Belal Muhammad

Muhammad was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, to Palestinian parents.{{cite web |last1=Hannoun |first1=Farah |title=Fighting, faith and family: Belal Muhammad proud to represent ahead of UFC 242 |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2019/09/ufc-242-belal-muhammad-fighting-faith-family |website=mmajunkie.usatoday.com |date=September 3, 2019 |access-date=16 February 2021}} He has four siblings: an older brother, older sister and two younger brothers.{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/1/9/22218044/belal-muhammad-aiming-for-breakthrough-2021-i-belong-fighting-these-top-tier-guys|title=Belal Muhammad aiming for breakthrough 2021: 'I belong fighting these top-tier guys'|date=January 9, 2021|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Steven Marrocco}}{{cite podcast|url=https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cub21ueWNvbnRlbnQuY29tL2QvcGxheWxpc3QvOWI3ZGFjZGYtYTkyNS00Zjk1LTg0ZGMtYWM0NjAwMzQ1MWZmLzMwYTZlYzUzLWU0OTYtNGM2Ny05MzhkLWFjYjUwMDM2NDI1MS9mMTc1ODYzYi00MjQxLTQ1NzYtOTZiYi1hY2I1MDAzNjQyNjAvcG9kY2FzdC5yc3M/episode/ZDhhNGRhOWQtYTE4MS00MDgxLTg4ZWItYWViNTAwMTJkYTYx|title=Belal Muhammad {{pipe}} Food Truck Diaries w/ Brendan Schaub|date=June 14, 2022|host=Brendan Schaub}} 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 {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9MTmo-SLZI&t=6020s|title=JRE MMA Show #162 with Belal Muhammad|date=September 6, 2024|via=YouTube}} and graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.{{cite web |last1=Raimondi |first1=Marc |title=Muhammad embracing idea of being Muslim role model|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2016/11/12/13529224/in-tense-political-climate-belal-muhammad-hoping-to-use-ufc-platform |website=MMA Fighting |access-date=14 March 2021 |language=en |date=12 November 2016}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2016/5/27/11799514/welcome-to-the-ufc-belal-muhammad|title=Welcome to the UFC, Belal Muhammad|publisher=bloodyelbow.com|author=Zane Simon|date=2016-05-27|accessdate=2016-05-27|archive-date=July 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706221433/https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2016/5/27/11799514/welcome-to-the-ufc-belal-muhammad|url-status=dead}}

On July 7, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 90, Muhammad made his UFC debut, as a short-notice replacement, against Alan Jouban.{{cite news|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Alan-Jouban-Gets-New-Opponent-Belal-Muhammad-for-UFC-Fight-Night-on-July-7-106175|title=Alan Jouban gets new opponent Belal Muhammad for UFC Fight Night on July 7|publisher=sherdog.com|author=Tristen Critchfield|date=2016-06-08|accessdate=2016-06-08}} He lost the fight via unanimous decision.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/07/ufc-fight-night-90-results-alan-jouban-outworks-gutsy-belal-muhammad-for-decision-win|title=UFC Fight Night 90 results: Alan Jouban outworks gutsy Belal Muhammad for decision win|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Brent Brookhouse|date=2016-07-07|accessdate=2016-07-07}} Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night bonuses for their performances.{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/UFC-Fight-Night-Bonuses-Alvarez-Jouban-Muhammad-Munhoz-Collect-3650K-107639|title=UFC Fight Night bonuses: Alvarez, Jouban, Muhammad, Munhoz collect $50K|publisher=sherdog.com|author=Tristen Critchfield|date=2016-07-07|accessdate=2016-07-07}}

Muhammad next faced Augusto Montaño on September 17, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 94.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/07/augusto-montano-vs-belal-muhammad-added-to-ufc-fight-night-94-in-texas|title=Augusto Montano vs. Belal Muhammad added to UFC Fight Night 94 in Texas|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2016-07-21|accessdate=2016-07-21}} He won the fight via TKO in the third round.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/09/ufc-fight-night-94-results-belal-muhammad-drops-hands-on-augusto-montano-for-late-stoppage|title=UFC Fight Night 94 results: Belal Muhammad drops hands on Augusto Montano for late stoppage|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Ben Fowlkes|date=2016-09-17|accessdate=2016-09-17}}

