Belal Muhammad
<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>
Belal Muhammad | |
---|---|
Born | Belal Muhammad July 9, 1988 Chicago, Illinois, US |
Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
Weight | 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st) |
Division | Welterweight |
Reach | 72 in[1] |
Fighting out of | Chicago, Illinois, US |
Team | Roufusport (2013–present)[2] Chicago Fight Team (2010–present)[3] Valle Flow Striking |
Rank | Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Daniel Wanderley[4] |
Years active | 2012–present |
Mixed martial arts record | |
Total | 26 |
Wins | 22 |
By knockout | 5 |
By submission | 1 |
By decision | 16 |
Losses | 3 |
By knockout | 1 |
By decision | 2 |
No contests | 1 |
Other information | |
University | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign |
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog |
Belal Muhammad (born July 9, 1988) is an American mixed martial artist who is currently competing in the UFC welterweight division. A professional since 2012, he has also competed for Bellator and Titan FC. As of October 24, 2022, he is #4 in the UFC welterweight rankings.[5]
Contents
Background
Muhammad was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, to Palestinian parents.[6] He has four siblings: an older brother, older sister and two younger brothers.[7][8] He wrestled at Bogan High School and attended, but did not complete a degree, at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.[9]
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.[10]
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.[11] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[12] Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night honors for their performances.[13]
Muhammad next faced Augusto Montaño on September 17, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 94.[14] He won the fight via TKO in the third round.[15]
Muhammad was expected to face Lyman Good on November 12, 2016 at UFC 205.[16] 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.[17] He was replaced by Vicente Luque.[18] Muhammad lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[19]
Muhammad was a short notice replacement and stepped in to face Randy Brown on February 11, 2017 at UFC 208.[20] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[21]
Muhammad faced Jordan Mein on July 8, 2017 at UFC 213.[22] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[23]
Muhammad was expected to face Jesse Taylor on November 19, 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura.[24] 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.[25] He was replaced by Tim Means.[26] Muhammad won the fight via split decision.[27]
Muhammad was expected to face Niko Price on June 1, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 131.[28] However, Price was removed from the bout on May 22 for undisclosed reasons and replaced by promotional newcomer Chance Rencountre.[29] Muhammad won the fight via unanimous decision.[30]
Muhammad was scheduled to meet Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos on September 22, 2018 at UFC 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 faced Geoff Neal on January 19, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 143.[33] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[34]
Muhammad faced Curtis Millender on April 13, 2019 at UFC 236.[35] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[36]
Muhammad faced Takashi Sato on September 7, 2019 at UFC 242.[37] He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round.[38] This win earned Muhammad his first Performance of the Night award.[39]
Muhammad was expected to face Lyman Good on April 18, 2020 at UFC 249.[40] However on April 4, Good pulled out due to COVID-19 infection.[41][42] The bout was rebooked and eventually took place on June 20, 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Volkov.[43] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[44]
Muhammad was expected to face Sean Brady on December 19, 2020 at UFC 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 by Dhiego Lima.[47] Subsequently, Muhammed was diagnosed with COVID-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 at UFC 258[49] Muhammad won the fight via unanimous decision.[50]
Muhammad faced Leon Edwards on March 13, 2021 at UFC 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 faced Demian Maia on June 12, 2021 at UFC 263.[53] Muhammad won the fight via unanimous decision.[54]
Muhammad faced Stephen Thompson on December 18, 2021 at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus.[55] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[56]
Muhammad faced Vicente Luque in a rematch on April 16, 2022 at UFC on ESPN 34.[57] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[58]
Muhammad faced Sean Brady on October 22, 2022 at UFC 280.[59] He won the bout via TKO stoppage at the end of the second round.[60] UFC Hall of Famer and former UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was one of his cornermen for this fight.[61] He received his second Performance of the Night bonus.[62]
Personal life
Muhammad is an outspoken supporter of Palestine. He displays the Palestinian flag during his octagon entrance and post-fight results.[63] He has denounced the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, showing support for Palestinians while also condemning any anti-Semitic responses from protesters.[64]
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.[65]
He threw the ceremonial first pitch for the Chicago Cubs on July 28, 2021.[66]
Championships and accomplishments
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (Two times) vs. Takashi Sato and Sean Brady[68][62]
- Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Alan Jouban[13]
- Fifth highest decision wins per win percentage (10 decision wins / 13 wins - 76.92%)
- Tied for sixth most unanimous decision wins in UFC history (9)
- Titan Fighting Championship
- Titan FC Welterweight Championship (One time)
- MMAjunkie.com
- 2019 January Fight of the Month vs. Geoff Neal[69]
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown | ||
26 matches | 22 wins | 3 losses |
By knockout | 5 | 1 |
By submission | 1 | 0 |
By decision | 16 | 2 |
No contests | 1 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 Titan 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. |
See also
References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 62.0 62.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ UFC’s Belal Muhammad says dad’s store was ‘looted and destroyed’ during George Floyd protests Mookie Alexander, MMA Fighting (June 2, 2020)
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
External links
- Belal Muhammad on UFC.com
- Professional MMA record for Belal Muhammad from SherdogLua error in Module:WikidataCheck at line 28: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
- Articles with short description
- Use mdy dates from August 2021
- Articles with invalid date parameter in template
- 1988 births
- American male mixed martial artists
- Welterweight mixed martial artists
- Mixed martial artists utilizing wrestling
- Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu
- Living people
- Mixed martial artists from Illinois
- Sportspeople from Chicago
- University of Illinois College of Law alumni
- American people of Palestinian descent
- American male sport wrestlers
- Amateur wrestlers
- American practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu
- American Muslims
- Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters