Belal Muhammad

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.

Muhammad was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, to Palestinian parents.

He has four siblings: an older brother, older sister and two younger brothers.

He wrestled at Bogan High School and attended, but did not complete a degree, at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

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.

On July 7, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 90, Muhammad made his UFC debut, as a short-notice replacement, against Alan Jouban.

He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night honors for their performances.

Muhammad next faced Augusto Montaño on September 17, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 94.

He won the fight via TKO in the third round.

Muhammad was expected to face Lyman Good on November 12, 2016, at UFC 205.

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.

He was replaced by Vicente Luque.

Muhammad lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Muhammad was a short notice replacement and stepped in to face Randy Brown on February 11, 2017, at UFC 208.

He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Muhammad faced Jordan Mein on July 8, 2017, at UFC 213.

He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Muhammad was expected to face Jesse Taylor on November 19, 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura.

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.

He was replaced by Tim Means.

Muhammad won the fight via split decision.

Muhammad was expected to face Niko Price on June 1, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 131.

However, Price was removed from the bout on May 22 for undisclosed reasons and replaced by promotional newcomer Chance Rencountre.

Muhammad won the fight via unanimous decision.

Muhammad was scheduled to meet Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos on September 22, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 137.

However, on September 14, 2018, Muhammad was pulled from the bout and he was replaced by newcomer Luigi Vendramini.

Muhammad faced Geoff Neal on January 19, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 143.

He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Muhammad faced Curtis Millender on April 13, 2019, at UFC 236.

He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Muhammad faced Takashi Sato on September 7, 2019, at UFC 242.

He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round.

This win earned Muhammad his first Performance of the Night award.

Muhammad was expected to face Lyman Good on April 18, 2020, at UFC 249.

However on April 4, Good pulled out due to COVID-19 infection.

The bout was rebooked and eventually took place on June 20, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Volkov.

He won the fight via unanimous decision.