Belal Muhammad will defend his welterweight title at UFC 315 while carrying the Palestinian flag, emphasizing his commitment to raising awareness about the ongoing conflict in Palestine and representing his heritage despite previous concerns about the flag’s display.
Belal Muhammad is gearing up for UFC 315 in Montreal on May 10, proudly donning the Palestinian flag as he defends his welterweight title. This isn’t new for him, but there was a brief moment of uncertainty when the flag disappeared from his UFC profile. Thankfully, it was quickly restored, with Muhammad clarifying it was just an oversight.
“Yeah, 100 percent,” he assured MMA Fighting about carrying the flag. “We’ve talked about it and they’ve accepted it. Nothing is going to stop me from doing it.” His roots run deep, as his parents are from Palestine. Muhammad has been vocal about the ongoing conflict, using his platform to raise awareness and funds.
In the lead-up to his fight against Jack Della Maddalena, he continues to highlight these issues. “It’s hard, especially right now,” he shared. “For over two years, they’re dying, they’re starving. The world’s just watching it. It’s wild.”
Defending his title is significant, but Muhammad is fighting for more than just a belt. Reports of dire conditions in Gaza fuel his determination. Despite the challenges, messages of support pour in, motivating him further.
“For me, it just makes me want to work that much harder for them,” he said. “I can’t lose. When they see me fight, they’re going to see that flag get raised.” His victories give him a platform to speak for those who can’t.
“The only way I can be their voice is by continuing to win,” he explained. “It’s all in God’s hands. God has a plan for everything.” Even as he prepares for his fight, his thoughts remain with those in Palestine.
Carrying the flag isn’t just symbolic; it’s a statement. Muhammad is determined to represent Palestine on the world stage. “If you’re human, you want to know what’s going on there,” he emphasized. “If you ignore it, you’re not really human.”
Many are afraid to speak up, fearing repercussions. But Muhammad believes there should be no consequences for being human.