Belal Muhammad
Belal Muhammad of the UFC
Born (1988-07-09) July 9, 1988
Chicago, Illinois, US
NicknameRemember the Name
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
DivisionWelterweight
Reach72 in (183 cm)[1]
Fighting out ofChicago, Illinois, US
TeamRoufusport (2013–present)[2]
Chicago Fight Team (2010–present)[3]
Valle Flow Striking
RankPurple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Daniel Wanderley[4]
Years active2012–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total27
Wins23
By knockout5
By submission1
By decision17
Losses3
By knockout1
By decision2
No contests1
Other information
UniversityUniversity 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). A professional competitor since 2012, he has also competed for Bellator and Titan FC. As of October 24, 2023, he is #2 in the UFC welterweight rankings.[5]

Background

Muhammad was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, to Palestinian parents.[6] He has four siblings: an older brother, older sister and two younger brothers.[7][8] He wrestled at Bogan High School and attended, but did not complete a degree, at 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 honors 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] He defeated him by unanimous decision.[64]

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.[65] He withdrew from the match on short notice and was replaced by Marvin Vettori.[66]

Personal life

Muhammad is a Muslim,[67] and an outspoken supporter of Palestine.[68] He has denounced the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip showing support for Palestinians while also condemning antisemitism.[69]

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.[70]

He threw the ceremonial first pitch for the Chicago Cubs on July 28, 2021.[71]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
27 matches 23 wins 3 losses
By knockout 5 1
By submission 1 0
By decision 17 2
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 23–3 (1) Gilbert Burns Decision (unanimous) UFC 288 May 6, 2023 5 5:00 Newark, New Jersey, United States
Win 22–3 (1) Sean Brady TKO (punches) UFC 280 October 22, 2022 2 4:47 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Performance of the Night.
Win 21–3 (1) Vicente Luque Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. Muhammad 2 April 16, 2022 5 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 20–3 (1) Stephen Thompson Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus December 18, 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 19–3 (1) Demian Maia Decision (unanimous) UFC 263 June 12, 2021 3 5:00 Glendale, Arizona, United States
NC 18–3 (1) Leon Edwards NC (accidental eye poke) UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad March 13, 2021 2 0:18 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Accidental eye poke rendered Muhammad unable to continue.
Win 18–3 Dhiego Lima Decision (unanimous) UFC 258 February 13, 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 17–3 Lyman Good Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Volkov June 20, 2020 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 16–3 Takashi Sato Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 242 September 7, 2019 3 1:55 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Performance of the Night.
Win 15–3 Curtis Millender Decision (unanimous) UFC 236 April 13, 2019 3 5:00 Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Loss 14–3 Geoff Neal Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw January 19, 2019 3 5:00 Brooklyn, New York, United States
Win 14–2 Chance Rencountre Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Rivera vs. Moraes June 1, 2018 3 5:00 Utica, New York, United States
Win 13–2 Tim Means Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura November 19, 2017 3 5:00 Sydney, Australia
Win 12–2 Jordan Mein Decision (unanimous) UFC 213 July 8, 2017 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 11–2 Randy Brown Decision (unanimous) UFC 208 February 11, 2017 3 5:00 Brooklyn, New York, United States
Loss 10–2 Vicente Luque KO (punches) UFC 205 November 12, 2016 1 1:19 New York City, New York, United States
Win 10–1 Augusto Montaño TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Johnson September 17, 2016 3 4:19 Hidalgo, Texas, United States
Loss 9–1 Alan Jouban Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Alvarez July 7, 2016 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 9–0 Steve Carl TKO (punches) Titan FC 38 April 30, 2016 4 4:07 Miami, Florida, United States Won the Titan FC Welterweight Championship.
Win 8–0 Zane Kamaka Decision (unanimous) Titan FC 35 September 19, 2015 3 5:00 Ridgefield, Washington, United States
Win 7–0 Keith Johnson Decision (unanimous) Titan FC 33 March 20, 2015 3 5:00 Mobile, Alabama, United States Catchweight (174 lb) bout; Johnson missed weight.
Win 6–0 Chris Curtis Decision (unanimous) Hoosier Fight Club 21 September 13, 2014 3 5:00 Valparaiso, Indiana, United States
Win 5–0 A.J. Matthews Decision (unanimous) Bellator 112 March 14, 2014 3 5:00 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win 4–0 Garrett Gross Decision (unanimous) Hoosier Fight Club 18 November 9, 2013 3 5:00 Valparaiso, Indiana, United States
Win 3–0 Jimmy Fritz TKO (punches) Hoosier Fight Club 15 April 6, 2013 2 2:19 Valparaiso, Indiana, United States
Win 2–0 Quinton McCottrell Decision (unanimous) Bellator 84 December 14, 2012 3 5:00 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win 1–0 Justin Brock TKO (punches) Hoosier Fight Club 12 August 18, 2012 1 2:17 Valparaiso, Indiana, United States Welterweight debut.

[75]

See also

References

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  2. Tim Thompson (August 30, 2016). "Exclusive Interview With UFC Welterweight Contender Belal Muhammad". Mma News | Ufc News, Results & Interviews.
  3. Danny Doherty (September 15, 2016). "UFC Hidalgo: Belal Muhammad Looking for More Bonus Money". cagepages.com.
  4. @bullyb170 (May 24, 2017). ""(...) I was promoted to purple belt today!!!! (...)"". Retrieved July 9, 2017 via Instagram.
  5. "UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions | UFC.com". www.ufc.com. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  6. Hannoun, Farah (September 3, 2019). "Fighting, faith and family: Belal Muhammad proud to represent ahead of UFC 242". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  7. Steven Marrocco (January 9, 2021). "Belal Muhammad aiming for breakthrough 2021: 'I belong fighting these top-tier guys'". mmafighting.com.
  8. Brendan Schaub (June 14, 2022). "Belal Muhammad | Food Truck Diaries w/ Brendan Schaub" (Podcast).
  9. Raimondi, Marc (November 12, 2016). "Muhammad embracing idea of being Muslim role model". MMA Fighting. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
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  58. Anderson, Jay (April 17, 2022). "UFC Vegas 51: Belal Muhammad's Wrestling, Movement Key in Win Over Vicente Luque". Cageside Press. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
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  60. Anderson, Jay (October 22, 2022). "UFC 280: Belal Muhammad Becomes First to Beat, Stop Sean Brady". Cageside Press. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
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  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. Blackett, Todd (September 28, 2023). "Belal Muhammad Set To Compete In ADXC 1 Co-Main Event". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  66. Jones, Phil (October 14, 2023). "Marvin Vettori Replaces Belal Muhammad At ADXC 1". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  67. "Belal Muhammad On Fighting During Ramadan, Representing 'Real Muslims' - FloCombat". www.flocombat.com. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  68. 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.
  69. 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.
  70. UFC’s Belal Muhammad says dad’s store was ‘looted and destroyed’ during George Floyd protests Mookie Alexander, MMA Fighting (June 2, 2020)
  71. Calhoun, Curtis (October 18, 2023). "Belal Muhammad threw out the Cubs first pitch in his Crocs (Video)". Fansided. Minute Media.
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