Belal Muhammad News

Belal Muhammad UFC walkout
UFC

Belal Muhammad vows to show the world he's still the 'best guy' against Gabriel Bonfim at UFC Vegas 118

Cole Shelton - June 3, 2026

Belal Muhammad plans to remind everyone he’s still one of the best welterweights in the world. Muhammad is set to headline UFC Vegas 118 on Saturday against Gabriel Bonfim in a pivotal fight at welterweight. Despite losing his last two fights, Muhammad enters the bout as a -130 favorite while the Brazilian is a +102 underdog on FanDuel.

Belal Muhammad, Kamaru Usman, UFC, MMA
Kamaru Usman

Belal Muhammad no longer interested in Kamaru Usman grudge match: "The guy’s been avoiding me forever"

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 3, 2026

Belal Muhammad doesn’t plan to put much attention on Kamaru Usman moving forward. Muhammad and Usman have traded barbs over the past couple of years, but the two have yet to share the Octagon. An unaired episode of the “Pound 4 Pound” podcast back in 2024 went awry when “Remember The Name” and “The Nigerian Nightmare” got physical after some words were exchanged.

Belal Muhammad, UFC, Shavkat Rakhmonov, MMA, jon Anik
Ben Askren

Belal Muhammad calls Ben Askren wrestling match a 'lose-lose situation' for him

Cole Shelton - June 2, 2026

Belal Muhammad knows he’s in a no-win situation for his upcoming wrestling match. Muhammad is set to take on former Bellator and ONE Championship champion Ben Askren at RAF 11 on July 18. It’s Askren’s first time competing since his near-death encounter, which resulted in him having a double lung transplant.

Ben Askren wrestling
Ben Askren

Ben Askren returns to competition at RAF 11 after double lung transplant, faces former UFC champion Belal Muhammad

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 1, 2026

Ben Askren is making his return to competition at RAF 11, and the announcement comes just shy of one full year since he had a double lung transplant. Askren made the stunning reveal during Monday’s appearance on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” The former Bellator and ONE Championship titleholder announced that he will be wrestling former UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad. It’s an announcement that has shocked the MMA and freestyle wrestling communities as many have been in awe of Askren’s recovery.

Belal Muhammad and Kamaru Usman
Kamaru Usman

Belal Muhammad claims Kamaru Usman is being protected from him: "He'll get smacked around by me"

Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 8, 2026

Belal Muhammad believes Kamaru Usman is being protected from sharing the Octagon with him. Muhammad and Usman have had beef stemming from an unaired edition of the “Pound 4 Pound” podcast. Muhammad and Usman allegedly got into a scuffle and “Remember The Name” claims he got the better of “The Nigerian Nightmare.” Usman has dismissed a potential clash with Muhammad under the UFC banner unless high stakes are involved.

Belal Muhammad, Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal
Colby Covington

Belal Muhammad slams Colby Covington with four-word message after suing Jorge Masvidal

Curtis Calhoun - April 2, 2026

Former UFC champion Belal Muhammad blasted Colby Covington on social media after the controversial star sued Jorge Masvidal. One of the UFC’s most heated rivalries, featuring former teammates-turned-enemies Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal, took a fascinating turn this week in a Miami-area courtroom.

Sean Strickland
Sean Strickland

Sean Strickland doesn't deserve UFC title fight against Khamzat Chimaev, says Belal Muhammad

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 24, 2026

Sean Strickland isn’t deserving of his spot on the UFC 328 card if you ask Belal Muhammad. Strickland is set to challenge Khamzat Chimaev for the UFC Middleweight Championship on May 9. The title opportunity was given to Strickland following a second-round TKO finish over Anthony Hernandez in the UFC Houston main event back in February.

Belal Muhammad
UFC

Belal Muhammad headlines UFC Vegas 118 against Stephen Thompson's former rival

Curtis Calhoun - March 13, 2026

Former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad will look to get back into the title mix against a rising star. Amidst Islam Makhachev’s two-division triumph and a potential showdown with Ilia Topuria, former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad is one of several contenders on the outside of the title mix. Muhammad, who won the UFC welterweight championship by defeating Leon Edwards at UFC 304, has lost back-to-back fights since he earned the belt.

Belal Muhammad appears at the UFC 315 press conference, opposite Islam Makhachev after his win at UFC 322
Islam Makhachev

Belal Muhammad claims Islam Makhachev favors 'easier matchup' in Kamaru Usman over other top welterweights

Curtis Calhoun - December 16, 2025

Former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad accused Islam Makhachev of cherry picking opponents ahead of his first title defense. Islam Makhachev won a second UFC title by defeating Jack Della Maddalena by unanimous decision at UFC 322 last month. Makhachev, just months after vacating the lightweight belt, put on one of the most dominant performances of his career to dethrone Maddalena and win the welterweight championship.

