The mixed martial artist took the UFC welterweight title from defending champion Leon Edwards.
Belal Muhammad made history by becoming the first mixed martial artist of Palestinian descent to win a UFC title when he took the welterweight crown from British champion Leon Edwards.
The 36-year-old American fighter, born in Chicago to Palestinian immigrant parents, won a five-round unanimous decision victory (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) at UFC 304 on Saturday.
Muhammad (24-3), unbeaten in his 11th fight, took to his knees with blood streaming from his face moments after putting the championship belt around his waist. He hasn't lost since 2019.
“It's not just about me, it's about them. [Palestinians and the people in Gaza]”This is what I'm fighting for,” Muhammad was quoted as saying before the match in Manchester, England.
He also proudly waved the Palestinian flag while promoting Saturday's match and criticizing Israel's war on Gaza.
Muhammad and Edwards fought to a no-contest in 2021, an unsatisfactory result, but it sparked winning streaks for both fighters.
Edwards has won four straight fights, while Muhammad has won five straight.
Edwards (22-4) defeated Kamaru Usman to win the belt in 2022 and made two successful title defenses before facing Muhammad on Saturday.
“We exist”
Muhammad has consistently emphasised his Palestinian heritage, using Arab Idol winner Mohammed Assaf's “Dami Farestini” (My Blood is Palestinian) as his exit song.
In 2021, Muhammad was reported as a world-renowned warrior and “a voice for the voiceless.”
“Not many Palestinian athletes have the stage or platform to hold the flag, and now, especially in times like these, I need to hold the flag higher than ever before, to show the world that we exist, that we are a country and that there are real people out there.”
“Right now I'm speaking up for people who don't have a voice, people that the world would prefer they forget. So if I can continue to shine a light on that and lift their morale and lift their spirits, I'm going to do whatever I can.”
