MMA fighter Belal Muhammad becomes first Palestinian UFC champ, making history

Belal Muhammad, a Palestinian-American mixed martial fighter, became the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s (UFC) first Palestinian champion on Saturday, making history.

The champion won UFC 304, beating and dethroning Leon Edwards unanimously at the Co-op Live in Manchester, England, becoming the welterweight champion.

The 36-year-old first had a match with his rival in 2021, but it ended in a no-contest as Edward poked the Palestinian fighter in the eye, ruling him incapacitated. Muhammad had constantly pursued Edwards for a rematch until this match took place.

After donning the championship belt, the fighter dedicated the win for his family and Palestine.

"This is for my family, my people and Palestine, we’re fighting the real fight, inshallah I put a smile on their face," he said, referring to Israel's ongoing war on Gaza.

He represented Palestine in the lead-up to the fight and previous fights, carrying the Palestinian flag in press conferences and during the weigh-in for the fight.

Muhammad entered the area wearing the flag with the song ‘My Blood is Palestinian’ by Palestinian singer Mohammed Assaf.

'We do exist'

The fighter was born to Palestinian parents in the United States who moved from Palestine at a young age, settling in Chicago and has long supported Palestinian rights.

"There aren’t a lot of Palestinian athletes that have a stage or platform where they can carry the flag. And now, especially during these times, I need to carry that flag higher than ever. To show the world that we do exist, that we are a country, and there are real people there," he said in an interview in 2021.

He has been harsh critic of Israel’s war on Gaza, which has killed at least 39,324 Palestinians since October.

He has also been vocal online, writing "Pray for Palestine" on X following reports of hospitals in Gaza running out of fuel.

Muhammed announced he was involved in working with a charity, Palestinian Children's Relief Fund, to help relocate a father and child from Gaza to the US, after Israeli bombings killed some of their family members. 

Many fans and activists welcomed and praised Muhammad’s win online.

One user wrote on X: "Belal Muhammad is a UFC champion, Palestine has a world champion."

"HE DID IT. Belal Muhammad just became the first Palestinian UFC champion. History has been made. FREE PALESTINE #UFC304," another responded to the win.

 Other social media users agreed, writing "a proud day for Palestine."

Some used the win to highlight Israel's ongoing war on Gaza which has killed over 39,000 Palestinians and wounded over 90,000 others since October.

The war has killed many Palestinian athletes in Gaza, with the Palestine Olympic Committee stating nearly 400 Palestinian athletes had been killed since 7 October, and that the majority of sporting infrastructures have been destroyed by Israeli bombardment.

The nation is participating in the 2024 Olympics in Paris, with its representatives being mainly from abroad.