Belal Muhammad believes defeating Leon Edwards in Manchester was pivotal in proving critics wrong: "It was such a long road"
UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad recently sat down with Submission Radio on YouTube to discuss his recent title win over Leon Edwards at UFC 304 last July. The Palestinian-American fighter turned many heads as he bested the heavy favorite Edwards in front of a hostile crowd in Manchester, England.
'Remember The Name' was intent on silencing his critics as he dominated 'Rocky' en route to a unanimous decision win, erasing any doubt on who truly deserves to sit on the UFC's welterweight throne.
On his win over Edwards, Muhammad said (via Submission Radio on YouTube):
"I didn't leave no stone unturned. I worked harder than I ever worked for that fight. And to go in tere and dominate him in the way I dominated him, when a lot of people around the world never [gave] me a chance. And to prove a lot of people wrong and to prove my coaches and team right, that was the best part."
On the fact that he had to compile an eleven-fight unbeaten streak and beat five top-ten fighters before getting a title shot, Muhammad said:
"It was such a long road. So, that [last] two years was the hardest part because, you know, you're getting skipped over. You're getting tossed, getting skipped over. And then in my head I'm looking, what else do I got to do? I've beaten everybody. I'm basically fighting guys that are number one contenders. So I'm like, I'm a champion defending my belt every single one of these fights."
Watch the full interview here:
Belal Muhammad lauds his small team in Chicago, credits teammates for his success
Muhammad trains in a relatively small team, Chicago Fight Team, in Lyons, Illinois. The Palestinian-American champion claims that while the team doesn't have "50 UFC fighters" or other high-profile champions, he and his teammates get it done through hard work and a solid group effort.
Muhammad said (via Submission Radio on YouTube):
"Because we're a small team in Chicago...We're not the biggest name here...But we have a small family gym. And I got those people that are with me from the start that I've been with since high school...To be able to do everything with just us, and to see the road we all worked together. We've all been through the ups and downs together. And to enjoy the championship together was amazing."
Wins always feel better when you achieve and celebrate them with those who shed blood, sweat, and tears with you. Muhammad is a good man to credit his team and a remarkable champion to be this grateful to his teammates.