Leon Edwards, the reigning welterweight champion, loses to a mixed martial arts competitor.
Belal Muhammad, who defeated English champion Leon Edwards to take the welterweight title, has created history by being the first fighter of Palestinian descent to win a UFC championship.
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| Belal Muhammad UFC |
The 36-year-old, a Chicago-born American fighter who is the offspring of two Palestinian immigrants, won the UFC 304 math on Saturday via five rounds of unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46).
With his face covered in blood, Muhammad (24-3) fell to his knees just moments after winning his 11th consecutive fight without losing and with the title belt encircling his waist. Since 2019, he has not lost.
Muhammad was cited prior to his battle in Manchester, England, as stating, "It's not just about myself, it's about them [Palestinians and the people in Gaza]."
He has also criticised the Israeli war on Gaza and proudly waved the Palestinian flag to promote the match on Saturday.
"Yes, we are here."
Using the Arab Idol winner Mohammed Assaf's song "Dammi Falesteeni" (My Blood is Palestine) as his walkout song, Muhammad has continuously emphasized his Palestinian heritage.
News sources from 2021 cited Muhammad as stating that, as a well-known fighter, he had "a voice for the voiceless."
Muhammad was cited prior to his battle in Manchester, England, as stating, "It's not just about myself, it's about them [Palestinians and the people in Gaza]."
He has also criticised the Israeli war on Gaza and proudly waved the Palestinian flag to promote the match on Saturday.
"Yes, we are here."
Using the Arab Idol winner Mohammed Assaf's song "Dammi Falesteeni" (My Blood is Palestine) as his walkout song, Muhammad has continuously emphasized his Palestinian heritage.
News sources from 2021 cited Muhammad as stating that, as a well-known fighter, he had "a voice for the voiceless."
There aren't many athletes from Palestine who can represent their country on a stage or platform. And I have to raise that flag higher than ever right now, especially in these trying circumstances. must demonstrate to the outside world that we are a nation, that actual people live there, and that we really exist.
"I now have a voice for those without one, for those the world would like you forget about. I will thus do everything in my power to keep drawing attention to that, uplifting their spirits, and winning their hearts.
"I now have a voice for those without one, for those the world would like you forget about. I will thus do everything in my power to keep drawing attention to that, uplifting their spirits, and winning their hearts.
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