Belal Muhammad and Ian Machado Garry face off at the UFC Qatar ceremonial weigh-in
Ian Garry

Belal Muhammad blames Ian Machado Garry's repeated eye pokes for UFC Qatar loss

Curtis Calhoun - December 1, 2025

Former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad didn’t hold back on Ian Machado Garry in his first in-depth remarks since UFC Qatar. UFC welterweight contenders Belal Muhammad and Ian Machado Garry clashed in a pivotal matchup in the division at UFC Qatar last month. Garry squeaked out a unanimous decision victory to hand Muhammad his second-straight defeat in the Octagon.

Ian Machado Garry defeats Belal Muhammad at UFC Qatar
UFC

Belal Muhammad issues statement following UFC Qatar loss to Ian Machado Garry

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 23, 2025

Belal Muhammad wasted little time issuing a statement after falling short against Ian Machado Garry in the UFC Qatar co-main event. Muhammad and Garry went the distance, and it was “The Future” who earned the unanimous decision victory. While Garry has emerged as a top contender at welterweight, Muhammad will now take a step down the 170-pound ladder.

Belal Muhammad, Ian Machado Garry
Ian Garry

Pros react after Ian Machado Garry defeats Belal Muhammad at UFC Qatar

Chris Taylor - November 22, 2025

Today’s UFC Qatar event was co-headlined by a pivotal welterweight bout featuring Belal Muhammad taking on Ian Machado Garry. Muhammad (24-5 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since losing the promotion’s welterweight title to now former champion Jack Della Maddalena at May’s UFC 315 event in Montreal. Prior to that setback, ‘Remember the Name’ had won six fights in a row, an impressive stretch which included victories over Leon Edwards and Gilbert Burns.

UFC Qatar, Results, Arman Tsarukyan, Dan Hooker, Belal Muhammad, Ian Machado Garry, UFC
Belal Muhammad

UFC Qatar: 'Tsarukyan vs. Hooker' Live Results and Highlights

Chris Taylor - November 21, 2025

The Octagon heads to Doha for today’s UFC Qatar event, a 14-bout fight card headlined by Arman Tsarukyan vs. Dan Hooker. Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since scoring a split decision victory over former division champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in April of 2024. ‘Ahalkalakets’ currently boasts a four-fight winning streak and has gone 9-2 since joining the UFC ranks in April of 2019.

Belal Muhammad, UFC 315
UFC

Belal Muhammad on 17-year-old training partner: "Feels like the Epstein files without the sex"

Dylan Bowker - November 21, 2025

Belal Muhammad invoked the name of Jeffrey Epstein during a recent UFC media day, which drew out a myriad of puzzled reactions from the MMA world at large. ‘Remember the Name’ prepares to take on surging contender Ian Machado Garry in a high-stakes welterweight clash set for the November 22nd UFC Fight Night main event offering. During the pre-fight media day for UFC Qatar, with an excerpt posted to X account @ChampRDS, Muhammad referred to documents related to underage sex trafficker Epstein and the files that the Justice Department has on his impropriety, which seems to strongly tie him to many affluent power players in America.

Michael Morales and Carlos Prates UFC 322
Carlos Prates

Michael Morales and Carlos Prates get huge praise from Belal Muhammad following UFC 322

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 20, 2025

Belal Muhammad was paying attention to the UFC 322 card, and he has big praise for Michael Morales and Carlos Prates. Morales and Prates both had statement-making performances inside Madison Square Garden in New York City recently. Morales starched grappling specialist and highly regarded contender Sean Brady in the first round. Prates found himself on the good side of the highlight reel, becoming the first fighter to knock Leon Edwards out.

Shavkat Rakhmonov UFC victory
Shavkat Rakhmonov

Shavkat Rakhmonov shoved down UFC welterweight ladder upon return, says ex-champion

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 20, 2025

A former UFC Welterweight Champion thinks Shavkat Rakhmonov will have to build his way back up the 170-pound ladder. Rakhmonov was supposed to challenge Muhammad for the welterweight gold at UFC 315 back in May. He suffered an injury and was replaced by Jack Della Maddalena, who ended up defeating Muhammad.

Belal Muhammad, Ian Machado Garry
Exclusive MMA Interviews

Pro fighters make their picks for Belal Muhammad vs. Ian Machado Garry

Cole Shelton - November 20, 2025

In the co-main event of UFC Qatar, a pivotal welterweight bout goes down as Belal Muhammad takes on Ian Machado Garry. Heading into the fight, Muhammad is a +215 underdog while the Irishman is a -290 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the welterweight fight at UFC Qatar. The majority of pros believe the underdog in Muhammad will be able to grind out a decision win.

Belal Muhammad, Kamaru Usman, UFC, MMA
Kamaru Usman

Belal Muhammad explains why Kamaru Usman shouldn't receive UFC title shot

Harry Kettle - November 18, 2025

Former UFC champion Belal Muhammad has explained why he doesn’t believe Kamaru Usman deserves a title shot. In the last few weeks, Kamaru Usman has made it crystal clear that he wants a shot at the UFC welterweight championship. Of course, he’s one of the best champions that the division has ever seen, and he is eager to prove that he’s still got it by challenging Islam Makhachev for the strap.