Muhammad was expected to face Lyman Good on November 12, 2016, at UFC 205.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2016/9/23/13034664/ufc-205-fight-card-belal-muhammad-gets-quick-turnaround-fights-lyman-good|title=Belal Muhammad gets quick turnaround, fights Lyman Good at UFC 205|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Shaun Al-Shatti|date=2016-09-23|accessdate=2015-09-23}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/10/lyman-good-receives-usada-notice-pulled-from-ufc-205|title=Lyman Good receives USADA notice, pulled from UFC 205|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2016-10-24|accessdate=2016-10-24}} He was replaced by Vicente Luque.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmamania.com/2016/10/25/13411294/vicente-luque-finds-good-reason-fight-belal-muhammad-ufc-205-mma|title=Vicente Luque has Good reason to face Belal Muhammad at UFC 205|publisher=mmamania.com|author=Jesse Holland|accessdate=2016-10-25|date=2016-10-25}} Muhammad lost the fight via knockout in the first round.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/11/ufc-205-results-vicente-luque-ends-belal-muhammads-night-in-79-seconds-with-vicious-ko|title=UFC 205 results: Vicente Luque ends Belal Muhammad's night in 79 seconds with vicious KO|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Steven Marrocco|date=2016-11-12|accessdate=2016-11-12}}

Muhammad was a short notice replacement and stepped in to face Randy Brown on February 11, 2017, at UFC 208.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2017/02/with-sullivan-out-randy-brown-now-meets-belal-muhammad-at-ufc-208-in-brooklyn|title=With Sullivan out, Randy Brown now meets Belal Muhammad at UFC 208 in Brooklyn|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2017-02-04|accessdate=2017-02-04}} He won the fight by unanimous decision.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2017/02/ufc-208-results-belal-muhammad-cruises-past-new-yorks-randy-brown-for-decision-win|title=UFC 208 results: Belal Muhammad cruises past New York's Randy Brown for decision win|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Ben Fowlkes|date=2017-02-11|accessdate=2017-02-11}}

Muhammad faced Jordan Mein on July 8, 2017, at UFC 213.{{cite web|url=https://calgaryherald.com/sports/ufc/lethbridge-fighter-jordan-mein-to-battle-belal-muhammad-in-ufc-213|title=Lethbridge fighter Jordan Mein to battle Belal Muhammad in UFC 213|publisher=calgaryherald.com|author=Daniel Austin|date=2017-05-25|accessdate=2017-05-25}} He won the fight by unanimous decision.{{Cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2017/07/ufc-213-results-belal-muhammad-soundly-defeats-jordan-mein-by-unanimous-decision|title=UFC 213 results: Belal Muhammad soundly defeats Jordan Mein by unanimous decision|date=2017-07-09|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2017-07-09|language=en-US}}

Muhammad was expected to face Jesse Taylor on November 19, 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura.{{cite web |url=http://mmajunkie.com/2017/08/belal-muhammad-jesse-taylor-ufc-fight-night-121-australia|title=Belal Muhammad says he's fighting Jesse Taylor at UFC Fight Night 121 in Australia|publisher=mmajunkie.com|date=2017-08-17|accessdate=2017-08-17|author=Staff}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/TUF-25-Winner-Jesse-Taylor-Facing-AntiDoping-Violation-Removed-from-UFC-Fight-Night-121-126905|title='TUF 25' winner Jesse Taylor facing anti-doping violation, removed from UFC Fight Night 121

|website=sherdog.com|author=Tristen Critchfield|date=2017-09-13|accessdate=2017-09-13}} He was replaced by Tim Means.{{cite web|url=https://mma-today.com/exclusive-tim-means-vs-belal-muhammad-works-ufc-Sydney|title=Tim Means vs. Belal Muhammad in the works for UFC Sydney|author=Shawn Bitter|publisher=mma-today.com|date=2017-10-11|accessdate=2017-10-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011233114/https://mma-today.com/exclusive-tim-means-vs-belal-muhammad-works-ufc-Sydney|archive-date=2017-10-11|url-status=dead}} Muhammad won the fight via split decision.{{Cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2017/11/ufc-sydney-belal-muhammad-takes-split-tim-means-calls-out-colby-covington|title=UFC Fight Night 121 results: Belal Muhammad takes split from Tim Means, calls out Colby Covington|date=2017-11-19|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2017-11-19|language=en-US}}

Muhammad was expected to face Niko Price on June 1, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 131.{{cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2018/04/fc-fight-night-131-utica-belal-muhammad-niko-price-julio-arce-daniel-teymur-mma|title=UFC Fight Night 131 in Utica gets two new bouts|website=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2018-04-11|accessdate=2018-04-11}} However, Price was removed from the bout on May 22 for undisclosed reasons and replaced by promotional newcomer Chance Rencountre.{{cite news|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/05/belal-muhammad-chance-rencountre-replaces-niko-price-ufc-fight-night-131-utica-mma|title=Belal Muhammad gets new opponent for UFC Fight Night 131 in Utica|website=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2018-05-22|accessdate=2018-05-22}} Muhammad won the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite news|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/06/ufc-fight-night-131-results-belal-muhammad-unanimous-decision-chance-rencountre-utica|title=UFC Fight Night 131 results: Belal Muhammad makes easy work of Chance Rencountre|date=2018-06-02|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2018-06-02|language=en-US}}

