Belal Muhammad, the UFC welterweight champ, took to social media on March 6, 2025, demanding the UFC add a Palestine flag to his website profile ahead of UFC 315.
Fans flagged the omission every other fighter at the May 10 event sports a flag, prompting the Belal Muhammad Flag plea. “Dana White’s all about free speech, let’s see it,” Muhammad urged, spotlighting a fix for his 24-3 record page.
“People keep asking, ‘Where’s your flag?’” Muhammad posted. “I thought it was a glitch, but it’s still not up.” With deep Palestinian roots, the Chicago-born fighter added, “I fight for my people, put the flag up so they’re seen.” His vocal support for Palestine, amid Gaza’s war, fuels the push. At 37, he’s set to defend his title against Jack Della Maddalena (17-2) in Montreal, headlining UFC 315.
Will Mr. "free speech" @danawhite kowtow to @realDonaldTrump and keep censoring Palestine, or will he do the right thing?
Belal Muhammad asks Dana White to rectify Palestine flag absence from UFC profile https://t.co/qFYHjFNbYf
— Anthony Fenton (@anthonyfenton) March 7, 2025
The UFC ditched flags in 2022 after Russia-Ukraine tensions but brought them back in October 2023. Dana White shrugged off critics: “Flags hurt your feelings? Too bad.” Yet, unlike 21 peers at UFC 315, Muhammad’s profile stays bare, alongside debutants Ateba Gautier and Ahmad Hassanzada. The Belal Muhammad Flag row tests White’s stance—will it budge?
The Belal Muhammad Flag spat blends MMA grit with identity fans rally as he fights for more than a belt.