21-3.
LOSS AVENGED.
🇵🇸🕶️ @BullyB170 just showed the work he's been putting in for the last six years and takes his place in the WW elite! #UFCVegas51 pic.twitter.com/monVx3x7gH
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) April 17, 2022
Muhammed won the fight via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47). Fans were quick to jump on the result of the bout. Moreover, fellow UFC athletes and other MMA personalities reacted to the bout.
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MMA Twitter reacts to UFC on ESPN 34 main event
The MMA fans reacted to the crazy welterweight bout and flooded Twitter.
I have to give Belal some credit for coming back from a Tko loss and getting some revenge 👏 Impressive display of courage.
— Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (@Justin_Gaethje) April 17, 2022
Congrats brotha @bullyb170 way to grind it out #UFCVegas51
— Terrance ‘T Wrecks’ McKinney (@twrecks155) April 17, 2022
That’s an eight-fight unbeaten streak for Belal Muhammad. Another big fight will be coming his way next. Maybe even a title shot. #UFCVegas51
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) April 17, 2022
Belal Muhammad @bullyb170 calls out Colby Covington #UFCVegas51
— Helen Yee (@HelenYeeSports) April 17, 2022
Muhammad: Let me get the big-mouth Karen Colby Covington, who is out here calling out 155ers. Call out a real 170-pounder, coward. #UFCVegas51
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) April 17, 2022
Wrestling, wrestling, wrestling. Oh yea, and wrestling! #UFCVegas51 https://t.co/q8HvDUy8WE
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) April 17, 2022
Incredible fight. 2 warriors!
— Dan “50k” Ige (@Dynamitedan808) April 17, 2022
What’s next for Vicente Luque and Belal Muhammad?
With an impressive showing, Belal Muhammad took another step towards the welterweight title and a meeting with the pound-for-pound king, Kamaru Usman. However, the championship bout between ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ and Leon Edwards would be the only issue for the main event winner.
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In the while, a matchup with Khamzat Chimaev or Colby Covington would make a lot of sense to solidify the number one contender spot for Muhammad.
On the other hand, with the loss in the main event, Luque will get back in line and start another run in the division. He has previously bounced back from losses and will look to replicate the same.
Both fighters are the best welterweights on the planet. Thus, if destiny will prevail, a trilogy bout down the line could be an option.
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Read More: Vicente Luque’s UFC Losses: Who Has Defeated Vicente Luque Inside the Octagon?
What do you make of UFC on ESPN 34 main event? Let us know in the comments section.
