The blended martial arts fighter captured the UFC welterweight title from defending champion Leon Edwards.
Belal Muhammad made historical past as the primary MMA fighter of Palestinian background to win a UFC title, taking the welterweight crown from British champion Leon Edwards.
The 36-year-old American boxer, who was born in Chicago and is the kid of two Palestinian immigrants, received a five-round unanimous choice (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) at UFC 304 on Saturday.
Muhammad (24-3), together with his face coated in blood, fell to his knees shortly after going 11 straight fights undefeated and with the championship belt wrapped round his waist. He hasn’t misplaced since 2019.
“It isn’t nearly me, it is about them [Palestinians and the people in Gaza]”That is what he is preventing for,” Muhammad reportedly mentioned earlier than the sport in Manchester, England.
He additionally proudly waved the Palestinian flag whereas selling Saturday’s recreation whereas criticizing Israel’s battle on Gaza.
Muhammad and Edwards fought a no-contest in 2021, an unsatisfactory end result that sparked a profitable streak for each fighters.
Edwards is on a four-fight win streak, whereas Muhammad is on a five-fight win streak.
Edwards (22-4) received the belt in 2022 by defeating Kamaru Usman and efficiently defended it twice earlier than dealing with off towards Muhammad on Saturday.
“We do exist”
Mohamed has all the time emphasised his Palestinian background and used Arab Idol winner Mohamed Assaf’s Dami Falestini (My Blood Is Palestine) as his strike track.
In 2021, information studies quoted Muhammad as saying that as a world-renowned fighter, he “offers a voice to the unvoiced.”
“Not many Palestinian athletes have a stage or a platform to hold the flag. Now, particularly throughout these occasions, I would like to lift that flag larger than ever. To indicate the world that we do exist and that we’re one nation, There are actual individuals there.
“Now I am a voice for many who haven’t got a voice, for the individuals the world needs you to overlook. So if I proceed to concentrate on that and carry their morale and carry their hearts, I will do my finest.
