Belal Muhammad on Faith, Palestine, and the UFC - Fight Back Ep. 32
Belal Muhammad stopped by the Fight Back podcast studio in Vegas to talk about his recent fights, his heritage, what's happening in Palestine, pressures of being a fighter, his faith, mental prep, and much more. Belal Muhammad (born July 9, 1988) is an American professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is the current UFC Welterweight Champion. He is currently #5 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings. 00:00 Intro 01:52 The Importance of Wrestling in MMA 02:46 Dealing with Injuries and Setbacks 04:55 Analyzing Recent Fights 07:24 Palestinian Heritage and UFC Bias 08:52 Humanitarian Crisis in Palestine 24:15 The Role of Religion and Faith 32:56 Training and Brotherhood in MMA 36:31 Reflecting on a Superstar's Legacy 36:51 Jon Jones and the Fear of Aspinall 38:16 The Importance of Wrestling in MMA 40:48 Mental Challenges and Fight Week 41:45 The Pressure of Being a Fighter 53:32 Training and Discipline During Ramadan 55:07 The Role of Faith and Prayer in Fighting 59:01 The Importance of Continuous Improvement 01:06:43 The Value of Diverse Training Partners 01:08:35 Defensive Strategies in MMA 01:09:23 Training and Game Planning 01:10:46 The Importance of Sparring 01:12:09 Mental Preparation and Fight Week 01:19:40 Conor McGregor's Downfall 01:24:29 Social Media and Promotion in MMA 01:26:53 Controversial Opinions and Feuds 01:36:45 Final Thoughts, Social Media, Wrap Up