How Did Belal Muhammad Lose His Belt?

Belal Muhammad reached the biggest milestone of his career in 2024 when he became the UFC Welterweight Champion. But less than a year later, he lost the belt in a tough and emotional defeat. Fans still ask: How did Belal Muhammad lose his title? What went wrong?

Here’s the full story.

Belal Muhammad Became Champion in 2024

Belal Muhammad captured the UFC Welterweight Championship in July 2024 after defeating Leon Edwards by unanimous decision. It was the peak of a long, consistent climb where he outworked, outsmarted, and outperformed top contenders for years.

But the moment he became champion, new challenges began — and those challenges eventually played a role in how he lost the belt.

A Delayed Title Defense Changed His Momentum

Most champions defend their belt within a few months, but Belal’s first defense was delayed.

Why?

He developed a serious bone infection in his foot, which forced him to withdraw from his originally scheduled defense. That setback slowed down his momentum and kept him out of action longer than expected. While injuries are part of MMA, long layoffs can affect timing, sharpness, and rhythm — especially for champions who rely heavily on pressure and conditioning.

This delay set the stage for a difficult comeback.

The Night He Lost His Belt: UFC 315

Belal Muhammad finally returned to the Octagon on May 10, 2025, to defend his title against rising star Jack Della Maddalena. In a five-round battle, Belal lost the belt via unanimous decision.

The scorecards were close on some rounds, but the overall performance went in Della Maddalena’s favor.

Here’s what happened that night — and why Belal couldn’t hold on to the belt.

1. He Strayed from His Strengths

Belal’s success was always built on:

• Strong wrestling

• Relentless pressure

• High fight IQ

• Smart pacing

But in this fight, he tried to focus more on striking than wrestling. Instead of consistently forcing grappling exchanges, he allowed the fight to become a kickboxing match — which played into Della Maddalena’s strengths.

Belal later admitted he drifted away from the original game plan.

In championship-level MMA, small strategic mistakes become big problems.

2. His Takedowns Didn’t Work

When Belal did try to wrestle, he struggled to land clean takedowns. Della Maddalena defended well, used strong hips and balance, and forced Belal to stay on the feet.

Once Belal realized the takedowns weren’t working consistently, he had to rely almost fully on striking — and that shifted momentum toward the challenger.

3. He Took a Lot of Damage

Throughout the fight, Belal absorbed heavy punches and combinations. By the championship rounds, his face showed visible damage:

• A badly swollen eye

• A broken or cracked nose

• A split lip

• Facial swelling that affected his defense

Judges notice visible damage, and in close rounds, it matters. Della Maddalena landed the cleaner, more damaging shots, which helped him secure the decision.

4. Long Layoff + Injuries = Timing Issues

Belal came into the fight after a long break due to his foot infection. Ring rust is real — especially for a pressure-based fighter who relies on rhythm, quick reactions, and constant movement.

Meanwhile, Della Maddalena entered the fight with:

• Better recent activity

• Strong momentum

• A sharp, confident striking game

Both fighters were skilled, but one had recent reps, and the other didn’t.

What This Loss Means for Belal Muhammad

Losing the belt in your first defense is tough, but it doesn’t erase the achievement of becoming champion. Many fighters become champions after losing their first belt — because setbacks force adjustments.

For Belal, here’s what the loss means:

He needs to return to his strengths

His pressure, cardio, and wrestling-heavy approach built his streak. Going away from that cost him the belt.

He can still climb back

Belal has reinvented himself before. With a solid win or two, he can be right back in title talks.

The division is evolving

New contenders are rising, and Belal will need to adapt his strategy to stay among the elite.

Final Answer: How Did Belal Muhammad Lose His Belt?

Belal Muhammad lost his UFC Welterweight Championship because:

• He drifted away from his wrestling-based game plan

• His takedowns were shut down

• Jack Della Maddalena out-struck him and caused more damage

• A long layoff hurt Belal’s timing and momentum

It wasn’t one mistake — it was a combination of strategy, activity level, and execution on fight night.

Belal’s story isn’t over. Many champions lose once, rebuild, and come back stronger. His next move will determine whether he stays a top contender or begins the next chapter of his career.