History of Belal Muhammad in Timeline

Belal Muhammad is a professional mixed martial artist from America. Competing in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), he is the current UFC Welterweight Champion. As of February 11, 2025, he is ranked #7 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings. Muhammad turned professional in 2012, and has 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.

Others born on this day/year

2012: Professional Debut

In 2012, Belal Muhammad began his professional mixed martial arts career.

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

On July 7, 2016, Belal Muhammad made his UFC debut against Alan Jouban at UFC Fight Night 90, losing via unanimous decision but earning a Fight of the Night bonus.

September 17, 2016: Victory at UFC Fight Night 94

On September 17, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 94, Belal Muhammad defeated Augusto Montaño via 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.

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

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

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

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

November 19, 2017: Victory over Tim Means at UFC Fight Night

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

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

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

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.

September 22, 2018: Pulled from UFC Fight Night 137

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

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

On January 19, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 143, Belal Muhammad lost to Geoff Neal by unanimous decision.

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

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

September 7, 2019: Victory and Performance of the Night

On September 7, 2019, at UFC 242, Belal Muhammad defeated Takashi Sato via rear-naked choke submission, 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, but 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 as a result of the George Floyd unrest.

June 20, 2020: Victory over Lyman Good at UFC on ESPN

On June 20, 2020, Belal Muhammad defeated Lyman Good by unanimous decision at UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Volkov.

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

On December 19, 2020, Belal Muhammad was scheduled to face Dhiego Lima at UFC Fight Night 183, however, the fight was scrapped due to Muhammad being diagnosed with COVID-19.

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

On February 13, 2021, Belal Muhammad defeated Dhiego Lima by unanimous decision at UFC 258.

March 13, 2021: No Contest Against Leon Edwards

On March 13, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 187, the fight between Belal Muhammad and Leon Edwards was declared a no contest after Edwards poked Muhammad in the eye.

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

On June 12, 2021, Belal Muhammad defeated Demian Maia by unanimous decision at UFC 263.

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 at UFC Fight Night

On December 18, 2021, Belal Muhammad defeated Stephen Thompson by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus.

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 over Vicente Luque at UFC on ESPN 34

On April 16, 2022, Belal Muhammad defeated Vicente Luque in a rematch at UFC on ESPN 34 by unanimous decision.

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

On October 22, 2022, at UFC 280, Belal Muhammad defeated Sean Brady via TKO, earning his second Performance of the Night bonus.

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

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

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, but he withdrew from the match and was replaced by Marvin Vettori.

July 27, 2024: Wins UFC Welterweight Championship

On July 27, 2024, at UFC 304, Belal Muhammad defeated Leon Edwards in a rematch to win the UFC Welterweight Championship by unanimous decision.

December 7, 2024: Withdraws 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.