Muhammad was scheduled to meet Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos on September 22, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 137.{{Cite news|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/07/belal-muhammad-vs-elizeu-zaleski-dos-santos-added-to-ufc-fight-night-137-in-brazil|title=Belal Muhammad vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos added to UFC Fight Night 137 in Brazil|date=2018-07-13|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2018-07-13|language=en-US}} However, on September 14, 2018, Muhammad was pulled from the bout and he was replaced by newcomer Luigi Vendramini.{{Cite news|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/9/14/17862058/undefeated-newcomer-luigi-vendramini-belal-muhammad-elizeu-zaleski-ufc-sao-paulo|title=Undefeated newcomer Luigi Vendramini replaces Belal Muhammad at UFC Sao Paulo|work=MMA Fighting|access-date=2018-09-17}}

Muhammad faced Geoff Neal on January 19, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 143.{{cite news|url=https://www.newsday.com/sports/mixed-martial-arts/ufc-espn-brooklyn-belal-muhammad-1.22980655|title=UFC on ESPN+ in Brooklyn gets its first scheduled bout|publisher=newsday.com|author=Mark La Monica|date=2018-11-06|accessdate=2018-11-06}} He lost the fight by unanimous decision.{{cite news|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/1/19/18189942/ufc-brooklyn-results-geoff-neal-scores-impressive-win-over-belal-muhammad|title=UFC Brooklyn results: Geoff Neal scores impressive win over Belal Muhammad|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Dave Doyle|date=2019-01-19|accessdate=2019-01-21}}

Muhammad faced Curtis Millender on April 13, 2019, at UFC 236.{{Cite web|url=http://mmadna.nl/snelle-terugkeer-voor-curtis-millender-tegen-belal-muhammad-tijdens-ufc-236-in-atlanta/|title=Snelle terugkeer voor Curtis Millender tegen Belal Muhammad tijdens UFC 236 in Atlanta|author=Marcel Dorff|date=March 15, 2019 |language=nl|access-date=2021-11-11}} He won the fight by unanimous decision.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2019/04/ufc-236-results-belal-muhammad-outpoints-curtis-millender|title=UFC 236 results: Belal Muhammad relentless pressure too much for Curtis Millender|date=2019-04-14|website=MMA Junkie|language=en|access-date=2019-04-14}}

Muhammad faced Takashi Sato on September 7, 2019, at UFC 242.{{Cite web|url=https://mmadna.nl/belal-muhammad-vs-takashi-sato-eerste-gevecht-voor-ufc-242-in-abu-dhabi/|title=Belal Muhammad vs. Takashi Sato eerste gevecht voor UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi|author=Marcel Dorff|date=May 13, 2019 |language=nl|access-date=2021-11-11}} He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2019/09/07/ufc-242-results-muhammad-vs-sato/|title=UFC 242 Results: Belal Muhammad Wraps Up Win Over Takeshi Sato With Third-Round Submission|last=Anderson|first=Jay|date=2019-09-07|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-07}} This win earned Muhammad his first Performance of the Night award.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/9/7/20854693/khabib-nurmagemodov-leads-quartet-of-ufc-242-performance-bonuses|title=Khabib Nurmagemodov leads quartet of UFC 242 performance bonuses|last=Lee|first=Alexander K.|date=2019-09-07|website=MMA Fighting|access-date=2019-09-07}}

Muhammad was expected to face Lyman Good on April 18, 2020, at UFC 249.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsday.com/sports/mixed-martial-arts/ufc-239-lyman-good-belal-muhammad-1.41729566|title=UFC 249: Lyman Good vs. Belal Muhammad set for welterweight bout at Barclays Center|author= Mark La Monica|website=newsday.com|access-date=2020-02-11|date=2020-02-12}} However on April 4, Good pulled out due to COVID-19 infection.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/4/20/21228938/lyman-good-admits-positive-test-for-covid-19-says-hes-healthy-now-and-wants-to-fight|title=Lyman Good admits positive test for COVID-19, says he's healthy now and wants to fight|last=Marrocco|first=Steven|date=2020-04-20|website=MMA Fighting|language=en|access-date=2020-04-21}}{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/04/lyman-good-out-ufc-249-injury-belal-muhammad-opponent|title=Lyman Good out of UFC 249 bout with Belal Muhammad due to injury|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Danny Segura|date=2020-04-04|access-date=2020-04-04}} The bout was rebooked and eventually took place on June 20, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Volkov.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/05/lyman-good-returns-covid-19-infection-vs-belal-muhammad-june-20-ufc-event|title=Lyman Good to face Belal Muhammad in first UFC fight since coronavirus infection|author=Farah Hannoun|publisher=mmajunkie.com|date=May 22, 2020}} He won the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/06/20/ufc-on-espn-11-results-belal-muhammad-vs-lyman-good/|title=UFC on ESPN 11 Results: Belal Muhammad Bloodied, But Gets By Lyman Good|author=Jay Anderson|date=2020-06-21|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US|access-date=2020-06-21}}

