Belal “Remember the Name”Muhammad

Belal Muhammad was born on July 9, 1988, to Palestinian parents in Chicago, Illinois. He was raised along with his four siblings – an older brother, older sister, and two younger brothers. His formative years were infused with discipline and competitiveness, shaping him into an outstanding athlete and leading him into the world of mixed martial arts.

During his high school years at Bogan High School, Muhammad found his interest in wrestling. This experience would later serve him in his journey to becoming a mixed martial artist. He later attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, although he did not complete his degree, prioritizing his growing love for martial arts.

By 2012, Muhammad’s passion and discipline for martial arts culminated with him becoming a professional competitor. Over the years, he has had the privilege of competing for reputable organizations such as Bellator and Titan FC. However, his notable journey with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) started in 2016 when he was signed after a stunning TKO victory over Steve Carl. This victory allowed him to become the Titan Fighting Championships Welterweight Champion, further amplifying his growing popularity in the field.

Since his UFC debut, Muhammad has achieved significant milestones and faced a handful of setbacks. His first match was against Alan Jouban on July 7, 2016, as a short-notice replacement match. Despite losing, both Muhammad and Jouban’s performances marked the evening and were recognized as Fight of the Night.

His subsequent matches were a mix of stand-out victories and tough losses. One after another, Muhammad faced great competitors like Augusto Montaño, Lyman Good, Vicente Luque, and Randy Brown, among numerous others. Several of these matches ended in his favor, awarding him the fight by unanimous decision, while others put him on the losing end.

Every defeat served as a stepping stone for Muhammad. His willingness to learn from his losses and improve his techniques was evident in his consequent matches. For instance, his victory over Curtis Millender in April 2019 by unanimous decision and his successful rear naked choke submission against Takashi Sato in September of the same year won him his first Performance of the Night award, a cherished accolade in UFC.

The year 2020 brought more challenges for Muhammad as scheduled matches were affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His bout with Lyman Good had to be rescheduled after Good tested positive for COVID-19. Later in the year, he was expected to face Sean Brady, but the match was controversially scrapped after Muhammad himself tested positive for COVID-19. Despite these setbacks, Muhammad ended the year on a high note, winning a bout against Dhiego Lima.

In the following years, Muhammad met a range of competitors in the octagon. Some of his notable victories during this period came against Leon Edwards in 2021 and Vicente Luque in 2022. By October 24, 2023, his consistent hard work and passion for the sport saw him climb to the #2 spot in the UFC Welterweight division.

Apart from his success as a professional mixed martial arts athlete, Muhammad is known for his strong support of Palestine. An outspoken supporter, he regularly displays the Palestinian flag during his octagon entrance and post-fight results. During the Israeli attacks on Gaza, he openly showed his support for the Palestinians while also condemning anti-Semitism.

Off the octagon, Muhammad faced personal challenges when businesses owned by his father and cousins were looted and destroyed during the George Floyd unrest in 2020. Despite this, he remained resilient, embodying the same spirit he displays in his matches. On July 28, 2021, he was invited to throw the ceremonial first pitch for the Chicago Cubs, a testament to his local acclaim and influence.

Today, Belal Muhammad is not just known for his skills and prowess in the octagon but also for his resilient character, unwavering support for Palestine, and his devout Muslim faith. His journey in the world of mixed martial arts continues to inspire, entertain, and captivate audiences around the globe.