Belal Muhammad

Last updated

Belal Muhammad
Belal Muhammad UFC.jpg
Muhammad in 2023
Born (1988-07-09) July 9, 1988 (age 36)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
NicknameRemember the Name
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
Division Welterweight
Reach72 in (183 cm) [1]
Fighting out ofChicago, Illinois, U.S.
Team Roufusport (2013–present) [2]
Chicago Fight Team (2010–present) [3]
Valle Flow Striking
RankBrown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu [1]
Years active2012–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total28
Wins24
By knockout5
By submission1
By decision18
Losses3
By knockout1
By decision2
No contests1
Other information
University University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Belal Muhammad (born July 9, 1988) is an American professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is the current UFC Welterweight Champion. As of September 17, 2024, he is #5 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings. [4] A professional competitor since 2012, he has also competed for Bellator and Titan FC.

Contents

Background

Muhammad was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, to Palestinian parents. [5] He has four siblings: an older brother, older sister and two younger brothers. [6] [7] He wrestled at Bogan High School where he had future PFL champion Louis Taylor as his wrestling coach. Taylor was later instrumental in training Muhammad for the latter's amateur career. He studied to become a lawyer [8] and graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. [9]

Mixed martial arts career

Shortly after a TKO victory over Steve Carl to become the Titan Fighting Championships Welterweight Champion, and push his record to 9–0, Muhammad signed with the UFC in 2016. [10]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On July 7, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 90, Muhammad made his UFC debut, as a short-notice replacement, against Alan Jouban. [11] He lost the fight via unanimous decision. [12] Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night bonuses for their performances. [13]

Muhammad next faced Augusto Montaño on September 17, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 94. [14] He won the fight via TKO in the third round. [15]

Muhammad was expected to face Lyman Good on November 12, 2016, at UFC 205. [16] However, on October 24, Good was pulled from the card after being notified by USADA of a potential anti-doping violation stemming from an out-of-competition drug test sample collected ten days earlier. [17] He was replaced by Vicente Luque. [18] Muhammad lost the fight via knockout in the first round. [19]

Muhammad was a short notice replacement and stepped in to face Randy Brown on February 11, 2017, at UFC 208. [20] He won the fight by unanimous decision. [21]

Muhammad faced Jordan Mein on July 8, 2017, at UFC 213. [22] He won the fight by unanimous decision. [23]

Muhammad was expected to face Jesse Taylor on November 19, 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura. [24] However, on September 13, it was announced that Taylor was pulled from the card after being notified by USADA of a potential doping violation stemming from an out-of-competition drug test conducted on August 22. [25] He was replaced by Tim Means. [26] Muhammad won the fight via split decision. [27]

Muhammad was expected to face Niko Price on June 1, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 131. [28] However, Price was removed from the bout on May 22 for undisclosed reasons and replaced by promotional newcomer Chance Rencountre. [29] Muhammad won the fight via unanimous decision. [30]

Muhammad was scheduled to meet Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos on September 22, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 137. [31] However, on September 14, 2018, Muhammad was pulled from the bout and he was replaced by newcomer Luigi Vendramini. [32]

Muhammad faced Geoff Neal on January 19, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 143. [33] He lost the fight by unanimous decision. [34]

Muhammad faced Curtis Millender on April 13, 2019, at UFC 236. [35] He won the fight by unanimous decision. [36]

Muhammad faced Takashi Sato on September 7, 2019, at UFC 242. [37] He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round. [38] This win earned Muhammad his first Performance of the Night award. [39]

Muhammad was expected to face Lyman Good on April 18, 2020, at UFC 249. [40] However on April 4, Good pulled out due to COVID-19 infection. [41] [42] The bout was rebooked and eventually took place on June 20, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Volkov. [43] He won the fight via unanimous decision. [44]

Muhammad was expected to face Sean Brady on December 19, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 183. [45] However in late October, Brady had a broken nose and had to pull out of their bout, [46] and he was replaced by Dhiego Lima. [47] Subsequently, Muhammed was diagnosed with COVID-19 during the week leading up to the event and the bout was scrapped from the card [48] and the bout was rescheduled to February 13, 2021, at UFC 258 [49] Muhammad won the fight via unanimous decision. [50]

Muhammad faced Leon Edwards on March 13, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 187. [51] During the second round, Edwards poked Muhammad in the eye rendering him unable to continue. The fight was declared a no contest. [52]

Muhammad faced Demian Maia on June 12, 2021, at UFC 263. [53] Muhammad won the fight via unanimous decision. [54]

