Outlook: Now that Leon Edwards is firmly in the spotlight, Belal Muhammad probably steps into the role of the biggest dark horse not just at 170 pounds, but on the roster as a whole. “Remember the Name” has steadily built an eight-fight unbeaten streak, and his scheduled fight with the undefeated Sean Brady could cement his spot in the top 5 in the division. After steadily climbing, Muhammad must now protect his place against another marauding fighter. At 34, Muhammad is in a prime position to challenge for the title sooner rather than later, especially if he picks up a few more dominant wins.
In the mix: Geoff Neal, Sean Brady, Jorge Masvidal
Outlook: The much-vaunted longtime Geoff Neal got that decisive win he was hoping for when he finished Vicente Luque in their highly anticipated bout, and he’s likely positioned himself for a top-7 match in the near future. “Handz of Steel” responded well to a two-fight losing streak with wins over Santiago Ponzinibbio and Luque, and along the way showed better form than ever.