Belal Muhammad is a prominent name in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA), known for his relentless fighting style and recent rise to the top of the UFC welterweight division. Here’s a detailed look at his personal life, career, earnings, endorsements, and more.
Belal Muhammad’s Biography
| Attribute | Information |
| Full Name | Belal Muhammad |
| Nickname | Remember the Name |
| Born | July 9, 1988 |
| Age | 36 years |
| College | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
| Religion | Islam |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5’11” (180 cm) |
| Turned Pro | 2012 |
| Net Worth (2025) | Approximately $3 million |
| Salary (Recent Fight) | Up to $1.34 million (UFC 315) |
| Spouse | Not married |
| Relationship Status | Private; rumored but unconfirmed relationships |
| Instagram Profile | @bullyb170 |
Belal Muhammad was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, to Palestinian immigrant parents. He has four siblings: an older brother, an older sister, and two younger brothers. He wrestled in high school under coach Louis Taylor and later attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he studied law before fully committing to MMA. Muhammad is a devout Muslim known for his discipline and religious devotion, including praying five times daily and avoiding swearing.
Early Career
Belal Muhammad began his professional MMA career in 2012, fighting in smaller promotions such as Bellator and Titan FC before making his way to the UFC in 2016. His early UFC debut was as a late replacement against Alan Jouban, where he lost by unanimous decision but earned Fight of the Night honors. He secured his first UFC win shortly after with a third-round TKO against Augusto Montaño.
Over the years, Muhammad steadily climbed the welterweight ranks with a combination of relentless pressure, strong wrestling, and high fight IQ. Known for his high output and ability to maintain pace, he has defeated notable fighters like Demian Maia, Vicente Luque, Stephen Thompson, and Gilbert Burns. His wrestling background and cardio are often praised, with UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov calling his endurance potentially the best in the UFC. In July 2024, Muhammad captured the UFC Welterweight Championship by defeating Leon Edwards, becoming the first Palestinian-born UFC champion.
Belal Muhammad’s Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Belal Muhammad’s net worth is estimated to be around $3 million. His wealth primarily comes from his UFC fight purses, sponsorship deals, and his growing personal brand, including his podcast and social media presence. His earnings have increased significantly since becoming the welterweight champion, with fight purses and endorsements contributing heavily to his financial success.
Fight Purses
| Event | Opponent | Date | Base Salary | Win Bonus | Sponsorship | Total Earnings |
| UFC Fight Night 90 | Alan Jouban | 7/7/2016 | $15,000 | $0 | $3,500 | $18,500 |
| UFC Fight Night 94 | Augusto Montaño | 9/17/2016 | $15,000 | $15,000 | $3,500 | $33,500 |
| UFC 205 | Vicente Luque | 11/12/2016 | $20,000 | $0 | $3,500 | $23,500 |
| UFC 208 | Randy Brown | 2/11/2017 | $20,000 | $20,000 | $4,000 | $44,000 |
| UFC 304 | Leon Edwards | 7/27/2024 | $500,000 | $500,000 | $32,000 | $1,032,000 |
| UFC 315 | Jack Della Maddalena | 5/10/2025 | $750,000 | – | – | $1,342,000 (estimated) |
Endorsements
- Reebok (official UFC outfitter)
- Venum (UFC apparel sponsor)
- Combat Corner
- Interest in luxury watch sponsorships, notably Rolex (actively seeking sponsorship)
Career Records
| Opponent | Result | Event | Date | Notes |
| Leon Edwards | Win | UFC 304 | 7/27/2024 | Won UFC Welterweight Championship |
| Jack Della Maddalena | Loss | UFC 315 | 5/10/2025 | Lost first title defense |
| Gilbert Burns | Win | UFC 288 | 5/6/2023 | High-profile welterweight win |
| Stephen Thompson | Win | UFC Vegas 45 | 12/18/2021 | Noted striking battle |
| Demian Maia | Win | UFC 263 | 6/12/2021 | Grappling-focused victory |
| Vicente Luque | Win | UFC on ESPN 35 | 4/16/2022 | Rematch win |
FAQs
1. Who is Belal Muhammad?
Belal Muhammad is an American professional mixed martial artist competing in the UFC’s welterweight division. He is a former UFC Welterweight Champion and, as of May 2025, ranks #1 in the welterweight division and #13 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings.
2. What is Belal Muhammad’s background and heritage?
Belal Muhammad was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, to Palestinian parents. He is known for his strong connection to his Palestinian roots and often represents Palestine in his fights.
3. How did Belal Muhammad start his MMA career?
Belal Muhammad began his professional MMA career in 2012. He wrestled at Bogan High School and later trained under Louis Taylor, a future PFL champion, who helped guide his early amateur career.
4. What is Belal Muhammad’s fighting style?
Belal Muhammad is known for his high-output, pressure-based fighting style. He has a strong wrestling background and is considered a well-rounded fighter, effectively mixing striking—especially his jab—with takedowns and grappling.
5. When did Belal Muhammad make his UFC debut?
Belal Muhammad made his UFC debut on July 7, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 90 as a late replacement. Although he lost his debut by unanimous decision, he earned Fight of the Night honors for his performance.
6. What are some of Belal Muhammad’s most notable achievements?
Belal Muhammad became the first Arab/Palestinian UFC champion after defeating Leon Edwards at UFC 304. He has notable victories over respected fighters such as Demian Maia and Vicente Luque.
7. How has Belal Muhammad used his platform for humanitarian causes?
Belal Muhammad is recognized for his humanitarian efforts, including bringing a child and his father from Palestine to Chicago after their family was affected by conflict. He is vocal about his support for Palestine and uses his platform to raise awareness about humanitarian issues.
8. What is Belal Muhammad’s educational background?
Belal Muhammad studied law and graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign before pursuing a full-time career in MMA.
9. What is Belal Muhammad’s current MMA record?
Belal Muhammad holds a professional MMA record of 24 wins, 4 losses, and 1 no-contest.
10. How has Belal Muhammad influenced others outside the cage?
Belal Muhammad is known for inspiring others through his faith, resilience, and advocacy. He has helped people accept Islam, spoken about his journey on platforms like Joe Rogan’s podcast, and is seen as a role model for using his success to amplify messages of social justice and cultural pride.