Belal Muhammad is a 37-year-old Palestinian-American mixed martial artist competing in the UFC welterweight division. With an overall record of 24 wins, 6 losses, and 1 no contest, Muhammad briefly held the UFC welterweight championship in 2024 before losing the belt in 2025. As of mid-2026, he is ranked #5 in the division and coming off a unanimous decision loss to Gabriel Bonfim at UFC Fight Night on June 7, 2026.
Known for his relentless pressure wrestling, exceptional cardio, and a grinding style that has frustrated many top contenders, Muhammad has carved out a reputation as one of the most durable fighters in the welterweight weight class. Outside the cage, he is a Muslim who holds a law degree from the University of Illinois and previously owned a cell phone store. His journey from a Chicago-based prospect to a former UFC champion is a story of steady improvement and resilience.
Who Is Belal Muhammad? – Biography and Background
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Record | 24-6-0 (1 NC) |
| Last Fight | Loss vs. Gabriel Bonfim (June 7, 2026) |
| Ranking | #5 Welterweight (UFC official) |
| Ethnicity | Palestinian-American |
Key Insights
- Muhammad won the UFC welterweight title by defeating Leon Edwards at UFC 304 in July 2024, but lost it back to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 in May 2025.
- He holds notable victories over Gilbert Burns, Sean Brady, Vicente Luque, and Stephen Thompson.
- His fighting style relies on constant forward pressure, superior wrestling, and exceptional five-round cardio.
- Muhammad’s Palestinian heritage is a central part of his identity, and he often speaks about representing Palestine in the UFC.
- He holds the second-highest takedown defense in UFC welterweight history at 90.6%.
- Muhammad has landed the most significant strikes in UFC welterweight history (1,515), according to official statistics.
Fighter Snapshot – Key Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Belal Muhammad |
| Nickname | “Remember the Name” |
| Birthdate | July 9, 1988 |
| Age | 37 (as of 2026) |
| Height | 5’11″ (180 cm) |
| Weight | 170 lbs (77 kg) |
| Reach | 72″ (183 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting out of | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Palestinian |
| Grappling Rank | Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| UFC Record | 13-5-0 (1 NC) |
| Overall Record | 24-6-0 (1 NC) |
| Current Ranking | #5 in UFC Welterweight |
Where is Belal Muhammad from? – Birthplace and Nationality
Belal Muhammad was born on July 9, 1988, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He is an American citizen and fights out of Chicago. Before his professional MMA career, he attended the University of Illinois, where he earned a law degree. Muhammad also owned a cell phone store before committing fully to fighting, as noted in his official UFC profile.
What is Belal Muhammad’s ethnicity? – Palestinian Heritage
Muhammad is of Palestinian descent. He identifies as Palestinian-American and has spoken openly about representing Palestine in the UFC. According to his CBS Sports profile, his heritage is a significant part of his public identity, and he frequently wears Palestinian colors during fight week.
What is Belal Muhammad’s fighting style? – Pressure Wrestling and Durability
Muhammad is an orthodox fighter known for a wrestling-heavy approach combined with exceptional cardio. He applies relentless forward pressure, aiming to control the pace and tire opponents. His 90.6% takedown defense, the second-best in UFC welterweight history, makes it difficult for opponents to take him down. Offensively, he averages a high volume of significant strikes, holding the division record for most landed (1,515), according to Wikipedia. His only submission win came early in his career; the vast majority of his victories (18) are by decision.
What Is Belal Muhammad’s Complete MMA Record?
Belal Muhammad’s Last Fight – Result and Performance
Muhammad last fought Gabriel Bonfim at UFC Fight Night on June 7, 2026. The bout ended in a loss via unanimous decision, with Bonfim controlling the fight from distance. Muhammad was unable to implement his usual grappling-heavy game plan, and the defeat dropped him to #5 in the official UFC welterweight rankings, as reported by ESPN. Before this, Muhammad had lost consecutive five-round unanimous decisions to Ian Machado Garry (Nov 22, 2025) and Jack Della Maddalena (May 10, 2025).
According to official UFC stats, Muhammad’s career finishes include 5 wins by knockout, 1 by submission, and 18 by decision. He has never been knocked out in his UFC career.
Belal Muhammad’s Current UFC Welterweight Ranking
As of June 2026, Belal Muhammad is ranked #5 in the UFC welterweight division, per the UFC Stats official database. His ranking has fallen from #2 following a string of losses in 2025. Despite this, he remains a highly experienced contender with wins over several top-10 fighters.
What Is Belal Muhammad’s Next Fight? – Recent Bout and Career Status
Is Belal Muhammad the UFC Champion? – Title Contender Status
No, Belal Muhammad is not the current UFC welterweight champion. He won the title by defeating Leon Edwards at UFC 304 on July 27, 2024, but lost it to Jack Della Maddalena via unanimous decision at UFC 315 on May 10, 2025. He has not fought for the title since that loss.
Belal Muhammad’s Path to a Title Shot
Following his loss to Gabriel Bonfim, Muhammad’s immediate path back to title contention is unclear. He may need to string together wins against other ranked welterweights to climb back into the top three. The division remains competitive, with champions and contenders like Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Machado Garry holding top positions. No official next fight has been announced as of late June 2026.
Fans can monitor fight announcements on official UFC channels and follow Muhammad’s personal Instagram account (@bullyb170) for training updates and potential bout confirmations.