Muhammad was expected to face Sean Brady on December 19, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 183.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/10/belal-muhammad-vs-sean-brady-at-ufc-december-19|title=Belal Muhammad vs. Sean Brady added to UFC's Dec. 19 event|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Farah Hannoun|date=2020-10-07|access-date=2020-10-07}} However in late October, Brady had a broken nose and had to pull out of their bout,{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/10/belal-muhammad-says-sean-brady-out-wants-mike-perry-ufc-december-19|title=Belal Muhammad says Sean Brady is out of their fight, wants Mike Perry as a replacement|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Farah Hannoun|date=2020-10-30|access-date=2020-10-30}} and he was replaced by Dhiego Lima.{{Cite web|author=Jamal Boussenaf|date=2020-11-16|title=Dhiego Lima vervangt uitgevallen Sean Brady tegen Belal Muhammad|url=https://mmadna.nl/dhiego-lima-vervangt-uitgevallen-sean-brady-tegen-belal-muhammad/|access-date=2020-11-17|website=MMA DNA|language=nl}} Subsequently, Muhammed was diagnosed with COVID-19 during the week leading up to the event and the bout was scrapped from the card{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/12/belal-muhammad-out-vs-dhiego-lima-ufc-fight-night-183-coronavirus-mma-booking|title=COVID-19 takes Belal Muhammad out of Dhiego Lima bout at UFC Fight Night 183|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Staff|date=2020-12-15|access-date=2020-12-15}} and the bout was rescheduled to February 13, 2021, at UFC 258{{Cite web|last=Heck|first=Mike|date=2021-01-08|title=Belal Muhammad vs. Dhiego Lima rebooked for UFC 258|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/1/8/22221041/belal-muhammad-vs-dhiego-lima-rebooked-for-ufc-258|access-date=2021-01-09|website=MMA Fighting|language=en}} Muhammad won the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite web|last=Vreeland|first=Daniel|date=2021-02-13|title=UFC 258 Results: Belal Muhammad Backs Up and Batters Dhiego Lima|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/02/13/ufc-258-results-belal-muhammad-backs-up-and-batters-dhiego-lima/|access-date=2021-02-14|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}

Muhammad faced Leon Edwards on March 13, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 187.{{cite web|author=Nolan King and Farah Hannoun|date=2021-02-18|title=Belal Muhammad steps up, agrees to Leon Edwards fight for UFC main event on March 13|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/02/ufc-news-belal-muhammad-vs-leon-edwards-march-13-replaces-khamzat-chimaev|access-date=2021-02-18|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com}} During the second round, Edwards poked Muhammad in the eye rendering him unable to continue. The fight was declared a no contest.{{Cite web|last=Doherty|first=Dan|date=2021-03-13|title=UFC Vegas 21 Results: Accidental Eye Poke Ends Main Event|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/03/13/ufc-vegas-21-results-leon-edwards-belal-muhammad/|access-date=2021-03-14|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}

Muhammad faced Demian Maia on June 12, 2021, at UFC 263.{{Cite web|title=Demian Maia to face Belal Muhammad at UFC 263|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/4/4/22366362/demian-maia-to-face-belal-muhammad-at-ufc-263/|author1=Damon Martin |author2=Mike Heck |access-date=2021-04-04|website=MMA FIGHTING|date=April 4, 2021 |language=en-US}} Muhammad won the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite web|last=Vreeland|first=Daniel|date=2021-06-12|title=UFC 263 Results: Belal Muhammad Stuffs Demian Maia's Takedowns, Wins Decision|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/06/12/ufc-263-results-belal-muhammad-stuffs-demian-maias-takedowns-wins-decision/|access-date=2021-06-13|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}

