UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad knows what it’s like to go through a training camp during Ramadan.
Muhammad (24-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) most recently trained through Ramadan for a fight when he took on Gilbert Burns at UFC 288 in May 2023. He won the five-round fight by unanimous decision to become No. 1 contender.
As Ramadan approaches in the first day of March, Muhammad will this time take the month to reflect then gear up for his expected title defense against Shavkat Rakhmonov.
“March is Ramadan, so I have the whole month of Ramadan for myself and then training in April, then fighting in May would be perfect,” Muhammad told MMA Junkie Radio.
Muhammad explains why he no longer feels the need to fight during Ramadan.
“In the past, I think it was more so when you’re chasing the belt, when you’re trying to get there, you’d do anything possible to get to that point,” Muhammad said. “So, I’m always going to say yes. For me now, it’s like if I have a choice, obviously I would rather not fight during Ramadan. It’s not easy. It’s hard.”
Now, Magomed Ankalaev will have to compete during Ramadan for his shot at UFC gold when he challenges light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira March 8 in the UFC 313 headliner.
Muhammad thinks Ankalaev will be fine.
“It’s one of the biggest mental strengths that I gain during those months because you’re not sitting there focusing on your opponent,” Muhammad said. “You’re focusing on pleasing God, being closer to your religion, being closer to the people around you, your family, your loved ones.
“When you’re fasting, you get more headedness out of everything, and I think it helps a lot of people during that month. So I think for him, since this is early, I don’t know if he’ll gain the strength that I have during it, but I don’t think it’ll be hard for him.”
