Few MMA fighters have climbed the welterweight ladder as steadily as Belal Muhammad. Born in Chicago to Palestinian parents, he carried his heritage into the Octagon and, in July 2024, captured the UFC welterweight title. This profile covers his ethnicity, faith, record, and the reported friendship with Khabib Nurmagomedov — combining verified stats with the context you need.
Record: 24-6-0 · Height: 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) · Weight: 170 lb (77 kg) · Reach: 72 in (183 cm) · Stance: Orthodox
Quick snapshot
- Palestinian-American ethnicity (ESPN)
- Muslim faith (Yaqeen Institute)
- Record: 24 wins, 6 losses (Wikipedia)
- Ranked #7 in UFC welterweight (as of June 2026) (Wikipedia)
- Exact date and opponent for next fight
- Timeline for a potential rematch or title shot
- Full extent of relationship with Khabib Nurmagomedov
- No official next fight announced
- Likely contender fights to climb back to title contention
Here are the key facts about Belal Muhammad:
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Record | 24-6-0 |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg) |
| Reach | 72 in (183 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Date of Birth | July 9, 1988 |
| Nickname | Remember the Name |
What is Belal Muhammad’s ethnicity?
Belal Muhammad is of Palestinian descent and proudly identifies as a Palestinian-American. His heritage is a central part of his public identity — he often enters the Octagon draped in the Palestinian flag. According to ESPN’s fighter profile, his birthplace is listed as Palestine, though he was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois.
Muhammad has said he was told the Palestinian flag would ruin his career.
Belal Muhammad, via Yaqeen Institute interview
Where is Belal Muhammad from?
Muhammad was born on July 9, 1988, in Chicago, Illinois (ESPN). He grew up in the city’s South Side and started his MMA career in 2012, fighting out of the local Chicago scene before moving to the UFC.
Instead, the flag became his signature — a symbol of pride that resonated with fans worldwide. The Yaqeen Institute documented his conviction that faith and heritage could coexist with championship success.
The implication: Muhammad transformed a potential career obstacle into a defining element of his public image, embedding his Palestinian identity into his fighting career.
What is the religion of Belal Muhammad?
Belal Muhammad is a practicing Muslim. His faith is frequently discussed in interviews and features prominently in his public appearances. A Yaqeen Institute interview series frames his identity around “pain, prayer, and his Palestinian flag symbolism,” underscoring how his religion and heritage intertwine.
Is Belal Muhammad Muslim?
Yes. He has spoken openly about his Muslim faith in multiple media appearances, including a Fight Back podcast episode titled “Belal Muhammad on Faith, Palestine, and the UFC.” The episode’s existence confirms the public relevance of his religion in his career narrative.
Who has Belal Muhammad lost to?
Muhammad has six professional losses, with the most notable defeats coming against Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman. His overall loss breakdown, per Wikipedia, consists of one knockout and five decisions.
List of Belal Muhammad’s defeats
- Leon Edwards — decision (lost, then later defeated Edwards to win the title)
- Kamaru Usman — decision
- Jack Della Maddalena — unanimous decision (May 10, 2025, at UFC 315) according to ESPN
Notable losses
His defeat to Leon Edwards came before Muhammad later avenged it by winning the title in their rematch. The loss to Jack Della Maddalena ended his title reign.
Are Belal Muhammad and Khabib friends?
Belal Muhammad and Khabib Nurmagomedov are reportedly friends and have trained together. However, the public evidence for a close personal bond is limited. Muhammad has praised Khabib’s work ethic, and Khabib has commented positively on Muhammad’s fighting style, but no definitive joint statement or long-documented partnership has been widely published.
Khabib has commented positively on Muhammad’s fighting style.
Khabib Nurmagomedov (via public media)
How did Belal Muhammad and Khabib become friends?
Muhammad has trained at American Kickboxing Academy, where Khabib also spent time. According to Muhammad’s podcast appearances, the two connected over shared values and training discipline. The friendship is often cited by fans but remains sparsely documented in primary sources.
Despite frequent online claims, the publicly available evidence for a deep Khabib-Muhammad friendship is thin. Most reports rely on indirect mentions. Until a primary source — such as a joint interview or training footage — emerges, the relationship remains in the “unconfirmed but plausible” category.
The pattern: While both fighters share a background of faith and discipline, the actual depth of their bond is far from certain.
What is Belal Muhammad’s UFC ranking?
As of June 2026, Belal Muhammad is ranked #7 in the UFC welterweight division, according to Wikipedia. He was the UFC welterweight champion from July 2024 to May 2025, but lost the belt to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315.
Is Belal Muhammad a UFC champion?
Muhammad was the UFC welterweight champion after defeating Leon Edwards at UFC 304 on July 27, 2024 (ESPN). He became the first Arab mixed martial artist to win a UFC championship, though he later lost the title. He is not currently the champion.
Here are his physical specs:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg) |
| Reach | 72 in (183 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting style | Striker (ESPN) |
What this means: Muhammad’s title reign was short, and his current ranking of #7 reflects the immediate aftermath of losing the belt. The road back to the top is steep but not unprecedented.
What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Palestinian-American ethnicity
- Muslim faith
- Record: 24-6-0
- Former UFC welterweight champion
- Currently ranked #7 in welterweight
What’s unclear
- Exact next opponent and fight date
- Strength of Khabib friendship
- Timeline for title rematch
Belal Muhammad’s career trajectory shows a fighter who earned his title through consistency, not flash. His Palestinian identity and Muslim faith have made him a symbol for many, but the road back to the belt is uncertain. For the UFC welterweight division, the question is clear: can Muhammad reclaim the crown, or will a new contender emerge? The answer depends on his next booking, which remains unannounced.
Related reading: Oleksandr Usyk: Record, Next Fight, Religion & Toughest Opponent
youtube.com, open.spotify.com, tiktok.com, tokyotrending.com
Belal Muhammad’s close friendship with Dagestani legend Khabib Nurmagomedovs record and retirement has often been highlighted in interviews, with the two training partners sharing a similar fighting style and cultural background.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Belal Muhammad?
He was born July 9, 1988, making him 37 years old as of 2025.
What is Belal Muhammad’s reach and stance?
Reach: 72 inches (183 cm). Stance: Orthodox.
Who is Belal Muhammad’s head coach?
He trains at Valle Flow Striking in Chicago.
What is Belal Muhammad’s most notable win?
Defeating Leon Edwards by unanimous decision at UFC 304 on July 27, 2024, to win the UFC welterweight title.
What does Belal Muhammad’s nickname ‘Remember the Name’ mean?
It’s a statement of self-confidence and a promise to make his mark in the sport.
How many title fights has Belal Muhammad been in?
Two: one win (vs. Leon Edwards) and one loss (vs. Jack Della Maddalena).
What is Belal Muhammad’s fighting style?
ESPN classifies him as a striker, though his fight record shows a mix of five knockouts, one submission, and 18 decisions.
George Harry Howard Bennett is a staff writer for Public Journal UK, specializing in UK news, policy analysis, and public affairs coverage. He works under Editor-in-Chief Margaret Ellison, maintaining high standards of sourcing, verification, and fact-checking. Bennett reports on Westminster, government policy, and societal issues, providing balanced and accurate journalism with timely insight.