Every scar has a story, and Belal Muhammad’s journey is carved deep with lessons, not just victories. Kicking off his career as a cell phone store owner to competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Muhammad has traversed a challenging path.
Yet from the sweaty grind of local gyms in Chicago to the thunderous cages of the UFC, he’s turned doubters into believers, one gritty performance at a time. Fans see him now as a sharp, relentless, and undefeated-in-years juggernaut. But behind the gold and glory lies a history that shaped him. The setbacks. The one fight that ended before it really began. So, has Belal Muhammad truly run the UFC gauntlet untouched? Let’s find out!
Who has Belal Muhammad lost to?
Belal Muhammad had just won the Titan FC Welterweight Championship, which earned him a move to the UFC. However, his UFC debut went horribly wrong when he lost to Alan Jouban via unanimous decision in 2016. Despite the defeat, ‘Remember the Name’ delivered an impressive performance, earning Fight of the Night honors. The fight was closely contested, with both fighters landing over 100 strikes. Jouban edged out the victory with three knockdowns, while Muhammad’s two takedowns weren’t enough to sway the judges.
Muhammad gained new fans after the Jouban fight and didn’t disappoint them in his next bout, defeating Augusto Montano via TKO. This success led to a high-profile match against Vicente Luque, but it ended disastrously for ‘Remember The Name.’ He was knocked out in the first round, with the fight lasting only 80 seconds—a significant blow to his popularity. Nevertheless, Muhammad rebounded from that brutal knockout and went on an impressive four-fight winning streak.
His third loss came against Geoff Neal in January 2019. Muhammad was outclassed throughout the fight, as Neal successfully defended all of his takedown attempts and knocked him down twice, securing a unanimous decision victory. Outstruck and outwrestled by Neal, the Arab-American has since made significant improvements to his game.
Muhammad trained diligently and went on a four-fight winning streak before facing ‘Rocky’ in 2021, followed by another 6 consecutive wins, which also included his title-winning performance at UFC 304 against none other than Leon Edwards. So, what exactly happened in that controversial clash against Edwards?
What happened in the Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad I fight?
Muhammad and Edwards faced off at UFC Vegas 21, competing for the #1 contender’s spot. The fighters were razor-sharp at the start of the match, but chaos erupted in the second round. Just 18 seconds into the round, Muhammad fell to the ground, clutching his face and screaming in pain. Referee Herb Dean quickly intervened to stop the fight.
Upon reviewing the replays, it was revealed that when Belal Muhammad rushed in to kick Leon Edwards, the Jamaican extended a left fist. Unfortunately, Edwards’ middle finger poked Muhammad’s right eye, causing a severe injury. Ringside doctors quickly examined ‘Bully B’ and determined that he couldn’t see, leading to the fight being declared a no-contest.
Fans held their breath. Was the eye permanently damaged? Thankfully, Muhammad took to social media with an update. “No permanent damage,” he wrote. “I’ll be back.” And he kept his word. Years later, at UFC 304, he finally got his rematch and redemption against Leon Edwards at UFC 304.
Belal Muhammad’s MMA stats and record
Standing at 5 feet 11 inches with a 72-inch reach, Belal Muhammad built a reputation around durability and consistency. With a professional MMA record of 24 wins, 3 losses, and 1 no contest, his fighting style blends calculated striking and elite takedown defense and offense. He lands an average of 4.39 significant strikes per minute with 43% accuracy, while absorbing 3.48 strikes per minute and defending 57% of incoming shots.
On the ground, Muhammad averages 2.28 takedowns per 15 minutes, successfully landing 39% of his attempts, and impressively defends 89% of takedowns attempted against him. Though he’s not known for submissions, he still averages 0.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him a well-rounded and difficult opponent to break down.
February 26, 2025, Montreal, Pq, CANADA: UFC 315 welterweight champion Belal Muhammad speaks during a press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz to announce his upcoming fight against Jack Della Maddalena in Montreal on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. Canada News – February 26, 2025 PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY – ZUMAc35_ 20250226_zaf_c35_046 Copyright: xChristinnexMuschix
But numbers don’t paint the entire picture. Belal Muhammad’s story isn’t just about triumph; it’s about transformation. From early setbacks to that fateful no-contest with Leon Edwards, every moment led him here. But the road ahead is far from smooth.
Enter Jack Della Maddalena. The Aussie standout is coming for gold, and the two will collide at UFC 315. Will Muhammad’s ironclad defense and relentless pace hold up against Della Maddalena’s precision and power? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
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