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 is ranked #12 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings. Muhammad has been a professional fighter since 2012, and has also fought 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: Began professional career

In 2012, Belal Muhammad began his professional mixed martial arts career, competing for Bellator and Titan FC in addition to the UFC.

July 7, 2016: UFC Debut vs Alan Jouban

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

September 17, 2016: Victory over Augusto Montaño

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

November 12, 2016: Loss to Vicente Luque

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 the UFC

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

February 11, 2017: Victory over Randy Brown

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

July 8, 2017: Victory over Jordan Mein

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

November 19, 2017: Victory over Tim Means

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

June 1, 2018: Victory over Chance Rencountre

On June 1, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 131, Belal Muhammad faced Chance Rencountre, a promotional newcomer, after Niko Price was removed from the bout, and 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 his scheduled bout against Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos at UFC Fight Night 137.

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

On September 22, 2018, Belal Muhammad was scheduled to meet Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos at UFC Fight Night 137, but he was pulled from the bout on September 14 and replaced by Luigi Vendramini.

January 19, 2019: Loss to Geoff Neal

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

April 13, 2019: Victory over Curtis Millender

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

September 7, 2019: Victory over Takashi Sato

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

April 18, 2020: Expected Fight at UFC 249

On April 18, 2020, Belal Muhammad was expected to face Lyman Good at UFC 249, but the fight was cancelled after Good contracted COVID-19.

June 1, 2020: Businesses Looted

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

June 20, 2020: Victory over Lyman Good

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

December 19, 2020: Fight Scrapped Due to COVID-19 Diagnosis

On December 19, 2020, Belal Muhammad was expected to face Sean Brady at UFC Fight Night 183, but after Brady pulled out, Muhammad was diagnosed with COVID-19 during the week leading up to the event and the bout was scrapped from the card.

February 13, 2021: Victory over Dhiego Lima

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

March 13, 2021: No Contest Against Leon Edwards

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 in the second round.

June 12, 2021: Victory over Demian Maia

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

July 28, 2021: Ceremonial First Pitch

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

December 18, 2021: Victory over Stephen Thompson

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

2021: Denounced antisemitism and Showed support for Palestinians

In 2021, Belal Muhammad denounced antisemitism and showed his support for Palestinians during the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis.

April 16, 2022: Victory over Vicente Luque in Rematch

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

October 22, 2022: Victory over Sean Brady

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

May 6, 2023: Victory over Gilbert Burns

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

October 20, 2023: Withdrew 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, but he withdrew from the match on short notice.

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: Withdrew 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: Scheduled to defend title 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: Lost UFC Welterweight Championship

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