UFC star Belal Muhammad got a hero’s welcome as he drove down Wilmslow Road following his shock win over Birmingham-based fighter Leon Edwards this weekend.
In a blockbuster night of combat sports at the Co-op Live, the first time the promotion has returned to Manchester since 2016, the American mixed martial artist stunned those inside the arena and watching at home with a huge victory over the Jamaican-born Brit.
Clinching the welterweight title with a dominant display against Edwards, who saw his 12-fight unbeaten streak brought to an end, it was arguably the biggest story of the highly anticipated fight card.
Neither of the fighters are from the area but judging by the scenes along Wilmslow Road following the fight, you’d be forgiven for thinking Belal Muhammad was a Manc through and through.
As you can see from the images above, the 36-year-old and his entourage suddenly found themselves swarmed by hordes of fans and shutting down a significant stretch of Rusholme.
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You’ll find Curry Mile bustling pretty much every week in 0161 but it’s very few people that can effectively lock off a good chunk of one of Greater Manchester’s busiest roads like this – especially when Edwards was one of three big-name UK fighters being backed on the night.
The pair had faced each other previously back in 2021 but the bout ultimately had to be stopped after an accidental eye poke by the Brummy.
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Nevertheless, the question of who would come out on top was finally answered and in convincing fashion, with Muhammad throwing and out-clinching his opponent for the majority of the match before getting the win in the fifth round.
The result produced some memorable scenes out on the streets long after the referee’s decision, with the Chicago fighter of Palestinian heritage getting a rousing reception from south Manchester residents.
okay this video of Belal Muhammad riding through Manchester in Palestine colours with the belt goes kind of hard pic.twitter.com/JdJs1IgAq2
Speaking after the fight, Muhammad told the media that he was tired coming into the fight, not that it ended up being a problem, going on to definitely declare: “I’m no Khabib [Nurmagomedov], I’m no GSP [Georges St-Pierre] I’m Belal Muhammad.”
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Elsewhere, in a similarly bold statement, homegrown hero Tom Aspinall signed off his first heavyweight title defence by calling out UFC legend Jon Jones.
Manchester United announce signing of new women’s striker Lea Schüller
Danny Jones
Manchester United Women have revealed another new player, officially announcing the signing of German striker Lea Schüller.
The experienced forward joins the Man United women’s team from reigning Frauen-Bundesliga champions, Bayern Munich, having spent half a decade with the seven-time winners.
Schuller is the third deal done in just a matter of a few days, following another European international, Hanna Lundkvist, who will officially join up with the team on 1 January.
Unveiled on Monday, 29 December, the 28-year-old made more than a century of appearances for Bayern and helped them to four of those titles, as well as a Women’s DFB-Pokal German cup.
Safe to say she arrived in Manchester with a fair bit of pedigree.
Also scoring over 100 goals in her five years with the club, as well as 54 goals in 82 appearances for Germany, with whom she finished as runners-up when England defeated them in the Euro 2022 final.
Speaking in her first official club statement, Schüller said: “From the first conversations that I had with Marc and the club, the ambitions of everyone here were very clear. I still have so much that I want to achieve in my career, and I know that Manchester United is the perfect club to join.
“I feel that the team’s style of football will really suit my game; I hope my qualities and experience can help us to achieve our aims both in England and in the Champions League.”
The club is definitely having a productive recruitment period as promised, with Marc Skinner looking to bring in even more before the end of the January transfer window.
As for Schüller, she has signed a contract until June 2029, and you can expect Skinner and his coaching staff to start introducing her into their offensive line around her very soon.
Matt Johnson, Director of Women’s Football at Manchester United, went on to add: “Lea’s goalscoring record is phenomenal, her style of play will give our attack an exciting new dimension. We are delighted to add a player of her pedigree to the group.
“Lea’s winning mentality and experience will really help our young and ambitious team as we continue to grow together and compete across domestic and European competitions.”
You can see her first full interview as a Man United Women’s star down below.
The Olympic bronze medallist should contribute plenty.
VAR audio requested as Nottingham Forest prepare complaint after Man City defeat
Danny Jones
Nottingham Forest have requested that the VAR audio from their game against Manchester City be released, as they are considering launching a formal complaint following the defeat.
Forest hosted Man City at home this past weekend and went on to lose 2-1.
However, Sean Dyche’s side are said to be ‘extremely unhappy’ with some of the refereeing decisions made by first official, Rob Jones, on the day.
As a result, they are now asking the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) to share some of the conversations between on-pitch officials and the VAR team at Stockley Park in West London.
"I'm scratching my head and I can't believe it!" 😳
Sean Dyche wasn't happy with the officiating in their loss to Man City 😬
As you can see, Dyche initially said that “there’s no point” in pushing the refs on their performance, as he feels they usually only “get in trouble”, but it looks as though his employers have advocated for him.
Nottingham Forest had a problem with the final call in a number of instances during the festive fixture on Saturday, 27 December, but none more so than in one key moment.
The manager and his coaching team felt that Rayan Cherki’s 83rd-minute winner should have been cancelled out following a foul by Nico O’Reilly on Morgan Gibbs-White in the preceding corner, which may have prevented Cherki from scoring another decisive finish.
Dyche also argued that another City defender, Ruben Dias, was due a second yellow card and therefore dismissal from the pitch for a challenge after the break, but there was ultimately nothing doing.
You can see the collision here:
"I do have sympathy for Sean Dyche… it is a second yellow card!"
Ref Watch discuss whether Ruben Dias should have been sent off against Nottingham Forest. pic.twitter.com/dxTYmGsEqZ
According to Sky Sports News, Nottingham have already requested more information from the refereeing body, with this not being the first time they’ve felt hard done by.
As they put it, the hope/belief is that raising the issue could help “start a broader discussion around officiating this season.”
What do you make of Forest’s concerns against Manchester City, and do you think they’re worthy of launching an official complaint against the PGMOL and Premier League?
You can see the highlights from the game and perhaps decide for yourself down below.
Danny Jones -
29th July 2024 
