Former champion challenges Sean Strickland after anti-Muslim comments: 'I'll make him bleed'

Strickland celebrates his UFC victory. Photo: Reproduction/X/UFC

Sean Strickland experienced one of the most significant moments of his career last Saturday (9) when he defeated Khamzat Chimaev and returned to the top of the middleweight division (up to 83,9 kg). With a great rivalry nurtured by the Chechen, the American took advantage of the interview inside the octagon to apologize for the offensive statements to the Islamic and Chechen people before the fight. However, the apology seems not to have had the desired effect on Belal Muhammad . The former welterweight champion (up to 77,1 kg) went public last Tuesday (12) to show his contempt for his rival in a video published on YouTube.

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According to Muhammad, Strickland's apologies are not sincere. Furthermore, he also stated that he is eager for the opportunity to test his strength against the current champion. Despite this desire, the Palestinian has never competed in the middleweight division throughout his 30 professional fights.

“Even if the clown apologized, saying, ‘I apologized to my Muslim fans, I was just promoting a fight.’ No, it’s not promoting a fight when you’re talking about religion. He always plays this role of saying stupid things and then, ‘I love this guy, this guy is the best,’ blah blah. When you talk about religion, you talk about family, it hits you differently. I hope one day I get in the octagon with this clown before it’s all said and done and just make him bleed,” he declared.

Belal Muhammad said there's no taking back what Sean Strickland said about Khamzat Chimaev 😬

“Even though the clown apologized, nah, it's not promoting the fight when you talk about religion.

I hope to one day step into the cage with that clown and just make him bleed.” pic.twitter.com/KkqTTUjOqB

— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) May 13, 2026

Before Strickland, Muhammad will face off against a Brazilian.

Belal Muhammad and Gabriel Marretinha will face each other at UFC Vegas 118.

Coming off losses to Jack Della Maddalena and Ian Garry , Belal Muhammad will return to the octagon this June against Brazilian Gabriel Marretinha . Much younger than the former champion, the Brasilia native hasn't lost since November 2023. In total, he has 19 wins and only one loss as a professional, and is ranked 11th in the welterweight division (up to 77,1 kg).

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