Belal Mohammed has announced his intention to press charges against Leon Edwards following their physical altercation.
The incident occurred at about 2:30 pm on Thursday event in Manchester, where both fighters were involved in a heated exchange backstage.
Mohammed alleges that Edwards instigated the altercation by approaching him aggressively and initiating physical contact.
The altercation reportedly escalated quickly, with both fighters needing to be separated by security personnel.
In response to the incident, Mohammed expressed his frustration and stated that he would pursue legal action against Edwards.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining professionalism in the sport and condemned Edwards’ behavior as unacceptable.
This altercation adds a contentious chapter to the rivalry between Mohammed and Edwards, which began with their highly anticipated bout at UFC 263.
Mohammed previously voiced his displeasure with Edwards’ post-fight antics, accusing him of disrespecting their culture and heritage.
The legal ramifications of Mohammed’s decision to press charges against Edwards remain to be seen.
Such incidents are uncommon but not unheard of in combat sports, where emotions can run high both inside and outside the octagon.
As the situation unfolds, UFC officials are likely to investigate the matter further and may impose sanctions depending on their findings. Meanwhile, fans and the MMA community will be closely watching to see how the incident impacts the UFC 304 showdown in Manchester this weekend.