Imagine sitting across from a champion in one of the world's most perilous sports, sporting a fractured nose and a dazzling belt as testament to his blood, sweat, and relentless efforts to reach his pinnacle. If this doesn't send a shiver down your spine, nothing will. The man in question is Belal Muhammad, the UFC Welterweight champion, whose victory over Leon Edwards at UFC 304 marked a historic first for a Palestinian fighter.
"This is the moment you've been dreaming of all your life, and when you finally grasp it, the feeling is incredible," the 36-year-old recounts in an interview with City Times. "All the years of toil, the grind, the highs and lows, the blood, sweat, and tears – it was a monumental night for me, my family, and my people."
Belal's journey began 13 years ago at the age of 23, which is considered late to start in the UFC. Initially, his goal was to reach the UFC. "I was determined to keep fighting, learning, improving, and winning," he recalls. "Once I secured a certain number of victories, I felt ready for the UFC." However, his debut fight ended in defeat, and he was adamant about not fading into obscurity.
"After that loss, we made changes, found the right training facilities, and kept pushing until I was ranked," he explains. Climbing the rankings, Belal notes, is the toughest challenge. "Everyone wants to maintain their position; no one wants to risk a downward fight."
Interestingly, stepping into the octagon was not part of Belal's early plans. He had ambitions to become a lawyer. "I was studying to be a lawyer when I encountered my high school wrestling coach, Lewis Taylor, who was competing in Strikeforce. I reached out to him on Facebook, started training once a week, and soon became hooked. I was always competitive, but it wasn't until I worked with Lewis that I considered fighting as a career."
Ahead of UFC 304, Belal underwent an intense eight-week training camp for his title fight against Leon Edwards. "I've never looked or fought better," he asserts. However, the immediate future involves recovery and rest. "We're still healing from the fight, so training is on hold for now."
Despite his achievements, Belal remains driven by goals. "I never just sit back and appreciate my progress because I'm focused on the next goal," he states. His sights are set on Kazakh fighter Shavkat Rakhmonov, though a fight in October is too soon due to his injuries. "December seems more feasible. We'll assess our recovery and then coordinate with the UFC."
Belal's historic win holds significant meaning for Palestine amidst challenging times. "I hope this victory resonates as a collective triumph for them," he expresses. "Every victory is a blessing, and for them, every day is a struggle. If I can bring them joy, that's a blessing for me."
"I will continue to advocate, fight, and win for you until you are free and we can celebrate together. Until the world recognizes you and your country's rightful place. You deserve to exist, and you will."
