| Belal Muhammad | |
|---|---|
 Muhammad in 2023 | |
| Born | (1988-07-09)July 9, 1988 (age 37) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Nickname | Remember the Name |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st) |
| Division | Welterweight |
| Reach | 72 in (183 cm)[1] |
| Style | Wrestling |
| Fighting out of | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Team | Roufusport (2013–present)[2] Chicago Fight Team (2010–present)[3] Valle Flow Striking |
| Rank | Brown belt inBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu[1] |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 30 |
| Wins | 24 |
| By knockout | 5 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 18 |
| Losses | 5 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By decision | 4 |
| No contests | 1 |
| Amateur MMA record | |
| Total | 2 |
| Wins | 2 |
| By decision | 2 |
| Losses | 0 |
| Other information | |
| University | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign |
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | |
Belal Muhammad (born July 9, 1988) is an American professionalmixed martial artist who currently competes in theWelterweight division of theUltimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is a formerUFC Welterweight Champion. As of November 25, 2025, he is #5 in theUFC welterweight rankings and #15 in theUFC men's pound-for-pound rankings.[4] A professional since 2012, he has also competed forBellator andTitan FC.
Muhammad was born and raised inChicago, Illinois, toPalestinian parents.[5] He has four siblings: an older brother, older sister and two younger brothers.[6][7] He wrestled atBogan High School where he had future PFL championLouis 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 theUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.[9]
Shortly after a TKO victory overSteve Carl to become theTitan Fighting Championships Welterweight Champion, and push his record to 9–0, Muhammad signed with theUFC in 2016.[10]
On July 7, 2016, atUFC Fight Night 90, Muhammad made his UFC debut, as a short-notice replacement, againstAlan Jouban.[11] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[12] Both participants were awardedFight of the Night bonuses for their performances.[13]
Muhammad next facedAugusto Montaño on September 17, 2016, atUFC Fight Night 94.[14] He won the fight via TKO in the third round.[15]
Muhammad was expected to faceLyman Good on November 12, 2016, atUFC 205.[16] However, on October 24, Good was pulled from the card after being notified byUSADA of a potential anti-doping violation stemming from an out-of-competition drug test sample collected ten days earlier.[17] He was replaced byVicente Luque.[18] Muhammad lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[19]
Muhammad was a short notice replacement and stepped in to faceRandy Brown on February 11, 2017, atUFC 208.[20] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[21]
Muhammad facedJordan Mein on July 8, 2017, atUFC 213.[22] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[23]
Muhammad was expected to faceJesse Taylor on November 19, 2017, atUFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura.[24] However, on September 13, it was announced that Taylor was pulled from the card after being notified byUSADA of a potential doping violation stemming from an out-of-competition drug test conducted on August 22.[25] He was replaced byTim Means.[26] Muhammad won the fight via split decision.[27]
Muhammad was expected to faceNiko Price on June 1, 2018, atUFC Fight Night 131.[28] However, Price was removed from the bout on May 22 for undisclosed reasons and replaced by promotional newcomerChance Rencountre.[29] Muhammad won the fight via unanimous decision.[30]
Muhammad was scheduled to meetElizeu Zaleski dos Santos on September 22, 2018, atUFC 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 facedGeoff Neal on January 19, 2019, atUFC Fight Night 143.[33] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[34]
Muhammad facedCurtis Millender on April 13, 2019, atUFC 236.[35] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[36]
Muhammad facedTakashi Sato on September 7, 2019, atUFC 242.[37] He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round.[38] This win earned Muhammad his firstPerformance of the Night award.[39]
Muhammad was expected to faceLyman Good on April 18, 2020, atUFC 249.[40] However on April 4, Good pulled out due toCOVID-19 infection.[41][42] The bout was rebooked and eventually took place on June 20, 2020, atUFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Volkov.[43] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[44]
Muhammad was expected to faceSean Brady on December 19, 2020, atUFC 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 byDhiego Lima.[47] Subsequently, Muhammed was diagnosed withCOVID-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, atUFC 258[49] Muhammad won the fight via unanimous decision.[50]
Muhammad facedLeon Edwards on March 13, 2021, atUFC 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 facedDemian Maia on June 12, 2021, atUFC 263.[53] Muhammad won the fight via unanimous decision.[54]
Muhammad facedStephen Thompson on December 18, 2021, atUFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus.[55] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[56]
Muhammad facedVicente Luque in a rematch on April 16, 2022, atUFC on ESPN 34.[57] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[58]
Muhammad facedSean Brady on October 22, 2022, atUFC 280.[59] He won the bout via TKO stoppage at the end of the second round.[60]UFC Hall of Famer and formerUFC Lightweight ChampionKhabib Nurmagomedov was one of his cornermen for this fight.[61] He received his secondPerformance of the Night bonus.[62]
Muhammad facedGilbert Burns on May 6, 2023, atUFC 288.[63] Muhammad won by unanimous decision.[64]
Muhammad facedLeon Edwards in a rematch, for theUFC Welterweight Championship on July 27, 2024, atUFC 304.[65] He won the fight and the title by unanimous decision.[66]
Muhammad was scheduled to make his firstUFC Welterweight Championship defense against undefeated contenderShavkat Rakhmonov on December 7, 2024, atUFC 310.[67] However, due to a bone infection in his foot, Muhammad was forced to withdraw, delaying his first title defense.[68] In February 2025, with Rakhmonov unable to compete due to an injury, Muhammad was scheduled to instead defend his title againstJack Della Maddalena on May 10, 2025, atUFC 315.[69][70] He lost the fight and the title by unanimous decision.[71] This fight earned him anotherFight of the Night award.[72]
Muhammad facedIan Machado Garry on November 22, 2025, atUFC Fight Night 265.[73] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[74]
Muhammad was scheduled to compete against Tarek Suleiman in the no gi co-main event of ADXC 1 on October 20, 2023.[75] He withdrew from the match on short notice and was replaced byMarvin Vettori.[76]
Muhammad is aMuslim,[77]and an outspoken supporter ofPalestine.[78] He has denounced the2021 Israel–Palestine crisis showing support for Palestinians while also condemningantisemitism.[79]
On June 1, 2020, businesses owned by Muhammad's father and cousins in Chicago were looted and destroyed as a result of theGeorge Floyd unrest.[80]
He threw the ceremonial first pitch for theChicago Cubs on July 28, 2021.[81]
He represents Palestine.[82][83][84]
| 30 matches | 24 wins | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 5 | 1 |
| By submission | 1 | 0 |
| By decision | 18 | 4 |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 24–5 (1) | Ian Machado Garry | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Tsarukyan vs. Hooker | November 22, 2025 | 3 | 5:00 | Al Rayyan, Qatar | |
| Loss | 24–4 (1) | Jack Della Maddalena | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 315 | May 10, 2025 | 5 | 5:00 | Montreal,Quebec, Canada | Lost theUFC Welterweight Championship. Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 24–3 (1) | Leon Edwards | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 304 | July 27, 2024 | 5 | 5:00 | Manchester, England | Won theUFC Welterweight Championship. |
| 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 inauguralTitan 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. |
| No. | Event | Fight | Date | Venue | City | PPV buys |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | UFC 304 | Edwards vs.Muhammad 2 | July 27, 2024 | Co-op Live | Manchester, England, United Kingdom | Not Disclosed[91] |
| 2. | UFC 315 | Muhammad vs.Della Maddalena | May 10, 2025 | Bell Centre | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | Not Disclosed[92] |
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | 14thUFC Welterweight Champion July 27, 2024 – May 10, 2025 | Succeeded by |
Updated to 25 November 2025 |
Updated to 25 November 2025 |
