In the intense world of UFC welterweight contenders, narratives often unfold in unexpected ways. Belal Muhammad, once on a potential collision course with Khamzat Chimaev, has now found an unexpected camaraderie with his fellow fighter, all thanks to a shared concern for the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
Muhammad, a proud Palestinian-American, has consistently used his platform to express support for his homeland. Throughout his career, the octagon has witnessed him proudly bearing the Palestinian flag, a symbolic gesture reflecting his deep-rooted connection to his heritage.
Amidst the escalating tensions between Israel and Hamas last October, Muhammad extended his support to the Palestinians caught in the crossfire, advocating for a ceasefire. Interestingly, he discovered an ally in Chimaev, who also publicly expressed solidarity with Palestine. This shared stance on a humanitarian issue paved the way for an unexpected friendship.
Speaking about the bond that formed, Muhammad shared, “For me, it was obviously huge that he was posting about Palestine. That’s my brother now. Like, if you’re supporting my people, we’re one. It’s all about being a Muslim, and when one Muslim’s in pain, one Muslim’s hurting, you should be feeling the same pain, feeling the same hurt. I feel like we’ve got connected off of that.”
Belal Muhammad and Khamzat Chimaev’s Shared Stance on Palestine
The narrative took an intriguing turn last October when Muhammad, fresh from a victory over Sean Brady at UFC 280, called for a showdown with Chimaev. Unfazed by weight class nuances, Muhammad declared, “I’ll fight you at 179.8. I don’t care about weight. For me, I want to fight the best guys in the world.”
This callout came on the heels of Chimaev’s weight struggles, missing weight for a scheduled welterweight bout against Nate Diaz. UFC 279 witnessed a last-minute shuffle, turning the bout into a catchweight contest against Kevin Holland. However, Chimaev’s trajectory appears to be steering towards the middleweight division, making a face-off with Muhammad less plausible today.
Remarkably, the two fighters took to Instagram this past October, sharing images proudly displaying the Palestinian flag. In doing so, they effectively put an end to any desire for a cage confrontation.
As Muhammad gears up to serve as the backup for the welterweight title clash between Leon Edwards and Colby Covington at UFC 296, he remains hopeful of securing a title fight in 2024, alongside Chimaev. Expressing his support for Chimaev’s journey, Muhammad stated, “I’m Team Khamzat. I hope he gets the 185-pound title. I hope he gets the title shot, and inshallah, next year, it’ll be me at 170 champion, Islam at 155 champion, and Khamzat at 185 champion. We’ll be taking over.”
In the ever-evolving landscape of combat sports, this unexpected alliance between Belal Muhammad and Khamzat Chimaev serves as a testament to the unique connections forged beyond the octagon. As they navigate their individual paths, the bond they share sheds light on the human side of a sport often dominated by fierce competition.
