Earlier this year, 36-year-old Belal Muhammad surprised everyone when he dethroned fan favorite Leon Edwards from his welterweight throne to become the first-ever Palestinian descendant to win the UFC title at UFC 304 in Manchester. This victory cemented his reputation in the promotion even further, especially in the welterweight division. This win gave Muhammad a chance to shut out his critics who doubted his caliber and his achievement rightfully grabbed attention across the MMA world, including UFC veteran commentator Joe Rogan.

In episode #163 of the JRE MMA Show, Rogan was joined by MMA fighters John Rallo, Matt Serra, and Dib Thomas, where his guests criticized Leon Edwards‘ disappointing performance against Belal Muhammad. However, Rogan didn’t share this view; instead, he attributed ‘Remember the Name’s’ success to his recent training stint with UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, saying, ” That guy (Muhammad) going to Dagestan was like the ultimate move, the ultimate move. You get involved with Khabib.” 

The podcaster further praised Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Dagestani work ethics and values, saying,” You get involved with Khabib, especially with his kind of style and his work ethics, yeah, like that dude has a work ethic made.” Before starting his training under ‘Eagle’, Belal Muhammad was already performing well, boasting a 9-fight winning streak and victories over fighters like Sean Brady and Gilbert Burns. However, there was still something missing from his game, which was later polished by ‘Eagle’ and his team in Dagestan.

This is not the first time Joe Rogan has praised Khabib Nurmagomedov and his team. Earlier this year, Rogan, alongside former UFC fighter Royce Gracie, discussed the key factors behind the success of Dagestani fighters, especially those from Khabib’s camp.

Joe Rogan’s thoughts on Khabib’s camp

In the MMA world, Dagestani fighters have carved their names in history with remarkable performances. Khabib Nurmagomedov is a prime example, having remained undefeated throughout his illustrious career until his retirement. His cousin, Umar Nurmagomedov and his teammate, UFC lightweight division king Islam Makhachev, have since carried on his legacy. This dominance often leaves MMA fans curious about the secret behind Dagestani fighters’ success. While we may not know the full answer, Joe Rogan certainly has some insights.

The podcaster offered an insightful explaination, attributing their success to a unique cultural and religious discipline that keeps them focused. Rogan said, “The guys at Khabib Nurmagomedov’s camp are some of the most dominant fighters.They wear their hair all exactly the same way. All they care about is family, religion, and training. They don’t chase girls. They don’t drink. They’re just training constantly like insanely dedicated to their craft and they are the most dominant.”

What are your thoughts on Joe Rogan’s remarks regarding Belal Muhammad? Do you also think that Muhammad’s victory credit should solely go to Khabib Nurmagomedov, who recently claimed that Muhammad only does 10% of his training with him and rest is done with his primary coach, Roberto Ramirez? Drop your opinion below.