Belal Muhammad’s rise has been one of grit, grind, and a relentless will to prove doubters wrong. From a long-overlooked contender to becoming the undisputed welterweight king, the Chicago native made believers out of critics with his dominant win over Leon Edwards at UFC 304. But just as UFC 315 and his first title defense loom, the tide threatens to turn. Why?

In a clip shared on Instagram by ‘Soups MMA Preview’, the caption asked, “Did Belal just confirm on ‘UFC Countdown’ he was baked when he beat Leon Edwards???”. The clip starts off with Muhammad asserting, “Show all the people that say I can’t be champion, I won’t be champion, that I am gonna be champion.” It then transitions into the pre-fight moment between Muhammad and his coach, who implores him to stay sharp while the UFC welterweight responds with what sounds like:

“I’m too high for this…” And just like that, the internet, quick as ever, began whispering about a possible scandal! But here’s the twist:

Cannabis isn’t even banned in the UFC anymore. As of December 31, 2023, marijuana was officially removed from the UFC’s anti-doping list. Their press release had stated: “The criteria for prohibited substances will be modeled after WADA’s In and Out of Competition programs with modifications based on historical findings (i.e. marijuana removed from the prohibited list).” However, this wasn’t a random decision.

UFC partnered with health experts, gathered feedback from athletes, and aligned their policies closer to organizations like the NBA and MLB, both of which had already loosened their cannabis stance. “UFC’s goal for the Anti-Doping Policy is to be the best, most effective, and most progressive anti-doping program in all of professional sports,” UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell had stated back then.

“UFC is proud of the advancements we have made with our anti-doping program over the past eight years, and we will continue to maintain an independently administered drug-testing program that ensures all UFC athletes are competing under fair and equal circumstances. With this new iteration of the program, UFC has once again raised the bar for health and safety in combat sports.” 

This change was a big one. Remember how the Nevada State Athletic Commission had suspended Nick Diaz for five years in 2016 because of his third marijuana-related offense in his career. In January 2016, the ban was reduced to 18 months, yet the damage was already done. He struggled to make a comeback in 2021 against Robbie Lawler, and when he finally did, Diaz looked like a ghost of his former self.

Coming back to Belal Muhammad, his stating he was too high resulted in no failed drug test, no suspension, and no official red flags before or after his clash with Leon Edwards. Yet, the video, featuring his coach urging him to stay sharp and Muhammad joking about being high, has ignited online suspicion. But perception is powerful. With UFC 315 approaching fast, every smirk, phrase, or stutter is being dissected under a microscope. Here’s a look at what the fans had to say!

Fans rally behind Belal Muhammad in a rare sight as ‘misheard’ moment leads to scrutiny ahead of UFC 315

One fan wrote, “I will remember the name now, he gained a fan.” The UFC welterweight champion has often found himself being criticized for his relentless, grinding style of fighting that isn’t exactly a draw for casual viewers. An 80% decision rate in his UFC career hasn’t helped his case much either, but now? Even if the clip might be just a misunderstanding, the fans seem to be gravitating towards his chill persona!

Another fan added, “Worked too hard for this….. Clean your ears.” as they weren’t buying into the scandal for even a moment. They claim that Belal Muhammad actually said something else, which sounded similar to “I’m too high for this”, and shut down the controversy before it even began.

“Please don’t make this guy likeable. PLEASE,” a fan joked. With sarcasm laced with reluctant admiration, they seemed torn. Maybe they were once among the doubters, but now even they couldn’t resist the charm hiding beneath the pressure-heavy style of ‘Remember the Name’!

“That’s a load of bulls—- that would have pop up in his system drug testing in the UFC is so strict,” one fan argued. They weren’t buying the theory. Pointing to the UFC’s notoriously tough testing standards, this fan believed the entire issue would’ve been dead on arrival if anything illicit had actually happened. After all, Nick Diaz’s affinity for the herb has only added to his fan base in the MMA world.

Another social media user reminded, “yall don’t understand how testing works, they test fighters right after the fight.” Clear and informative, this fan tried to bring context into the conversation. They reminded others that there are procedures in place, and no failed test means no scandal. Just a hilarious, misheard clip that has now caused a frenzy online!

In the end, the video may have sparked a fire, but there’s no smoke where it counts, no failed test, no suspension, no rules broken. Just a misunderstood moment amplified by the internet. Still, perception shapes legacy. And in the lead-up to UFC 315, Belal Muhammad isn’t just defending a title, he’s defending the story behind it.

What happens next? Does this clip become just another meme, or will it hang over his reign like an unwelcome shadow? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!