History of Belal Muhammad in Timeline

Belal Muhammad is a highly-ranked American professional mixed martial artist. He competes in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and is a former UFC Welterweight Champion. As of May 2025, he is ranked #1 in the UFC welterweight division and #12 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings. Muhammad has been a professional MMA fighter since 2012, and has also competed in Bellator and Titan FC.

Sections (3)

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 Career Start

In 2012, Belal Muhammad started his professional MMA career, and he has competed for Bellator and Titan FC.

July 7, 2016: UFC Debut

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

September 17, 2016: Victory at UFC Fight Night 94

On September 17, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 94, Belal Muhammad faced Augusto Montaño. He won the fight via TKO in the third round.

November 12, 2016: Loss at UFC 205

On November 12, 2016, Belal Muhammad was scheduled to face Lyman Good at UFC 205 but faced Vicente Luque after Good was pulled due to a potential anti-doping violation. Muhammad lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

2016: Signing with UFC

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

February 11, 2017: Victory at UFC 208

On February 11, 2017, Belal Muhammad stepped in as a short-notice replacement and faced Randy Brown at UFC 208. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

July 8, 2017: Victory at UFC 213

On July 8, 2017, Belal Muhammad faced Jordan Mein at UFC 213. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

November 19, 2017: Victory at UFC Fight Night

On November 19, 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura, Belal Muhammad faced Tim Means after Jesse Taylor was pulled due to a potential doping violation. Muhammad won the fight via split decision.

June 1, 2018: Victory at UFC Fight Night 131

On June 1, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 131, Belal Muhammad faced Chance Rencountre after Niko Price was removed from the bout. Muhammad won the fight via unanimous decision.

September 14, 2018: Being Pulled from UFC Fight Night 137

On September 14, 2018, Belal Muhammad was pulled from the bout against Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos, which was scheduled for September 22, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 137 and he was replaced by newcomer Luigi Vendramini.

September 22, 2018: Pulled from UFC Fight Night 137

Belal Muhammad was initially scheduled to meet Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos on September 22, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 137. However, he was pulled from the bout on September 14, 2018.

January 19, 2019: Loss at UFC Fight Night 143

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

April 13, 2019: Victory at UFC 236

On April 13, 2019, Belal Muhammad faced Curtis Millender at UFC 236. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

September 7, 2019: Victory and Performance of the Night at UFC 242

On September 7, 2019, at UFC 242, Belal Muhammad faced Takashi Sato. He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round, earning his first Performance of the Night award.

April 18, 2020: Lyman Good Pulls Out of UFC 249

On April 18, 2020, Belal Muhammad was expected to face Lyman Good at UFC 249. However, on April 4, Good pulled out due to COVID-19 infection.

June 1, 2020: Looting of Family Businesses

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

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

On June 20, 2020, Belal Muhammad faced Lyman Good at UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Volkov after their initial bout was cancelled. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

December 19, 2020: Fight Night 183 Bout Scrapped

On December 19, 2020, Belal Muhammad was expected to face Sean Brady at UFC Fight Night 183, but Brady withdrew due to a broken nose. Dhiego Lima replaced Brady. Subsequently, Muhammad was diagnosed with COVID-19, and the bout was scrapped.

February 13, 2021: Victory at UFC 258

On February 13, 2021, Belal Muhammad faced Dhiego Lima at UFC 258 after their initial bout was cancelled. Muhammad won the fight via unanimous decision.

March 13, 2021: No Contest Result 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 poked Muhammad in the eye, rendering him unable to continue during the second round.

June 12, 2021: Victory at UFC 263

On June 12, 2021, Belal Muhammad faced 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 at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus

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

2021: Support for Palestine

In 2021, Belal Muhammad denounced the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis showing support for Palestinians while also condemning antisemitism.

April 16, 2022: Victory Against Vicente Luque

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

October 22, 2022: TKO Victory and Performance of the Night at UFC 280

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

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

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

October 20, 2023: Withdrawal from ADXC 1

On October 20, 2023, Belal Muhammad was scheduled to compete against Tarek Suleiman in the no gi co-main event of ADXC 1. However, he withdrew from the match on short notice.

July 27, 2024: UFC Welterweight Championship Victory

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: Withdrawal from UFC 310

On December 7, 2024, Belal Muhammad was scheduled to make his first UFC Welterweight Championship defense against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310, but 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 defend his title against Jack Della Maddalena on May 10, 2025, at UFC 315.

May 10, 2025: Loss of the UFC Welterweight Championship

On May 10, 2025, Belal Muhammad defended his title against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315, after his bout with Rakhmonov got cancelled. He lost the fight and the title by unanimous decision and earned Fight of the Night award.