UFC welterweight fighter Belal Muhammad has confirmed he will carry the Palestinian flag with him as he makes his walk to the octagon for his title defense at UFC 315 in Montreal on May 10.
Although he has previously used the flag in his walkouts, there was some uncertainty regarding its use for the upcoming fight. This followed a brief period where the flag was reportedly removed from his official UFC fighter profile. However, the flag was later reinstated, with Muhammad stating the UFC clarified it was simply an error that was quickly corrected.
Speaking to MMA Fighting, Muhammad was unequivocal about his plan. “Yeah, 100 percent,” he stated. “We’ve talked about it and they’ve accepted it. Nothing is going to stop me from doing it.”
Muhammad, whose family originates from Palestine, has been a vocal advocate concerning the ongoing situation in the region since the conflict intensified. He has actively organized fundraising efforts and utilized his interviews and social media presence to show solidarity with Palestine.
He intends to continue these efforts in the days leading up to his highly anticipated bout against Jack Della Maddalena.
Muhammad described the emotional toll of the situation. “It’s hard, especially right now,” he said. “It’s been over two years now where they’re dying, they’re starving, the people over there are in so much pain. The world’s just watching it. The world’s just coming up with excuses for it. It’s wild.”
While defending his UFC title is a major career milestone, Muhammad emphasized that his efforts are rooted in something more significant. He highlighted recent reports indicating that residents in the Gaza Strip have faced severe shortages, with no essential supplies like medicine, fuel, or food having entered the area for the past 60 days.
Despite the challenging conditions faced by the people in Palestine, Muhammad previously revealed that he received messages of support and congratulations from them after securing his UFC title last July. This support has significantly boosted his motivation as he prepares for the title fight at UFC 315.
“For me, it just makes me want to work that much harder for them,” Muhammad explained. “It makes me go to the gym, run that extra mile, lift that extra weight. Because I can’t lose. There’s no way I’m going to let the people see me not get my hand raised.” He sees his performance as a symbol of hope for them. “When they see me fight that day, they’re going to see that flag get raised. When they see me win that day, they’re going to see that flag get raised. They’re going to see me get on the mic and talk about them. They’re going to see me get on the mic and be a voice for them.” He firmly believes his continued success is crucial for this advocacy. “The only way I can be their voice is by continuing to win.” He concluded by expressing faith in divine guidance, stating, “I just have to keep continuing to work, keep continuing to push it and it’s all in god’s hands. God has a plan for everything and I’m hoping this finally comes to an end soon.”
Despite the intense focus required for his upcoming fight, Muhammad stated that the welfare of the people in Palestine remains constantly on his mind. This is why he dedicates considerable time and energy to raising awareness about the situation there, alongside promoting his own highly anticipated return on May 10.
This deep connection and commitment are key reasons why Muhammad was so determined to carry the Palestinian flag with him to the octagon – ensuring he can continue to represent the people of Palestine on the largest possible global stage.
He shared the impact of his actions. “Like I said, I’ve just been getting so many messages, people just wanting to know what’s happening there because they see me carrying that flag and what it means and what it means to me,” Muhammad said. He posed a challenge to basic human empathy. “If you’re human, you want to know what’s going on there. If you’re human and you see it and you ignore it, you’re not really human. You don’t have a soul. If you can see kids starving, if you see kids dying, if you see all their suffering and you just turn your head away, look at yourself in the mirror and really ask yourself: What would you do if those people were from a different country? What would I do if those people weren’t Arab? What would I do if those people weren’t this color?”
Muhammad also commented on the reluctance of many to speak out. “Just so many people out here that are afraid to speak up, afraid to say something, afraid to do anything because they’re afraid of the consequences.” He concluded with a powerful statement emphasizing the importance of standing up for humanity: “There shouldn’t be consequences for being human.”
