“We’ve talked about it and they’ve accepted it. Nothing is going to stop me from doing it. Belal Muhammad had a pretty strong stance about carrying the Palestinian colors on his shoulders at UFC 315. Yes, it’s true that the welterweight champion resided in Chicago. But his roots pulled him towards Palestine. Well, that’s the reason why he wanted to become the first ever Palestinian to claim a UFC title. This achievement didn’t just motivate the young champs from Palestine, but also showed them that there was a life waiting for them outside the unrest. As the war back home rages on, Muhammad’s stand for Palestine has only grown more important to him.

So today, we decided to shine some light on ‘Remember The Name’s origins, and how he embraced his roots during his training camp. Needless to say, this origin story and inclination towards his roots might play a huge role in his upcoming bout against Jack Della Maddalena. So without any further ado, let’s get right into it!

Belal Muhammad embraces Palestine and Ramadan during UFC 315 camp

Palestine is an Islamic nation, and without a doubt, they go through an entire month of fasting during Ramadan. And during this sacred month, people don’t even take a single gulp of water. And that’s something which Muhammad believed made him a lot stronger. In a conversation with the UFC for the UFC 315 Countdown, the welterweight champion said, “It’s getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. And I think that’s why, a lot of the time I get stronger during Ramadan. I know Jack’s not gonna do that. He’s drinking water after his practice. So, that just makes me work that much harder, push that much harder. And I’m not gonna break in the cage because I’m not pregnant in the practice room.” 

But come dinner time, after offering prayers to the Almighty, Muhammad sits together with his family and friends. In the video, the happy people seemed to be having traditional Palestinian maqluba, which likely brought ‘Remember The Name’ even closer to his roots. Maqluba itself is the greatest representation of family time. Laden with rice, vegetables, protein, and spices, it’s cooked in a single pot and then overturned for the family to dig up the gold. Can you ask for a better family-time activity? But Muhammad’s family had to take care of his health, as well. So, while the rest of the family and friends had the fried stuff, the welterweight champion was provided with the healthier version. And all thanks went to his mother. 

Weighing in on the blessings he received on Ramadan, Muhammad said, “Ramadan brings you closer to God and family, and friends. Me and my family, we like to have iftar dinners all together, every single night. With God, family, and real close friends and teammates, that’s all you need. They don’t really care if you win or lose. They just want you to be healthy. So, for me to have them all support me no matter what, you could achieve anything.” 

So, why exactly does Muhammad reside in Chicago? Does that mean he was born in America? Or was he born in Palestine, but moved to the USA later on? Let’s take a look at the welterweight champion’s story and find out all about his early life. 

Was Belal Muhammad born in Palestine? Nationality and early life

Muhammad was actually born in Chicago, Illinois, on 9th July 1988. However, his parents, Abdullah and Maha Muhammad, were Palestinian immigrants who hailed from Al-Bireh. Growing up in Chicago instilled a strong sense of combat in a young Muhammad. He once revealed, “Growing up on the Southwest Side of Chicago, nothing was ever given to me. Nothing was ever handed to me. I had to work for everything I had. My dad had to build his own business up. My brothers all built their own businesses up. From the start of my life, nothing was ever given to us. There is no silver spoon. I knew that being in the UFC, they weren’t going to hand me anything. I knew I would have to go through all the ranked fighters to get to the top.” 

And that’s exactly what he did! He tore through the defenses of the welterweight division and went on a 9-fight win streak before landing one final win against Leon Edwards at UFC 304, and claiming the welterweight belt. But he knew that the hardest part of a UFC career came when one got closer to the belt. He revealed that no one was ready to fight him, including ‘Rocky’ and Colby Covington. But now, the story was a bit different. He’s come a long way from the streets of Chicago to becoming a champion of the UFC with a record of 24-3.

Now, ‘Remember The Name’ is going to defend his championship title for the first time against Della Maddalena at UFC 315. Needless to say, the entire Palestine has stood by him in support against JDM. What are your thoughts on Belal Muhammad’s promise to carry the Palestinian flag at UFC 315? Will all that support from Palestine help him claim a win against Della Maddalena? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.