Muhammad faced Stephen Thompson on December 18, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus.{{Cite web|date=2021-11-11|title=Stephen Thompson-Belal Muhammad welterweight battle set for UFC Fight Night 199|url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Stephen-ThompsonBelal-Muhammad-Welterweight-Battle-Set-for-UFC-Fight-Night-199-182930|access-date=2021-11-11|website=Sherdog|author=Jay Pettry|language=en-US}} He won the bout via unanimous decision.{{Cite web|last=Anderson|first=Jay|date=2021-12-18|title=UFC Vegas 45: Belal Muhammad Out-Grapples Stephen Thompson for Decision Win|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/12/18/ufc-vegas-45-stephen-thompson-vs-belal-muhammad/|access-date=2021-12-19|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}

Muhammad faced Vicente Luque in a rematch on April 16, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 34.{{Cite web|last=Martin|first=Damon|date=2022-01-25|title=Vicente Luque vs. Belal Muhammad 2 headlines UFC event on April 16|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/1/25/22901898/vicente-luque-vs-belal-muhammad-2-headlines-ufc-event-on-april-16|access-date=2022-01-25|website=MMA Fighting|language=en-US}} He won the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2022-04-17 |title=UFC Vegas 51: Belal Muhammad's Wrestling, Movement Key in Win Over Vicente Luque |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/04/17/ufc-vegas-51-vicente-luque-vs-belal-muhammad/ |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}

Muhammad faced Sean Brady on October 22, 2022, at UFC 280.{{Cite web |last=Bohn |first=Mike |date=2022-07-08 |title=Undefeated Sean Brady gets wish, meets Belal Muhammad in UFC's Abu Dhabi return Oct. 22 |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/07/ufc-news-sean-brady-faces-belal-muhammad-abu-dhabi-october-22 |access-date=2022-07-08 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}} He won the bout via TKO stoppage at the end of the second round.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2022-10-22 |title=UFC 280: Belal Muhammad Becomes First to Beat, Stop Sean Brady |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/10/22/ufc-280-belal-muhammad-vs-sean-brady/ |access-date=2022-10-23 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}} UFC Hall of Famer and former UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was one of his cornermen for this fight.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/10/ufc-280-belal-muhammad-says-khabib-nurmagomedov-will-corner-him-abu-dhabi|title=Belal Muhammad says Khabib Nurmagomedov will corner him at UFC 280|date=October 1, 2022|accessdate=October 14, 2022|work=MMAjunkie|author=Hannoun, Farah}} He received his second Performance of the Night bonus.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-280-abu-dhabi-bonuses-sean-omalley-petr-yan-islam-makhachev-belal-muhammad|title=UFC 280 bonuses: The Sean O'Malley-Petr Yan banger was a $50,000 no-brainer|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Staff|date=2022-10-22|access-date=2022-10-22}}

Muhammad faced Gilbert Burns on May 6, 2023, at UFC 288.{{Cite web |last=Bohn |first=Mike |date=2023-04-20 |title=UFC 288 adds Gilbert Burns vs. Belal Muhammad as short notice five-round co-headliner |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/04/ufc-288-gilbert-burns-vs-belal-muhammad-booked-co-main-event |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}} Muhammad won by unanimous decision.{{Cite web |last=Rush |first=Dylan |date=2023-05-07 |title=UFC 288: Belal Muhammad Earns Decision, Title Shot Against Injured Gilbert Burns |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2023/05/07/ufc-288-belal-muhammad-vs-gilbert-burns/ |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}

Muhammad faced Leon Edwards in a rematch, for the UFC Welterweight Championship on July 27, 2024, at UFC 304.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-16 |title=UFC 304 official with Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad headliner and more in Manchester |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/05/ufc-304-manchester-england-edwards-muhammad-heavyweight |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}} He won the fight and the title by unanimous decision.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/07/28/ufc-304-belal-muhammad-survives-late-surge-claims-gold-from-leon-edwards/|title=UFC 304: Belal Muhammad Survives Late Surge, Claims Gold from Leon Edwards|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Jay Anderson|date=2024-07-28|access-date=2024-07-28}}

