Earlier this week, while the MMA community was bracing itself for the excitement of the blockbuster UFC 307, headlined by Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Jr which took place in Salt Lake City, Utah, events on the other side of the world escalated toward World War III when Iran suddenly launched missile strikes on Israel amid the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, a figure in the Lebanese political and militant group, raising tensions in the Middle East.

The sports world was not untouched by this situation, becoming a topic of debate when renowned NFL team New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh wore a Lebanese flag on his arm during a game in support of Lebanon. Now, news has emerged from ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Coach Saleh has been fired by team owner Woody Johnson after nearly completing three and a half years of his five-year contract.

Johnson released a statement claiming, “I informed Robert Saleh that he will no longer serve as the Head Coach of the Jets. I thanked him for his hard work these past three-and-a-half years and wished him well moving forward.” This news spread like wildfire in the sports world, eventually reaching newly crowned UFC Welterweight king Belal Muhammad, who couldn’t let this situation go without sharing his opinion. He took to his X account to connect the actions of the Jets coach’s wearing of the Lebanese patch, writing, “Days after wearing a Lebanon patch. Smh.”

Belal Muhammad appears to empathize with Saleh’s situation, as they both are the sons of immigrants from the Middle East, Muhammad from Palestine, and Saleh from Lebanon. ‘Bully B’ has been quite vocal about Palestinian rights amid the chaos of war.

Belal Muhammad dedicated his victory to Palestine

Back in July, in Manchester, England, Belal Muhammad made history by becoming the first fighter from Palestine to win a UFC world title by dethroning reigning champion Leon Edwards. With an astonishing performance, he also became the first fighter to defeat ‘Rocky’ since 2015. This victory silenced critics who had long labeled his fighting style as boring and claimed he wasn’t worthy of a title shot, despite his impressive resume.

Muhammad’s success was a result of his well-rounded skills, particularly his ability to blend wrestling with Dagestani-style grappling, which helped him dominate the division. His victory marked a turning point in his career, showcasing his true potential as a champion.

Born to Palestinian parents, Muhammad immediately dedicated his win to his homeland. He passionately stated, “This is for my people in Palestine. They’re fighting the real fight. It sounds like all the people booing have got a lot of tears coming out of their eyes. I’ve got my family here. God first, always. This fight is for my family, my people, and for Palestine.”

What’s your take on Belal Muhammad’s remark? Do you believe the New York Jets’ owner fired Robert Saleh because of the Lebanese patch he wore, or was it due to Saleh’s subpar performance as head coach, given the team’s ongoing 2-3 standing? Drop your opinion below.