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), where he is a former UFC Welterweight Champion. As of June 9, 2026, he is #7 in the Meta UFC welterweight rankings. A professional since 2012, he has also competed for Bellator and Titan FC.
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Background
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 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 and graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Mixed martial arts career
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.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
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 bonuses 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.
Professional grappling career
Muhammad was scheduled to compete against Tarek Suleiman in the no gi co-main event of ADXC 1 on October 20, 2023. He withdrew from the match on short notice and was replaced by Marvin Vettori.
Freestyle wrestling career
Muhammad competed at RAF 04 on December 20, 2025, losing to David Carr.
He defeated Ben Askren 6-3 in the co-main event of RAF 11 on July 18, 2026. This fight earned him a Match of the Night award.
Muhammad is scheduled to challenge for the RAF Crossover Cruiserweight Championship against champion Colby Covington in the main event on September 19, 2026 at RAF 13.
Personal life
Muhammad is a Muslim,
and an outspoken supporter of Palestine. He has denounced the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis, as well as the Gaza genocide. He often carries the Palestinian flag during weigh-ins.
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.
He threw the ceremonial first pitch for the Chicago Cubs on July 28, 2021.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed Martial Arts
Ultimate Fighting Championship
UFC Welterweight Championship (One time)
First UFC champion of Palestinian descent
Performance of the Night (Two times) vs. Takashi Sato and Sean Brady
Fight of the Night (Two times) vs. Alan Jouban and Jack Della Maddalena
Tied (Kamaru Usman) for most unanimous decision wins in UFC Welterweight division history (11)
Tied (Rafael dos Anjos, Brad Tavares & Kamaru Usman) for second most unanimous decision wins in UFC history (11)
Tied (Georges St-Pierre) for second most decision wins in UFC Welterweight division history (12)
Tied (Diego Sanchez, Georges St-Pierre, Rafael dos Anjos, Andrei Arlovski) for third most decision wins in UFC history (12)
Second highest takedown defense percentage in UFC Welterweight division history (90.6%)
Second most significant strikes landed in UFC Welterweight division history (1515) (behind Neil Magny)
Fourth most total strikes landed in UFC Welterweight division history (2303)
Second most total fight time in UFC Welterweight division history (5:47:38) (behind Neil Magny)
UFC.com Awards
2024: Ranked #10 Fighter of the Year
Freestyle wrestling
Real American Freestyle
Match of the Night (One time) vs. Ben Askren