A new UFC Welterweight champion has been crowned as Belal Muhammad dethroned Leon Edwards in a stunning unanimous decision victory in the main event of UFC 304 at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England on Saturday.

In the highly anticipated rematch, Muhammad, now the first ever Palestinian-American UFC champion, put on a wrestling clinic to neutralize Leon Edwards’ striking and secure a unanimous decision win.

The judges scored the bout 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46, all in favor of Muhammad.

Muhammad’s game plan was clear from the outset as he repeatedly took Edwards down and controlled him on the ground.

Despite Edwards’ attempts to escape and land strikes from the bottom, Muhammad’s grappling prowess and improved striking kept the champion at bay throughout the 25 minutes.

“It sounds like a lot of the people booing have a lot of tears in their eyes right now,” an emotional Muhammad said in his post-fight interview.

“I’ve worked my whole life for this moment, and I’m just getting started,” he added.

Edwards put his lackluster performance down to fatigue in the week leading up to the fight.

“No surprises. My body just felt tired from round one. Congrats to Belal. He got the job done and we’ll get it back again,” Edwards said after the fight.

The Kingston-born southpaw was attempting to successfully defend his title for the third time.