Muhammad was scheduled to make his first UFC Welterweight Championship defense against undefeated contender Shavkat Rakhmonov on December 7, 2024, at UFC 310.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thescore.com/news/3097008|title=Muhammad-Rakhmonov, Pantoja-Asakura set for UFC 310|publisher=thescore.com|author=Nick Baldwin|date=2024-10-12|access-date=2024-10-12}} However, due to a bone infection in his foot, Muhammad was forced to withdraw, delaying his first title defense.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2024/10/31/24284436/belal-muhammad-out-of-ufc-310-main-event-vs-shavkat-rakhmonov|title=Belal Muhammad out of UFC 310 main event vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Mike Heck|date=2024-10-31|access-date=2024-10-31}} In February 2025, with Rakhmonov unable to compete due to an injury, Muhammad was scheduled to instead defend his title against Jack Della Maddalena on May 10, 2025, at UFC 315.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2025/02/ufc-315-fight-card-montreal-muhammad-della-maddalenna-shevchenko-fiorot|title=UFC 315 title fights revealed: Belal Muhammad, Valentina Shevchenko set to defend in Montreal|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King|date=2025-02-19|access-date=2025-02-19}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2025/2/20/24369184/shavkat-rakhmonov-releases-statement-after-losing-montreal-title-shot|title=Shavkat Rakhmonov releases statement after losing Montreal title shot|publisher=mmamania.com|author=Ryan Harkness|date=2025-02-20|access-date=2025-02-20}} He lost the fight and the title by unanimous decision.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2025/05/11/jack-della-maddalena-and-muhammad-put-on-classic-jdm-wins-title-by-dec/|title=Jack Della Maddalena And Muhammad Put On Classic, JDM Wins Title By Dec|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Eddie Law|date=2025-05-11|access-date=2025-05-11}} This fight earned him another Fight of the Night award.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2025/5/11/24427634/official-bonus-winners-ufc315-results-belal-jack-della-espn-ppv-montreal-barriault-jasudavicius|title=Bonuses! 'Power Bar' banks $50K after sending opponent out on stretcher - UFC 315|publisher=mmamania.com|author=Dan Hiergeselldate=2025-05-11|access-date=2025-05-11}}

Muhammad was scheduled to compete against Tarek Suleiman in the no gi co-main event of ADXC 1 on October 20, 2023.{{cite web |last1=Blackett |first1=Todd |title=Belal Muhammad Set To Compete In ADXC 1 Co-Main Event |url=https://jitsmagazine.com/belal-muhammad-set-to-compete-in-adxc-1-co-main-event/ |website=Jitsmagazine |date=September 28, 2023 |access-date=28 September 2023}} He withdrew from the match on short notice and was replaced by Marvin Vettori.{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Phil |title=Marvin Vettori Replaces Belal Muhammad At ADXC 1 |url=https://jitsmagazine.com/marvin-vettori-replaces-belal-muhammad-at-adxc-1/ |website=Jitsmagazine |date=October 14, 2023 |access-date=14 October 2023}}

Muhammad is a Muslim,{{Cite web|title=Belal Muhammad On Fighting During Ramadan, Representing 'Real Muslims' - FloCombat|url=https://www.flocombat.com/articles/6206615-belal-muhammad-on-fighting-during-ramadan-representing-real-muslims|access-date=2021-05-07|website=www.flocombat.com|date=May 31, 2018 |language=en}}

and an outspoken supporter of Palestine.{{cite web |last1=Khaled |first1=Ali |title=Belal Muhammad proud to display Palestinian roots in bid to upset Demian Maia at UFC |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1871976/sport |website=Arab News |date=June 7, 2021 |publisher=Saudi Research and Media Group}} He has denounced the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis showing support for Palestinians while also condemning antisemitism.{{cite web |last1=Bissell |first1=Tim |title='Pro Palestine, without being antisemitic'; Badr Hari, Belal Muhammad speak out about ethnic cleansing in Palestine |url=https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2021/5/19/22443547/pro-palestine-without-being-antisemitic-badr-hari-belal-muhammad-speak-ethnic-cleansing-palestine |website=Bloody Elbow |date=May 19, 2021 |publisher=SB Nation}}

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.{{Cite web |date=2020-06-02 |title=UFC's Belal Muhammad says dad's store was 'looted and destroyed' during George Floyd protests |url=https://bloodyelbow.com/2020/06/02/ufc-belal-muhammad-dads-store-looted-destroyed-george-floyd-protests-mma-news/ |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=bloodyelbow.com |language=en-US}}

He threw the ceremonial first pitch for the Chicago Cubs on July 28, 2021.{{cite web |last1=Calhoun |first1=Curtis |title=Belal Muhammad threw out the Cubs first pitch in his Crocs (Video) |url=https://fansided.com/2021/07/27/belal-muhammad-threw-cubs-first-pitch-crocs-video/ |website=Fansided |date=October 18, 2023 |publisher=Minute Media}}

