Create a free account to unlock this article! Get Started Already a subscriber? Log In

After alternating wins and losses to open his UFC run, Belal Muhammad recently scored the biggest win of his young career and has now become a welterweight on the come up.



With just one week left before the scheduled event, Muhammad took a fight with top prospect Randy Brown in his backyard of Brooklyn, New York at UFC 208. The week and everything it entailed was a whirlwind for Muhammad. The experience came and went so fast that the scrap barely registered in his mind, so much so that someone might have to remind him that he threw down just a few short weeks ago.



"It was really crazy," Muhammad said. "It doesn't even feel like I fought. I didn't have to go through that whole process of a six week long camp, watching tape and figuring out my opponent. For this fight I was more relaxed. This was one where I was just going in there and having fun."



As the main event of the FOX Sports 1 portion of the UFC 208 programming, Muhammad stepped up in a big way in a big spot with a clutch performance, as he scored a unanimous decision victory over Brown. The fact that his career highlight was seen by millions of eyeballs on network television wasn't lost on the former Titan FC welterweight champion. This performance will most definitely have fans remembering his name.



"It feels good to know that people want to watch me fight," Muhammad said. "I want to be the guy that when I'm on the card people want to tune in and watch me fight. It feels good to know I had a lot of eyes on me.



"I want to be one of those fighters that you always remember. I want to be one of those guys that when you see me fight you will remember it. I want to be the guy that you want to go look up my past fights after you watch me. I want to be remembered in this sport for a long time."



Muhammad is keenly aware that being entertaining and putting on a show for the fans inside and outside of the Octagon can lead to opportunities otherwise not offered in this sometimes entertainment-first sport. The Hollywood heavy new ownership coupled with the growing reach of UFC athletes in outside endeavors, Muhammad fully intends to do everything in his power to stay active and keep the fans engaged in his every move.



"This sport has shifted more toward entertainment," Muhammad said. "You need to gain fans. You need to be a needle mover. You need fans to have an interest in you in order to get those big money fights. If people don't want to watch you the UFC won't book you. I want to be that guy that is always exciting. I want to be the guy that fans always want to see and a guy that stays in the limelight."



As Muhammad aspires to secure legendary status in the fight game, the Chicago-born scrapper has already become a role model for Palestinian and Muslim Americans. Although not an overly political figure, Muhammad plans to use his religious beliefs and platform as a professional athlete to break down barriers and show the world that he comes from a religion of peace.



"At first I didn't realize how big of a deal it was to be a Muslim fighter in the UFC," Muhammad said. "Then I started getting messages from people all around the world saying that I was a role model and inspiration to their children. You don't see any Muslim fighters on the big stage of the UFC or even in other major sports like the NBA or MLB. It's an honor and I will take full advantage of it.



"So much of the mainstream media puts Muslims in a negative light. People assume we are crazy or that we just do horrible things. If you actually meet a real Muslim you will see it's all about peace, love and respect. I want to be that type of guy that brings that truth into the limelight. I want to bring that to the public eye. I want to show people that all Muslims aren't like that."