Muhammad faced Stephen Thompson on December 18, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus. [55] He won the bout via unanimous decision. [56]

Muhammad faced Vicente Luque in a rematch on April 16, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 34. [57] He won the fight via unanimous decision. [58]

Muhammad faced Sean Brady on October 22, 2022, at UFC 280. [59] He won the bout via TKO stoppage at the end of the second round. [60] UFC Hall of Famer and former UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was one of his cornermen for this fight. [61] He received his second Performance of the Night bonus. [62]

Muhammad faced Gilbert Burns on May 6, 2023, at UFC 288. [63] Muhammad won by unanimous decision. [64]

UFC Welterweight Champion

Muhammad faced Leon Edwards in a rematch, for the UFC Welterweight Championship on July 27, 2024, at UFC 304. [65] He won the fight and the title by unanimous decision. [66]

Muhammad was scheduled to make his first UFC Welterweight Championship defense against undefeated contender Shavkat Rakhmonov on December 7, 2024 at UFC 310. [67] However, due to a bone infection in his foot, Muhammad was forced to withdraw and it is unknown whether or not Rakhmonov will remain on the card or if the bout will be moved to a later date. [68]

Professional grappling career

Muhammad was scheduled to compete against Tarek Suleiman in the no gi co-main event of ADXC 1 on October 20, 2023. [69] He withdrew from the match on short notice and was replaced by Marvin Vettori. [70]

Personal life

Muhammad is a Muslim, [71] and an outspoken supporter of Palestine. [72] He has denounced the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis showing support for Palestinians while also condemning antisemitism. [73]

On June 1, 2020, businesses owned by Muhammad's father and cousins in Chicago were looted and destroyed as a result of the George Floyd unrest. [74]

He threw the ceremonial first pitch for the Chicago Cubs on July 28, 2021. [75]

He represents Palestine. [76] [77] [78]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
28 matches24 wins3 losses
By knockout51
By submission10
By decision182
No contests1
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win24–3 (1) Leon Edwards Decision (unanimous) UFC 304 July 27, 202455:00 Manchester, EnglandWon the UFC Welterweight Championship.
Win23–3 (1) Gilbert Burns Decision (unanimous) UFC 288 May 6, 202355:00 Newark, New Jersey, United States
Win22–3 (1) Sean Brady TKO (punches) UFC 280 October 22, 202224:47 Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesPerformance of the Night.
Win21–3 (1) Vicente Luque Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. Muhammad 2 April 16, 202255:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win20–3 (1) Stephen Thompson Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus December 18, 202135:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win19–3 (1) Demian Maia Decision (unanimous) UFC 263 June 12, 202135:00 Glendale, Arizona, United States
NC18–3 (1) Leon Edwards NC (accidental eye poke) UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad March 13, 202120:18 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesAccidental eye poke rendered Muhammad unable to continue.
Win18–3 Dhiego Lima Decision (unanimous) UFC 258 February 13, 202135:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win17–3 Lyman Good Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Volkov June 20, 202035:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win16–3 Takashi Sato Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 242 September 7, 201931:55 Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesPerformance of the Night.
Win15–3 Curtis Millender Decision (unanimous) UFC 236 April 13, 201935:00 Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Loss14–3 Geoff Neal Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw January 19, 201935:00 Brooklyn, New York, United States
Win14–2 Chance Rencountre Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Rivera vs. Moraes June 1, 201835:00 Utica, New York, United States
Win13–2 Tim Means Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura November 19, 201735:00 Sydney, Australia
Win12–2 Jordan Mein Decision (unanimous) UFC 213 July 8, 201735:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win11–2 Randy Brown Decision (unanimous) UFC 208 February 11, 201735:00 Brooklyn, New York, United States
Loss10–2 Vicente Luque KO (punches) UFC 205 November 12, 201611:19 New York City, New York, United States
Win10–1 Augusto Montaño TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Johnson September 17, 201634:19 Hidalgo, Texas, United States
Loss9–1 Alan Jouban Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Alvarez July 7, 201635:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesFight of the Night.
Win9–0 Steve Carl TKO (punches)Titan FC 38April 30, 201644:07 Miami, Florida, United StatesWon the inaugural Titan FC Welterweight Championship.
Win8–0Zane KamakaDecision (unanimous)Titan FC 35September 19, 201535:00 Ridgefield, Washington, United States
Win7–0Keith JohnsonDecision (unanimous)Titan FC 33March 20, 201535:00 Mobile, Alabama, United StatesCatchweight (174 lb) bout; Johnson missed weight.
Win6–0 Chris Curtis Decision (unanimous)Hoosier Fight Club 21September 13, 201435:00 Valparaiso, Indiana, United States
Win5–0 A.J. Matthews Decision (unanimous) Bellator 112 March 14, 201435:00 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win4–0Garrett GrossDecision (unanimous)Hoosier Fight Club 18November 9, 201335:00 Valparaiso, Indiana, United States
Win3–0Jimmy FritzTKO (punches)Hoosier Fight Club 15April 6, 201322:19 Valparaiso, Indiana, United States
Win2–0Quinton McCottrellDecision (unanimous) Bellator 84 December 14, 201235:00 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win1–0Justin BrockTKO (punches)Hoosier Fight Club 12August 18, 201212:17 Valparaiso, Indiana, United StatesWelterweight debut.

