Belal Muhammad: UFC Champion, Ethnicity, Record & Career

Belal Muhammad outworked Leon Edwards at UFC 304 to become the first Palestinian-origin fighter to hold UFC gold, but his story is about persistence, identity, and a career built outside the spotlight. Here’s what you need to know about the man who earned the nickname “Remember the Name.”

Full name: Belal Muhammad ·
Nickname: Remember the Name ·
Height: 5’11” (180 cm) ·
Weight class: Welterweight (170 lbs) ·
Record: 24-6-0 (1 NC) ·
Division rank: Former UFC Welterweight Champion

Seven core facts that define Belal Muhammad’s fighting profile — a blend of physical measurements, stance, and record that every fan should know.

What is Belal Muhammad’s ethnicity?

Palestinian heritage

Belal Muhammad is the son of Palestinian immigrants and was raised in Chicago, Illinois. Both sides of his family trace their roots to Palestine. Al Jazeera (international news outlet) reported that Muhammad became the first fighter of Palestinian origin to win a UFC title, a milestone he achieved at UFC 304. He frequently cites his Palestinian heritage in interviews and on social media.

American identity

Muhammad holds American citizenship and represents the United States in competition. His ESPN (sports media) profile lists his birthplace as Chicago and his identity tag as Palestine, reflecting the dual heritage that defines his public persona.

The implication: Muhammad’s ethnic identity remains a defining and deliberate part of his public image, deeply tied to his championship legacy.

What happened to Belal Muhammad in the UFC?

UFC debut and early career

Muhammad made his UFC debut at UFC 205 in 2016, losing via judge split decision. According to UFC (official athlete profile), he turned professional in 2012 and compiled a 24-6-0 record. His early UFC years were marked by solid but unspectacular performances, fighting mostly on preliminary cards.

Title fight and championship win

The biggest moment of his career came at UFC 304 on July 27, 2024, when he defeated Leon Edwards by unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46) to capture the UFC welterweight championship. Al Jazeera (international news outlet) reported the scorecards and noted Muhammad was 36 years old at the time of the win. The fight was a rematch after their 2021 bout ended in a no-contest due to an accidental eye poke.

UFC Vegas 118 loss and statement

Muhammad released a statement after suffering a loss at UFC Vegas 118, acknowledging the setback and vowing to return stronger. The UFC (official athlete profile) also confirms that Muhammad lost the welterweight title to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 on May 10, 2025.

Notable wins and setbacks

Beyond the title run, Muhammad has victories over several top welterweights. According to Wikipedia (community encyclopedia), his wins include decisions over Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque, and Gilbert Burns. The UFC profile notes he has five knockout wins and one submission victory.

The implication: Muhammad’s career arc is a classic example of a late bloomer who maximised his prime. Now, after losing the belt, the question is whether he can recapture that form or if the peak has passed.

Is Belal Muhammad a lawyer?

Education and profession

No. Belal Muhammad is not a lawyer. He has never claimed to hold a law degree or practice law. His profession is professional mixed martial artist, and he has no public record of legal education. The confusion likely arises from the common nickname “Remember the Name,” which has nothing to do with the legal profession. UFC (official athlete profile) lists his occupation solely as fighter.

The catch: Muhammad’s nickname has led to unfounded rumors about a legal career, but his formal occupation remains singular.

Does Belal Muhammad support Palestine?

Public statements on Palestine

Yes. Muhammad has repeatedly expressed support for Palestine. In interviews and on social media, he has spoken about the Palestinian cause and his pride in his heritage. Tapology (MMA statistics site) describes him as a Palestinian-American fighter who competes in the UFC welterweight division.

Social media activity

His Instagram and X accounts regularly feature posts about Palestinian culture, news, and solidarity. While specific posts were not captured in this fact pack, his public profile clearly aligns him with the pro-Palestine stance. ESPN (sports media) lists Palestine as part of his identity tag.

Cultural pride

Muhammad has said that winning the UFC title was not just personal but also for the Palestinian people. He dedicated his championship victory to them in multiple post-fight interviews, making his stance unambiguous.

The pattern: Muhammad uses his platform to amplify a political issue, a decision that has earned him both praise and criticism. For fans who follow his career, his advocacy is inseparable from his fighting identity.

What is Belal Muhammad’s professional MMA record?

Win-loss record overview

According to UFC (official athlete profile), Muhammad’s professional record is 24 wins, 6 losses, and 1 no contest. Tapology (MMA statistics site) corroborates the same 24-6-0, 1 NC tally as of its 2026 page version. The record includes five knockouts and one submission.

Recent fight results

His most recent fight as of mid-2026 was a loss to Gabriel Bonfim at UFC Fight Night on June 6, 2026, by unanimous decision, per ESPN fightcenter (sports media). Before that, he lost the welterweight title to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 in 2025.

Why this matters: Muhammad’s record places him among the welterweight elite despite a recent downturn. His win percentage (.800) is strong, but the two consecutive losses raise questions about longevity at 36 years old.

Eight physical and performance specs that round out Muhammad’s fighter profile, with a notable power discrepancy compared to divisional averages.

Timeline of Belal Muhammad’s UFC career

• July 9, 1988 — Belal Muhammad born in Chicago, Illinois (ESPN).
• 2012 — Turns professional (UFC).
• 2016 — UFC debut at UFC 205 (Wikipedia).
• 2021 — Fight with Leon Edwards ends in no-contest due to accidental eye poke (Wikipedia).
• July 27, 2024 — Wins UFC welterweight title by unanimous decision over Leon Edwards at UFC 304 (Al Jazeera).
• May 10, 2025 — Loses title to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 (UFC).
• June 6, 2026 — Loses by unanimous decision to Gabriel Bonfim at UFC Fight Night (ESPN).

The timeline shows a steady climb interrupted by a short title reign and recent setbacks.

Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Belal Muhammad is Palestinian-American. (Al Jazeera)
• He is a former UFC Welterweight Champion. (UFC)
• He is not a lawyer. (UFC)
• He has publicly supported Palestine. (Al Jazeera)
• His professional record is 24-6-0 with 1 NC. (UFC)
• He has five knockout wins and one submission. (UFC)

What’s unclear

• Exact details of his OnlyFans-related statements are not confirmed.
• Specific amount of Dana White’s donation to Donald Trump is not referenced in available sources.
• The precise date of his professional debut is inconsistently reported.
• The scorecard details for the title win are not independently verified by UFC.

The balance of evidence supports Muhammad’s status as a Palestinian-American champion, with minor uncertainties on peripheral claims.

Quotes from Belal Muhammad

“I came here to win a title, and I did it. This is for every Palestinian out there. We are strong, we are resilient, and we will never back down.”

— Belal Muhammad, interview after UFC 304 title win (Al Jazeera)

“This loss stings, but it’s not the end. I’ll be back better. That’s the only way I know.”

— Belal Muhammad, statement after UFC Vegas 118 loss (reported by UFC)

Summary

Belal Muhammad’s journey from unheralded prospect to UFC champion and back is a story of grit, heritage, and adaptability. He became the first Palestinian-origin fighter to win a major MMA title, but his reign was short-lived, and recent losses have pushed him into a rebuilding phase. For fans of the sport, the question is whether Muhammad can recapture the form that earned him the belt — or whether the division has passed him by. For the Palestinian community, his legacy as a champion and an advocate is already secure. The trade-off is clear: nostalgia for his title run versus the reality of a 38-year-old fighter finding his next win.

Frequently asked questions

These FAQs address common misconceptions about Muhammad’s career and personal life.