Leon Edwards’ ‘nasty’ eye poke ends UFC main event with Belal Muhammad

UFC Fight Night 187 has ended in a sickening incident that has left one fighter crying and the other “heartbroken”.

Belal Muhammad was in agony.

Another night of UFC action has ended in a disappointing and controversial finish in a no contest in the headline fight between Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad

Coming a week after the Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan title fight finished with an illegal knee, and another illegal knee rocked the earlier part of the card, the welterweight clash ended with an ugly accidental eye poke.

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In his first fight in almost two years, Edwards was somewhat rusty but took an early lead with a 10-9 round in the first.

Edwards had been warned by referee Herb Dean in the first round for an eye poke as he put up an open hand rather than a fist that connected with Muhammad.

But early in the second round, Edwards poked Muhammad in the eye as he went for a kick with Muhammad falling to the canvas.

Belal Muhammad was in agony.

He was in tears as the doctor had a look with blood clearly coming from his eye.

Dean had to tell him to “breathe and relax” so the doctor could have a look.

“I can’t see anything,” Muhammad said as he continued wailing on the canvas.

🤦🏻‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/JuawZSd7HX

— danawhite (@danawhite) March 14, 2021

Edward even apologised for the incident and the pair shared a hug in the middle of the octagon but it took the steam out of both men.

Michael Bisping said “it’s one of the worst cases I’ve ever seen”.

“First of all, I apologised to Belal, I didn’t mean to do that, I went for the cross head kick,” Edwards said. “I went for the crosshead kick, he stepped into it and I really apologise.

“I’d rather a loss than that, you know. I’m heartbroken, I don’t know what to say.”

UFC president Dana White had dangled a fight with welterweight champion Kamuru Usman over Edwards’ head with a win and it left the Brit unsure of the next step.

“What now, what do I now?” Edwards said.

“I went in there focusing on my next chapter to be world champion; just heartbroken. It’s been a long, long year and a half and to come back to that.”

Leon Edwards was winning the fight.

Muhammad took to social media after the fight and revealed there was no permanent damage to the eye.

My heart is shattered my first main event ended like that but Gods the best of planners im sorry to the fans and the @ufc you deserved a full fight.. Alhamdillah the vision is coming back and no permanent damage to the eye I’ll be back and want to run it back @Leon_edwardsmmapic.twitter.com/5xsvhmZ5Uh

— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) March 14, 2021

It was equally hard to watch for UFC pros with some reacting with anger but all of them hoping Muhammad was alright.

Women’s bantamweight Jessica-Rose Clark tweeted: “As someone who gets eye poked every single sparring session, it’s f***ing horrible. And Belal’s looks worse than any I’ve ever experienced. Hope you heal up quick @bullyb170.”

What in the hell is going on??? Unintentional but damn man. That’s so so shitty. So many fouls, so many fouls. #UFCVegas21

— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) March 14, 2021

Bummer to see the fight end like that. Hope @bullyb170 eye is ok#UFCFightNight187

— Darren Elkins (@DarrenElkinsMMA) March 14, 2021

Hope his eye is ok. I was scared I was about to see an eye hanging. 🙏🏼 #UFC

— Niko Price (@Nikohybridprice) March 14, 2021

Man... what bummer!
What a horrible way for this fight to end.
I feel bad for both guys!#UFCVegas21

— Herbert Burns (@HerbertBurnsMMA) March 14, 2021

Wish I wasn't right

— Jamahal “Sweet Dreams” Hill (@JamahalH) March 14, 2021

FULL UFC FIGHT NIGHT 187 RESULTS

Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad, no contest (accidental eye poke) – Round 2, 0:18

Ryan Spann defeated Misha Cirkunov via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:11

Dan Ige defeated Gavin Tucker via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 0:22

Davey Grant defeated Jonathan Martinez via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 3:03

Matheus Nicolau defeated Manel Kape via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Eryk Anders vs. Darren Stewart, no contest (illegal knee) – Round 1, 4:37

PRELIMS

Angela Hill defeated Ashley Yoder via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Charles Jourdain defeated Marcelo Rojo via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 4:31

Rani Yahya defeated Ray Rodriguez via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 2, 3:09

Nasrat Haqparast defeated Rafa Garcia via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

J.J. Aldrich defeated Cortney Casey via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Jinh Yu Frey defeated Gloria de Paula via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Matthew Semelsberger defeated Jason Witt via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:16