Belal Muhammad asks Dana White to correct absence of Palestine flag from UFC fight profile: “I’m hoping that the UFC fixes this…”

UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad wants his Palestinian flag logo reinstated before UFC 315 headliner vs. Jack Della Maddalena.

Belal Muhammad asks Dana White to correct absence of Palestine flag from UFC fight profile: “I’m hoping that the UFC fixes this…”

Belal Muhammad would like his Palestinian flag logo reinstated before UFC 315 (Source: X/IMAGO)

UFC has been on a hard shuffle regarding UFC fighters and their countries’ representation. UFC welterweight champ, Belal Muhammad, has been on the receiving end of a censorship flub recently. “Remember The Name” returns in the headlining spot of the UFC 315 PPV event on May 10 at the Bell Centre.

UFC 170-pound champ Belal Muhammad is a Palestinian-American and fights out of Southside Chicago. A part of the PCRF (Palestine Children’s Relief Fund), Muhammad’s efforts often go viral. However, the absence of a flag logo on the official website recently stirred up a storm. Now, days after that, the fighter has addressed the matter.

People keep asking me, ‘Where’s your flag?’ I kept getting multiple messages from it, and I was assuming it was a mistake, but it’s still not addressed, …So I’ll address it and hope that Dana addresses it as well and fixes it, because Dana said he’s all about free speech. He’s all about people supporting who they want to support and not muting or silencing anybody. I’m hoping that the UFC fixes this issue and puts my flag next to my name…

Belal Muhammad on a video via X (@bullyb170)

Flags are displayed next to the names of all 21 other fighters competing alongside Muhammad at UFC 315. Two other fighters do not have flags among the dozens of fights listed on the promotion’s upcoming schedule: Ateba Gautier [Cameroon] and Ahmad Hassanzada [Afghanistan]. Both are pending pro debutants under the schedule. UFC instated the representation ban amid the Russia-Ukraine global war in 2022. However, the athletes’ representation and flags were resolved in 2023.

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Belal Muhammad remains the only case in current times. His deep ties to Palestine and thoughts on the war with Gaza have won many hearts and minds over the months. Hence, such censorship is hard to dumb down. That too, this close to UFC 315.

Belal Muhammad’s title reign hit a bump after UFC 310 pullout

UFC 170-pound champion Belal Muhammad won the undisputed gold in dominant fashion at UFC 304 last July. Muhammad was to make a maiden defense against 170-pound top seed Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310. However, he pulled out due to a bone infection in his foot.

Belal Muhammad had a whole other trajectory before finally landing UFC 315
Belal Muhammad had a whole other trajectory before finally landing UFC 315 (Source: X)

Muhammad was the recipient of a rare toe infection, osteomyelitis. It is an infection that focuses on the bone marrow and tissue of the affected area. Fever, pain, and swelling are symptoms common with osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis is complicated to treat but includes antibiotics, which are injected into his bloodstream to stop the infection from spreading.

Other than a lopsided defeat to Geoff Neal in 2019 and an NC, “Bully Belal” is on an 11-fight streak. UFC 304 has also bolstered his confidence to do more and stay active as a champion. While he took six weeks out to heal, Rakhmonov defeated Ian Garry to cement his status as the No. 1 ranked contender.

Belal Muhammad was more than eager to run it back at UFC 315 on May 10 in the UFC 315 headliner from Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. However, this time, “Nomad” pulled out due to injury. He now faces Jack Della Maddalena atop the bill of the card.

Related: Dana White activates ‘Canelo hands’ with surprising Belal Muhammad announcement