Belal Muhammad’s journey to a UFC welterweight title shot has been a testament to perseverance and loyalty to his roots in Chicago. As he steps into enemy territory for UFC 304’s main event against Birmingham’s Leon Edwards, Muhammad remains undeterred, embracing the challenges and pride that come with fighting out of his hometown.
When Bruce Buffer announces Muhammad’s name, it will be accompanied by the pride of representing Chicago, Illinois. Since February 2017, Muhammad has lost just once, amassing a 10-fight unbeaten streak leading up to his rematch with Edwards. Training out of Chicago’s Valle Flow Striking has been a cornerstone of his journey.
“I definitely take pride in staying local, staying with my team here,” Muhammad shared in an interview. “We're a small gym, but I came from a small coach, Louis Taylor, who always believed in building up the guys around him.”
Muhammad’s commitment to his gym is evident, with lightweight prospect Ignacio Bahamondes, Charles Radtke, and undefeated welterweight Michael Morales among his training partners. Despite opportunities to train at larger gyms, Muhammad values the bond and support from his local team.
“They all want to protect me,” Muhammad said. “They’re true teammates that I want. I have a family here. These are guys I’ll keep in touch with even after fighting is done.”
This sense of family is why Muhammad welcomed Morales into his gym, seeing it as an opportunity for mutual growth. “He just fit right in,” Muhammad said. “Iron sharpens iron. We're all going to make each other better.”
After his last fight, a decision win over Gilbert Burns in May 2023, Muhammad faced a challenging wait for his title shot. While Edwards defended his belt against Covington, Muhammad stayed relevant by making appearances at UFC events and engaging with fans.
Now, after months of preparation, Muhammad is ready to face Edwards. Their first matchup ended in a No Contest due to an accidental eye poke in 2021, but Muhammad has since sharpened his gameplan.
As Muhammad steps into the octagon in Manchester, England, he carries the support of his Chicago team and the confidence in his strategy. Both Muhammad and Edwards have remained loyal to their training roots, setting the stage for an intense showdown.
Don't miss UFC 304: Edwards vs Muhammad 2, live from Co-Op Live in Manchester, England. Prelims start at 8pm ET/5pm PT, with the main card live on PPV at 10pm ET/7pm PT.