An eye poke ended his first go at the current champ. The second one will be an eye-opener with Belal Muhammad fighting for undisputed gold. Because this time, it’s more than just about the title. In the lead-up to UFC 304, the formidable Palestinian-American title challenger is ready. Muhammad will meet Leon Edwards in the main event.
On March 10, the Team Palestine 4 PCRF Nonprofit imported two children back to the States. Two-year-old Jood’s life changed forever on December 26th as he lost his mother in a bombing. Many remember him as the kid from the viral photo by Palestinian journalist Motaz Azaiza. Thirteen-year-old Ayham also suffered a fractured leg. Luckily, Belal Muhammad himself has been an active part of their transition so far.
We work for a charity — it’s called Palestinian Children Relief Fund…With what’s happening over there, we were able to bring a father and his son to America…three years old. He’s been here for about, six months now. He came over from Gaza…his house got bombed. His kneecap was shattered. And you see him walking with the limp…[tears up] And it’s heartbreaking cause there’s millions of kids like that.
Belal Muhammad via UFC 304 Countdown – Full Episode; Official YT Channel (@ufc)
With the Israeli military offense against the Palestinians, Muhammad has the ongoing conflict as an emotional driver. In May, he told MMA Junkie’s Farah Hannoun that he wants to put Palestine back on the map with a positive notion, becoming its first-ever champion. Now that Muhammad has a shot at gold, he sanctifies his efforts for such causes.
Belal Muhammad gets emotional speaking about a two-year-old child from Gaza whom he helped bring over to America after his house was struck by a tank shell, killing his mother and fracturing his right leg 😢
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He and Leon Edwards have plenty of rivalry in the build-up, mocking each other’s mettle. However, this fight is more than just about him now. Fight fans often see the likes of Sean Strickland dumbing down him living in America and calling attention to Palestine. Nevertheless, this is something close to his heart. To that end, he wants his country at the forefront of some positive attention at UFC 304.
Belal Muhammad wants his flag raised with the title, give voice to his people
Breaking the Silence is an Israeli NGO that collects testimonies from active operators in the West Bank and Gaza. It has allegedly published several firsthand accounts of soldiers ordered by their superiors to treat civilian areas as combat zones. Such is the nature of this global conflict, one in which Belal Muhammad has openly stated that kids are involved. His “50 percent of Gaza is kids” has become a viral war cry now.
Belal Muhammad gears up for UFC 304 title showdown with Leon Edwards (Source: es.agfight.com/IMAGO)For that purpose, ‘Remember the Name’ is putting in all the stops, even training in a rigorous pre-fight camp as part of the infamous Team Khabib. At the very top of the division, Muhammad consequently sees this as a defining moment not just for him but for his country as well. Speaking exclusively to Arab News, the 36-year-old reflected on his prepping and enthusiasm to square off again with the champion.
That [Palestinian heritage] means everything to me, I wake up every day knowing I’m fighting for something bigger — to have my flag raised with the title, to give my people a voice…I can’t sleep. I can’t take any days off. I can’t be soft, because these people are hard. They push me every day to work harder. I’ve never seen a stronger people in my life.
Belal Muhammad in an Arab News Exclusive (@ArabNewsSport); H/T: Aisha Fareed
Muhammad addressed his Palestinian fans directly. He expressed his solidarity and admiration for the upkeep of hope even in trying times. As such, battling and winning with Leon ‘Rocky’ Edwards, he wants to give his people something positive to talk about after the Manchester pay-per-view headliner. Come UFC 304, he’d be all ready for the title.
