Belal Muhammad has all the time represented Palestine at any time when he competes within the UFC, however now he’s hoping the promotion can rectify an issue associated to his profile on the corporate web site.
Whereas athletes on the UFC’s web site function flags from their dwelling nations subsequent to their names, it was dropped at Muhammad’s consideration that his was left clean. On Thursday, the reigning UFC welterweight champion despatched out a plea to UFC CEO Dana White to repair that drawback, particularly after he championed permitting fighters to as soon as once more carry flags to the octagon.
“Folks hold asking me, ‘The place’s your flag?’ I saved getting a number of messages from it, and I used to be simply assuming it was a mistake, however it’s nonetheless not addressed,” Muhammad stated on a video posted to Twitter. “So I’ll handle it and hope that Dana addresses it as effectively and fixes it. As a result of Dana stated he’s all about free speech, he’s all about individuals supporting who they wish to assist and never muting or silencing anyone.
“I’m hoping that the UFC fixes this problem and places my flag subsequent to my identify so the those who I symbolize, the those who I combat for, and the those who I prepare for will see their flag subsequent to their champion’s identify.”
Muhammad, who was born in america to Palestinian mother and father, has been an outspoken advocate supporting the individuals affected by the continuing conflict in Gaza. He’s additionally represented Palestine all through his UFC profession, carrying the flag to the cage in previous fights.
In truth, Muhammad beforehand informed MMA Combating that he was genuinely excited to hold the Palestinian flag to the octagon with him for his first title protection, which is now set for UFC 315 in Might when he faces Jack Della Maddalena.
“For me to have the ability to carry that flag with the belt, to be the champion, it simply provides them one thing to be happy with,” Muhammad stated. “One thing they’ll level at and say ‘that’s my flag! That’s my countryman! That’s my man!’ It simply provides these children one thing larger to dream about.”
When he claimed the title this previous July with a dominant victory over Leon Edwards in England, Muhammad was overwhelmed by movies and pictures he obtained from individuals in Palestine celebrating his win.
That solely strengthened his resolve to proceed representing Palestine at any time when he has the chance however significantly when he’s competing on the largest stage in fight sports activities within the UFC.
“There was actually a refugee camp that had the fights on,” Muhammad stated. “They despatched me a video of it and all the youngsters cheering it and watching it whereas they had been there. These are the true heroes. These are the blokes that I do it for. To get a cheer, to get a smile from considered one of these children, to have them look as much as me after I’m trying as much as them. They’re the strongest individuals on the planet, they’re probably the most resilient individuals on the planet.
“To see the stuff that they’re going by and the stuff that they’re nonetheless grateful for. They’re so grateful simply to be alive on a regular basis. They’re nonetheless grateful to have the ability to combat and nonetheless have the ability to reside after I’m sitting there, I simply fought 25 minutes. It’s nothing. They’re combating to be alive. They’re combating on a regular basis to do that factor that we take without any consideration right here in America.”
Replace: Muhammad says the flag will likely be restored to his profile.
