UFC free fight: Belal Muhammad claims first career submission in Abu Dhabi

Belal Muhammad delivered a standout performance in front of his home fans.

Fighting in the Middle East for the first time, the Palestinian welterweight faced Takashi Sato at UFC 242, which took place in Abu Dhabi.

Muhammad put the pressure on Sato early, mixing up strikes to the body and the head. Sato landed some solid jabs, but he was caught with a Muhammad overhand left which stumbled him back, but he was able to stay on his feet as he shrugged off Muhammad’s follow-up akedown attempt. Toward the end of Round 1, Muhammad took Sato down and transitioned to his back as he closed out the round strongly.

Muhammad continued to be the more efficient striker in Round 2 as he poured on the pressure and repeatedly found a home for his left hand. But towards the end of the round, it was Sato who landed the takedown as the clock wound down. In the final round, Muhammad was able to take Sato’s back once again, but this time he made the position count as he sunk in a rear-naked choke to claim the first submission win of his career.

Muhammad (18-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) returns to action this week when he faces Leon Edwards (18-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) in the main event of UFC Fight Night 187, which takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The event streams on ESPN+.

Before he faces Edwards, relive Muhammad’s finish over Sato in the video above.