He represents Palestine.{{Cite web|url=https://www.palestinechronicle.com/for-palestine-belal-muhammad-becomes-first-palestinian-to-be-undisputed-ufc-champion/|title='For Palestine' – Belal Muhammad Becomes First Palestinian to be Undisputed UFC Champion|author=Sammy Baroud|publisher=palestinechronicle.com|date=2024-07-28|access-date=2024-07-28}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2024/Jul/28/for-my-people-in-palestine-fighting-the-real-fight-says-belal-muhammad-first-palestinian-to-win-ufc-title|title=For my people in Palestine... fighting the real fight: Belal Muhammad, first Palestinian to win UFC title|author=Online Desk|publisher=newindianexpress.com|date=2024-07-28|access-date=2024-07-28}}{{Cite web|url=https://thecurrent.pk/gaza-wins-belal-muhammad-becomes-first-palestinian-fighter-to-win-ufc-title/|title=Gaza wins: Belal Muhammad becomes first Palestinian fighter to win UFC title|author=News Desk|publisher=thecurrent.pk|date=2024-07-28|access-date=2024-07-28}}

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
• UFC Welterweight Championship (One time)
• First UFC champion of Palestinian descent
• Performance of the Night (Two times) {{small|vs. Takashi Sato and Sean Brady}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/9/7/20854693/khabib-nurmagemodov-leads-quartet-of-ufc-242-performance-bonuses|title=Khabib Nurmagemodov leads quartet of UFC 242 performance bonuses|last=Lee|first=Alexander K.|date=2019-09-07|website=MMA Fighting|access-date=2019-09-07}}
• Fight of the Night (Two times) {{small|vs. Alan Jouban and Jack Della Maddalena }}
• Most unanimous decision wins in UFC Welterweight division history (11)
• Tied (Rafael dos Anjos, Merab Dvalishvili & Brad Tavares) for most unanimous decision wins in UFC history (11)
• Tied (Georges St-Pierre) for second most decision wins in UFC Welterweight division history (12){{cite web|url=http://statleaders.ufc.com/?fighter_status=0&weight_class=WW|title=UFC Stats - Welterweight Division|publisher=ufc.com|date=2024-07-27|author=UFC}}
• Tied (Diego Sanchez, Georges St-Pierre, Rafael dos Anjos, Andrei Arlovski) for third most decision wins in UFC history (12){{cite web|url=http://statleaders.ufc.com/?fighter_status=0|title=UFC Stats - All Fighters|publisher=ufc.com|date=2024-07-27|author=UFC}}
• Seventh highest decision wins-per-win percentage in UFC history (80.0%)
• Fourth highest takedown defense percentage in UFC Welterweight division history (89.4%)
• Fifth most significant strikes landed in UFC Welterweight division history (1241)
• Sixth most total strikes landed in UFC Welterweight division history (1965)
• UFC.com Awards
• 2024: Ranked #10 Fighter of the Year{{Cite web |date=2024-12-20 |title=The Fighters {{!}} 2024 UFC.com Awards {{!}} UFC |url=https://www.ufc.com/news/the-fighters-2024-ufccom-awards |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=www.ufc.com |language=en}}

• Titan Fighting Championship
• Titan FC Welterweight Championship (One time)
• MMAjunkie.com
• 2019 January Fight of the Month vs. Geoff Neal{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2019/02/fight-of-the-month-january-2019-geoff-neal-belal-muhammad-ufc-espn-plus-1|title=MMAjunkie's 'Fight of the Month' for January: A bloody barnburner|date=February 1, 2019|publisher=mmajunkie.com}}

{{MMArecordbox

|draws=

|nc=1

|ko-wins=5

|sub-wins=1

|dec-wins=18

|ko-losses=1

|sub-losses=0

|dec-losses=3

}}

{{MMA record start}}

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|24–4 (1)

|Jack Della Maddalena

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC 315

|{{dts|2025|May|10}}

|align=center|5

|align=center|5:00

|Montreal, Quebec, Canada

|{{small|Lost the UFC Welterweight Championship. Fight of the Night.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|24–3 (1)

|Leon Edwards

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC 304

|{{dts|2024|July|27}}

|align=center|5

|align=center|5:00

|Manchester, England

|{{small|Won the UFC Welterweight Championship.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|23–3 (1)

|Gilbert Burns

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC 288

|{{dts|2023|May|6|format=mdy}}

|align=center|5

|align=center|5:00

|Newark, New Jersey, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|{{nowrap|22–3 (1)}}

|Sean Brady

|TKO (punches)

|UFC 280

|{{dts|2022|October|22}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|4:47

|Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

|{{small|Performance of the Night.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|21–3 (1)

|Vicente Luque

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. Muhammad 2

|{{dts|2022|April|16}}

|align=center|5

|align=center|5:00

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|20–3 (1)

|Stephen Thompson

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus

|{{dts|2021|December|18}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|19–3 (1)

|Demian Maia

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC 263

|{{dts|2021|June|12}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Glendale, Arizona, United States