What Is Belal Muhammad’s UFC Record? – Win-Loss Breakdown
Official Win-Loss-Draw Record
Belal Muhammad’s professional MMA record stands at 24-6-0 with 1 no contest. In the UFC, he is 13-5-0 (1 NC). The no contest came against Leon Edwards in March 2021 after an accidental eye poke ended the fight in the second round. All six losses have come by decision; he has never been finished in a professional fight.
Notable Victories and Losses
- Win vs. Leon Edwards (UFC 304, July 2024) – Won the UFC welterweight title by unanimous decision.
- Win vs. Gilbert Burns (UFC 288, May 2023) – Unanimous decision victory that solidified his top contender status.
- Win vs. Sean Brady (UFC 280, Oct 2022) – Unanimous decision.
- Win vs. Vicente Luque (UFC Fight Night, April 2022) – Unanimous decision.
- Win vs. Stephen Thompson (UFC Fight Night, Dec 2021) – Majority decision.
- Loss vs. Jack Della Maddalena (UFC 315, May 2025) – Lost the title by unanimous decision.
- Loss vs. Ian Machado Garry (Nov 2025) – Unanimous decision.
- Loss vs. Gabriel Bonfim (June 7, 2026) – Unanimous decision.
UFC rankings are updated weekly and can shift based on recent results. Muhammad’s #5 ranking is accurate as of late June 2026 but may change as other fighters compete.
Belal Muhammad Career Timeline – Key Milestones
- 1988 – Born July 9 in Chicago, Illinois.
- 2012 – Professional MMA debut (first fight).
- 2016 – Joined the UFC, debuting at UFC Fight Night 90.
- 2021 – Fought Leon Edwards to a no contest after an eye poke; first UFC main event.
- 2023 – Defeated Gilbert Burns by unanimous decision, becoming the top welterweight contender.
- 2024 – Won the UFC welterweight championship by defeating Leon Edwards at UFC 304.
- 2025 – Lost the title to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 (May). Followed by a loss to Ian Machado Garry (November).
- 2026 – Lost to Gabriel Bonfim at UFC Fight Night (June 7). Ranking fell to #5.
Certainty vs. Uncertainty – What We Know and What Remains Unclear
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Record: 24-6-0 (1 NC) – confirmed by UFC, Sherdog, and Tapology. | Next fight details – no opponent, date, or venue officially announced as of late June 2026. |
| Champion status: He is not the current champion; Jack Della Maddalena holds the belt. | Exact ranking movement – rankings are updated frequently and may change. |
| Ethnicity and nationality: Self-identified Palestinian-American, widely documented. | Future title shot path – depends on division developments and his next booking. |
| Physical stats: Height 5’11”, reach 72″, orthodox stance – verified by CBS Sports and UFC Stats. | Injury status – no information about his physical condition after the Bonfim loss. |
Understanding Belal Muhammad’s Position in the UFC Welterweight Division
Belal Muhammad has established himself as one of the most consistent welterweights of his era, with a style that frustrates opponents and controls the pace of fights. His wrestling-heavy approach and five-round cardio make him a difficult matchup even for elite strikers. However, his recent losing streak – three straight decisions in 2025–2026 – has pushed him down the rankings and reignited questions about whether his style can still succeed at the highest level against younger, more dynamic fighters.
Compared to other top contenders, Muhammad’s résumé includes wins over former champion Leon Edwards as well as perennial top-10 fighters like Gilbert Burns, Vicente Luque, and Stephen Thompson. But he lacks a successful title defense and has yet to beat a top contender after losing the belt. The division remains deep, with fighters like Shavkat Rakhmonov, Ian Machado Garry, and Gabriel Bonfim now ahead of him in the pecking order.
Sources and Quotes on Belal Muhammad
“I’m the best in the world, and I’m going to prove it.”
– Belal Muhammad on Instagram (paraphrased)
“Belal Muhammad is a top contender who uses relentless pressure to break opponents.”
– UFC broadcast team, 2023
Official statistics and fight history are maintained by UFC Stats and cross-referenced by independent databases like Wikipedia and the broadcaster CBS Sports.
Summary – Key Takeaways About Belal Muhammad
Belal Muhammad is a former UFC welterweight champion with a record of 24-6-0 (1 NC). At 37, he remains a ranked contender at #5, but is currently on a three-fight losing streak after losing his title in 2025. His Palestinian-American identity and grinding fighting style have made him a recognizable figure in the sport. For a deeper look at another top UFC fighter, check out our profile on Sean O’Malley – Next Fight, Record, Wife and Stats 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Belal Muhammad born?
Belal Muhammad was born on July 9, 1988.
How tall is Belal Muhammad?
He is 5’11” (180 cm) tall.
What is Belal Muhammad’s nickname?
His nickname is “Remember the Name”.
Who has Belal Muhammad lost to?
His losses include Jack Della Maddalena, Ian Machado Garry, Gabriel Bonfim, Leon Edwards (NC), Vicente Luque, and Stephen Thompson (split decision).
Does Belal Muhammad have a title fight booked?
No. As of June 2026, no official title fight has been announced for him.
What is Belal Muhammad’s stance?
He fights orthodox.
What is Belal Muhammad’s PhD or education background?
He holds a law degree from the University of Illinois.
Oliver Arthur Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for StoryShift.uk, covering UK news, culture, politics and technology. He works under Editor-in-Chief Maarika Tamm and UK Managing Editor Oliver Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.