UFC champion addresses banned flag controversy – ‘Dana said he’s all about free speech’

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UFC and CEO Dana White are all about free speech and freedom of expression, but there continues to be controversy surround flags in and around the Octagon. Back in May 2022, fighters carrying flags was actually banned outright because of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. This was a deeply unpopular decision and resulted in a good bit of outcry from athletes who wanted to represent their respective countries in the cage.

By October 2023, the decision was reversed. “If flags hurt your feelings, too f—king bad,” White declared, and generally, that’s been the rule of law (with one notable exception). Recently, however, there’s been a bit of controversy regarding UFC Welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, who proudly represents Palestine in addition to Chicago, Illinois.

Strangely, Muhammad is the only fighter listed on the official UFC website for the UFC 315 fight card without a flag. Some claimed censorship and other speculated it was merely an error, but after two weeks, Muhammad is now publicly requested the situation be fixed.

“People keep asking me, ‘Where’s your flag?’ I kept getting multiple messages from it, and I was assuming it was a mistake, but it’s still not addressed,” Muhammad said (via MMA Junkie). “So I’ll address it and hope that Dana addresses it as well and fixes it, because Dana said he’s all about free speech. He’s all about people supporting who they want to support and not muting or silencing anybody. I’m hoping that the UFC fixes this issue and puts my flag next to my name so the people that I represent, the people that I fight for, and the people that I train for, will see their flag.”

It remains to be seen whether White acquiesces or even acknowledges Muhammad’s request. Either way, “Remember The Name” will be seeking the first defense of his Welterweight crown at UFC 315 opposite Jack Della Maddalena from Montreal, Quebec, Canada on May 10, 2025.

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