Belal Muhammad denies steroid use amid accusations following his championship breakthrough.
Belal Muhammad has established himself as one of the most resilient and determined fighters in the UFC’s welterweight division.
Born on July 9, 1988, to Palestinian parents in Chicago, Illinois, Muhammad has become a source of pride for both American and Palestinian MMA fans.
His journey to the top began in 2012 when he started competing professionally, quickly building an impressive record that caught the attention of major promotions.
After capturing the Titan Fighting Championships Welterweight title with a TKO victory over Steve Carl and amassing a perfect 9-0 record, Muhammad signed with the UFC in 2016.
Despite a debut loss to Alan Jouban, he bounced back impressively, showcasing his evolving skill set and unwavering determination.
Muhammad steadily climbed the welterweight rankings through consistent performances against high-level opponents like Demian Maia, Stephen Thompson, and Vicente Luque.
His career reached its pinnacle on July 27, 2024, at UFC 304, when he defeated Leon Edwards via unanimous decision to claim the UFC Welterweight Championship.
This victory represented the culmination of years of perseverance and dedication to his craft, silencing critics who had previously labeled him a “boring” fighter.
Belal Muhammad Hit With Steroid Accusations
Following his championship victory against Leon Edwards, Belal Muhammad has faced accusations regarding performance-enhancing drug use.
These allegations gained traction after former welterweight title challenger Colby Covington publicly claimed Muhammad was “obviously on the right steroids” and “doing the right cycles” in an interview.
Covington dismissed Muhammad’s championship victory as a “one night, lightning-in-a-bottle type performance.“
The accusations appear to stem from Muhammad’s noticeably improved physique and performance at UFC 304, where he displayed enhanced strength, cardio, and overall athleticism.
Some fans and critics found his physical transformation suspicious, particularly given his dominant performance against the previously formidable champion.
Belal Muhammad is in some serious shape ahead of his first UFC title fight this weekend👀
— FIGHT SPORTS (@FIGHTSPORTS) July 25, 2024
Muhammad challenges Leon Edwards for Welterweight Gold at UFC 304 Saturday🔥 pic.twitter.com/eQtw1hGRyg
Muhammad has previously positioned himself as an advocate for clean competition.
In a 2018 interview, he explicitly contrasted himself with other fighters, stating:
“Everybody’s out here looking for the next best supplement, what’s the right steroid to take. Me, I’m getting my strength from my spirituality. From God.”
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This statement now faces renewed scrutiny in light of the recent allegations.
It’s worth noting that Muhammad has been subject to the UFC’s rigorous anti-doping program administered by USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) throughout his career.
In a 2016 interview following an opponent’s doping violation, Muhammad emphasized his caution regarding supplements:
“Before I take anything, I don’t care if it’s a Flintstone vitamin, I ask if it’s good or not.”
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Muhammad attributes his improved performance to his training methods, particularly his work with former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and the renowned Dagestani training camp.
In an interview with Joe Rogan, Muhammad detailed the intense training regimen and disciplined approach that characterizes this camp, which may explain his enhanced physicality and performance.
As Muhammad prepares to defend his title against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 on May 10, 2025, the steroid allegations remain unsubstantiated claims rather than proven violations.
No official USADA violations have been reported regarding Muhammad’s drug tests.
The champion continues to focus on his upcoming title defense while these accusations linger in the background of his historic championship reign.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Belal Muhammad studied to become a lawyer and graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
- He is an outspoken supporter of Palestine and has denounced the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis while also condemning antisemitism.
- On June 1, 2020, businesses owned by Muhammad’s father and cousins in Chicago were looted and destroyed as a result of the George Floyd unrest.
