The blended martial arts fighter snatches the UFC welterweight crown from defending champion Leon Edwards.
Belal Muhammad has made historical past by turning into the primary Palestinian-born blended martial arts fighter to win a UFC title, taking the welterweight crown from English champion Leon Edwards.
The 36-year-old American fighter, born in Chicago and the son of two Palestinian immigrants, gained by unanimous choice in 5 rounds (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) within the UFC 304 struggle on Saturday.
His face bloodied, Muhammad (24-3) fell to his knees moments after remaining undefeated in his eleventh consecutive struggle and having the championship belt wrapped round his waist. He has not misplaced since 2019.
“It’s not nearly me, it’s about them. [Palestinians and the people in Gaza]”what he is combating for,” Muhammad mentioned earlier than his struggle in Manchester, England.
He additionally proudly waved the Palestinian flag as he promoted Saturday’s match and criticised the Israeli struggle in Gaza.
Muhammad and Edwards fought to no avail in 2021, an unsatisfactory consequence that sparked profitable streaks for each fighters.
Edwards has gained 4 straight, whereas Muhammad has gained 5 in a row.
In 2022, Edwards (22-4) defeated Kamaru Usman to win the belt and had two profitable title defenses, earlier than going through Muhammad on Saturday.
‘We exist’
Muhammad has constantly highlighted his Palestinian background, utilizing Dammi Falesteeni (My Blood Is Palestine) by Arab Idol winner Mohammed Assaf as his coming-out track.
In 2021, Muhammad was quoted within the media as saying that as a world-renowned fighter, he had “a voice for the unvoiced.”
“There usually are not many Palestinian athletes who’ve a stage or a platform the place they’ll carry the flag. And now, particularly in these instances, I want to hold that flag greater than ever. To point out the world that we exist, that we’re a rustic and that there are actual individuals there.
“I now have a voice for the individuals who don’t have one, for the those that the world desires us to neglect. So if I can proceed to make clear that, raise their morale, raise their hearts, I’m going to do all the things I can.”