[83]

Pay-per-view bouts

No.EventFightDateVenueCityPPV buys
1. UFC 304 Edwards vs. Muhammad 2July 27, 2024 Co-op Live Manchester, England, United KingdomNot Disclosed [84]

See also

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References

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  61. ↑ Hannoun, Farah (October 1, 2022). "Belal Muhammad says Khabib Nurmagomedov will corner him at UFC 280". MMAjunkie . Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  62. 1 2 Staff (October 22, 2022). "UFC 280 bonuses: The Sean O'Malley-Petr Yan banger was a $50,000 no-brainer". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  63. ↑ Bohn, Mike (April 20, 2023). "UFC 288 adds Gilbert Burns vs. Belal Muhammad as short notice five-round co-headliner". MMA Junkie. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  64. ↑ Rush, Dylan (May 7, 2023). "UFC 288: Belal Muhammad Earns Decision, Title Shot Against Injured Gilbert Burns". Cageside Press. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  65. ↑ "UFC 304 official with Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad headliner and more in Manchester". MMA Junkie. May 16, 2024. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  66. ↑ Jay Anderson (July 28, 2024). "UFC 304: Belal Muhammad Survives Late Surge, Claims Gold from Leon Edwards". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  67. ↑ Nick Baldwin (October 12, 2024). "Muhammad-Rakhmonov, Pantoja-Asakura set for UFC 310". thescore.com. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
  68. ↑ Mike Heck (October 31, 2024). "Belal Muhammad out of UFC 310 main event vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov". mmafighting.com. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  69. ↑ Blackett, Todd (September 28, 2023). "Belal Muhammad Set To Compete In ADXC 1 Co-Main Event". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  70. ↑ Jones, Phil (October 14, 2023). "Marvin Vettori Replaces Belal Muhammad At ADXC 1". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  71. ↑ "Belal Muhammad On Fighting During Ramadan, Representing 'Real Muslims' - FloCombat". www.flocombat.com. May 31, 2018. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  72. ↑ Khaled, Ali (June 7, 2021). "Belal Muhammad proud to display Palestinian roots in bid to upset Demian Maia at UFC". Arab News. Saudi Research and Media Group.
  73. ↑ Bissell, Tim (May 19, 2021). "'Pro Palestine, without being antisemitic'; Badr Hari, Belal Muhammad speak out about ethnic cleansing in Palestine". Bloody Elbow. SB Nation.
  74. ↑ "UFC's Belal Muhammad says dad's store was 'looted and destroyed' during George Floyd protests". bloodyelbow.com. June 2, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  75. ↑ Calhoun, Curtis (October 18, 2023). "Belal Muhammad threw out the Cubs first pitch in his Crocs (Video)". Fansided. Minute Media.
  76. 1 2 Sammy Baroud (July 28, 2024). "'For Palestine' – Belal Muhammad Becomes First Palestinian to be Undisputed UFC Champion". palestinechronicle.com. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
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  78. ↑ News Desk (July 28, 2024). "Gaza wins: Belal Muhammad becomes first Palestinian fighter to win UFC title". thecurrent.pk. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  79. ↑ Lee, Alexander K. (September 7, 2019). "Khabib Nurmagemodov leads quartet of UFC 242 performance bonuses". MMA Fighting. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
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  82. ↑ "MMAjunkie's 'Fight of the Month' for January: A bloody barnburner". mmajunkie.com. February 1, 2019.
  83. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Belal". Sherdog. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  84. ↑ "UFC 304: Edwards vs. Muhammad 2 | MMA Event". Tapology.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by 14th UFC Welterweight Champion
July 27, 2024 – present		Incumbent
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