History of Belal Muhammad in Timeline

Belal Muhammad is an American professional mixed martial artist competing in the UFC's Welterweight division. As of mid-2025, he holds the #1 ranking in the UFC welterweight division and #13 in the pound-for-pound rankings. He has been a professional fighter since 2012, previously competing in Bellator and Titan FC, and is the former UFC Welterweight Champion.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

July 9, 1988: Belal Muhammad's Birth

On July 9, 1988, Belal Muhammad was born. He is an American professional mixed martial artist.

Others born on this day/year

2012: Professional MMA Debut

In 2012, Belal Muhammad started his professional career as a mixed martial artist, competing in Bellator and Titan FC.

July 7, 2016: UFC Debut and Fight of the Night Award

On July 7, 2016, Belal Muhammad made his UFC debut against Alan Jouban at UFC Fight Night 90 as a short-notice replacement. He lost via unanimous decision, but both fighters earned Fight of the Night bonuses.

September 17, 2016: Victory over Augusto Montaño at UFC Fight Night 94

On September 17, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 94, Belal Muhammad defeated Augusto Montaño by TKO in the third round.

November 12, 2016: Loss to Vicente Luque at UFC 205

On November 12, 2016, at UFC 205, Belal Muhammad faced Vicente Luque after Lyman Good was pulled from the card. Muhammad lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

2016: Signed with UFC

In 2016, Belal Muhammad signed with the UFC after a TKO victory over Steve Carl to become the Titan Fighting Championships Welterweight Champion and achieving a 9-0 record.

February 11, 2017: Victory over Randy Brown at UFC 208

On February 11, 2017, Belal Muhammad, as a short notice replacement, fought Randy Brown at UFC 208 and won by unanimous decision.

July 8, 2017: Victory over Jordan Mein at UFC 213

On July 8, 2017, Belal Muhammad fought Jordan Mein at UFC 213 and won by unanimous decision.

November 19, 2017: Victory over Tim Means at UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura

On November 19, 2017, Belal Muhammad fought Tim Means at UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura, after Jesse Taylor was pulled from the card. Muhammad won by split decision.

June 1, 2018: Victory over Chance Rencountre at UFC Fight Night 131

On June 1, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 131, Belal Muhammad fought promotional newcomer Chance Rencountre, replacing Niko Price. Muhammad won the fight via unanimous decision.

September 14, 2018: Pulled from UFC Fight Night 137

On September 14, 2018, Belal Muhammad was pulled from the bout against Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos at UFC Fight Night 137 and was replaced by Luigi Vendramini.

September 22, 2018: Scheduled Fight at UFC Fight Night 137

Belal Muhammad was scheduled to meet Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos on September 22, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 137.

January 19, 2019: Loss to Geoff Neal at UFC Fight Night 143

On January 19, 2019, Belal Muhammad fought Geoff Neal at UFC Fight Night 143. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

April 13, 2019: Victory over Curtis Millender at UFC 236

On April 13, 2019, Belal Muhammad fought Curtis Millender at UFC 236 and won by unanimous decision.

September 7, 2019: Victory over Takashi Sato at UFC 242 and Performance of the Night Award

On September 7, 2019, at UFC 242, Belal Muhammad defeated Takashi Sato via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round. This victory earned Muhammad his first Performance of the Night award.

April 18, 2020: Scheduled Fight at UFC 249

Belal Muhammad was expected to face Lyman Good on April 18, 2020, at UFC 249, but the fight was postponed due to COVID-19.

June 1, 2020: Looting and Destruction of Family Businesses

On June 1, 2020, during the George Floyd unrest, businesses owned by Belal Muhammad's father and cousins in Chicago were looted and destroyed.

June 20, 2020: Victory over Lyman Good at UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Volkov

On June 20, 2020, Belal Muhammad fought Lyman Good at UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Volkov, winning the fight via unanimous decision.

December 19, 2020: Scheduled Fight against Sean Brady at UFC Fight Night 183 Scrapped

Belal Muhammad was scheduled to face Sean Brady on December 19, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 183. However, Brady withdrew due to a broken nose and was replaced by Dhiego Lima. Subsequently, Muhammed was diagnosed with COVID-19 and the bout was scrapped from the card.

February 13, 2021: Victory over Dhiego Lima at UFC 258

On February 13, 2021, Belal Muhammad fought Dhiego Lima at UFC 258, winning the fight via unanimous decision.

March 13, 2021: No Contest against Leon Edwards at UFC Fight Night 187

On March 13, 2021, Belal Muhammad faced Leon Edwards at UFC Fight Night 187. The fight was declared a no contest after Edwards accidentally poked Muhammad in the eye, rendering him unable to continue.

June 12, 2021: Victory over Demian Maia at UFC 263

On June 12, 2021, Belal Muhammad fought Demian Maia at UFC 263. Muhammad won the fight via unanimous decision.

July 28, 2021: Ceremonial First Pitch for the Chicago Cubs

On July 28, 2021, Belal Muhammad threw the ceremonial first pitch for the Chicago Cubs.

December 18, 2021: Victory over Stephen Thompson at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus

On December 18, 2021, Belal Muhammad fought Stephen Thompson at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

2021: Support for Palestine

In 2021, Belal Muhammad, a Muslim, showed support for Palestinians during the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis while also condemning antisemitism.

April 16, 2022: Victory over Vicente Luque at UFC on ESPN 34

On April 16, 2022, Belal Muhammad fought Vicente Luque in a rematch at UFC on ESPN 34. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

October 22, 2022: Victory over Sean Brady at UFC 280 and Performance of the Night Bonus

On October 22, 2022, Belal Muhammad fought Sean Brady at UFC 280. He won the bout via TKO stoppage at the end of the second round and received his second Performance of the Night bonus. Khabib Nurmagomedov was one of his cornermen for this fight.

May 6, 2023: Victory over Gilbert Burns at UFC 288

On May 6, 2023, Belal Muhammad fought Gilbert Burns at UFC 288. Muhammad won by unanimous decision.

October 20, 2023: Withdrawal from ADXC 1

Belal Muhammad was scheduled to compete against Tarek Suleiman in the no gi co-main event of ADXC 1 on October 20, 2023, but withdrew on short notice and was replaced by Marvin Vettori.

July 27, 2024: Won UFC Welterweight Championship

On July 27, 2024, Belal Muhammad faced Leon Edwards in a rematch at UFC 304 for the UFC Welterweight Championship. He won the fight and the title by unanimous decision.

December 7, 2024: Scheduled Title Defense at UFC 310

Belal Muhammad was scheduled to make his first UFC Welterweight Championship defense against Shavkat Rakhmonov on December 7, 2024, at UFC 310. However, he was forced to withdraw due to a bone infection in his foot.

February 2025: Title Defense Scheduled Against Jack Della Maddalena

In February 2025, with Rakhmonov unable to compete due to an injury, Belal Muhammad was scheduled to instead defend his title against Jack Della Maddalena on May 10, 2025, at UFC 315.

May 10, 2025: Lost Title against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315

On May 10, 2025, Belal Muhammad defended his title against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 after Rakhmonov was injured. He lost the fight and the title by unanimous decision, earning him another Fight of the Night award.