|

|-

|{{nocontest}}NC

|align=center|18–3 (1)

|Leon Edwards

|NC (accidental eye poke)

|UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad

|{{dts|2021|March|13}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|0:18

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|{{small|Accidental eye poke rendered Muhammad unable to continue.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|18–3

|Dhiego Lima

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC 258

|{{dts|2021|February|13}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|17–3

|Lyman Good

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Volkov

|{{dts|2020|June|20}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|16–3

|Takashi Sato

|Submission (rear-naked choke)

|UFC 242

|{{dts|2019|September|7}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|1:55

|Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

|{{small|Performance of the Night.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|15–3

|Curtis Millender

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC 236

|{{dts|2019|April|13}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Atlanta, Georgia, United States

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|14–3

|Geoff Neal

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw

|{{dts|2019|January|19}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Brooklyn, New York, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|14–2

|Chance Rencountre

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC Fight Night: Rivera vs. Moraes

|{{dts|2018|June|1}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Utica, New York, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|13–2

|Tim Means

|Decision (split)

|UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura

|{{dts|2017|November|19}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Sydney, Australia

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|12–2

|Jordan Mein

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC 213

|{{dts|2017|July|8}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|11–2

|Randy Brown

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC 208

|{{dts|2017|February|11}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Brooklyn, New York, United States

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|10–2

|Vicente Luque

|KO (punches)

|UFC 205

|{{dts|2016|November|12}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|1:19

|New York City, New York, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 10–1

|Augusto Montaño

|TKO (punches)

|UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Johnson

|{{dts|2016|September|17}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|4:19

|Hidalgo, Texas, United States

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center| 9–1

|Alan Jouban

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Alvarez

|{{dts|2016|July|7}}

|align=center| 3

|align=center| 5:00

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|{{small|Fight of the Night.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 9–0

|Steve Carl

|TKO (punches)

|Titan FC 38

|{{dts|2016|April|30}}

|align=center| 4

|align=center| 4:07

|Miami, Florida, United States

|{{small|Won the inaugural Titan FC Welterweight Championship.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 8–0

|Zane Kamaka

| Decision (unanimous)

|Titan FC 35

|{{dts|2015|September|19}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Ridgefield, Washington, United States

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 7–0

|Keith Johnson

| Decision (unanimous)

|Titan FC 33

|{{dts|2015|March|20}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Mobile, Alabama, United States

|{{small|Catchweight (174 lb) bout; Johnson missed weight.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 6–0

|Chris Curtis

|Decision (unanimous)

|Hoosier Fight Club 21

|{{dts|2014|September|13}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Valparaiso, Indiana, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 5–0

|A.J. Matthews

|Decision (unanimous)

|Bellator 112

|{{dts|2014|March|14}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Hammond, Indiana, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 4–0

|Garrett Gross

|Decision (unanimous)

|Hoosier Fight Club 18

|{{dts|2013|November|9}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Valparaiso, Indiana, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 3–0

|Jimmy Fritz

|TKO (punches)

|Hoosier Fight Club 15

|{{dts|2013|April|6}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|2:19

|Valparaiso, Indiana, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 2–0

|Quinton McCottrell

|Decision (unanimous)

|Bellator 84

|{{dts|2012|December|14}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Hammond, Indiana, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 1–0

|Justin Brock

|TKO (punches)

|Hoosier Fight Club 12

|{{dts|2012|August|18}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|2:17

|Valparaiso, Indiana, United States

|{{small|Welterweight debut.}}

|-

{{end}}

{{Cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Belal-Muhammad-108315|title=Belal|last=Sherdog.com|website=Sherdog|access-date=2019-11-17}}

• List of current UFC fighters
• List of male mixed martial artists

{{reflist}}

• {{UFC|belal-muhammad}}
• {{Sherdog|108315}}

{{S-start}}

{{s-ach}}

{{S-bef|before=Leon Edwards}}

{{S-ttl|title=14th UFC Welterweight Champion |years=July 27, 2024 – May 10, 2025}}

{{s-aft|after=Jack Della Maddalena}}

{{s-end}}

{{UFC Welterweight Championship}}

{{UFC Men's pound-for-pound Rankings}}

{{UFC Welterweight Rankings}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Muhammad, Belal}}

Category:1988 births

M

Category:Welterweight mixed martial artists

Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing wrestling

Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Category:Living people

Category:Mixed martial artists from Illinois

Category:Martial artists from Chicago

Category:University of Illinois College of Law alumni

Category:American people of Palestinian descent

Category:American male sport wrestlers

Category:Amateur wrestlers

Category:American practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Category:Muslims from Illinois

Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters

Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship champions