Former UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad called out Ariel Helwani for his support of Israel after he aired his concerns over Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland’s back-and-forth ahead of UFC 329. 

Helwani had said he was concerned over how inflammatory things had gotten, with Strickland making racist and Islamophobic remarks about his opponent in recent weeks. But Muhammad took umbrage at a perceived double standard between Helwani’s unconditional support for Israel and his concerns over the fight.

“The guy talking about inflammatory comments is the same guy sitting there supporting a genocide of innocent women and children,” he wrote via X.

the guy talking about inflammatory comments is the same guy sitting there supporting a genocide of innocent women and children .. https://t.co/dPuLPH6G5f

— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) April 29, 2026

Following the October 7, 2023 attacks from Hamas on the Israeli-occupied Gaza envelope, Helwani made multiple posts to social media to condemn the attacks, citing his parents’ emigration from Lebanon as a result of anti-semitism, as well as his grandparents’ imprisonment by the PLO in 1980.

“And then when the sadness subsides another feeling keeps emerging,” one post read. “Pride. Overwhelming pride. Pride in my faith. My people. My true homeland. I have never felt prouder of who I am and what I believe in. I have never been prouder to be Jewish. Prouder to support Israel. Unconditionally.”

In a January 2025 episode of “MMA Hour” Helwani addressed Khabib Nurmagomedov’s support for Palestine, saying he did not want innocent lives lost but “wants Hamas to lose,” questioning why the UFC legend was outspoken on Palestine but silent on Russia’s actions in Ukraine. 

Between October 2023 and 2025, almost 50 recognized human rights advocacy groups around the world – including Oxfam, Amnesty International, the International Federation for Human Rights, and Jewish Voice for Peace – have identified the conflict in Gaza as a genocide.

This Wednesday will mark three weeks since Darby Allin pulled the rabbit out of the hat and defeated MJF to become new AEW Men’s World Champion. And while the jury is still out on how Allin’s run will look from a business perspective, many have agreed the title change itself was exciting, as were his two defenses against Tommaso Ciampa and Brody King over the last few weeks.

As an occasional on-air talent and member of AEW’s behind-the-scenes team, Jeff Jarrett got an up close look at Allin’s title win. On a recent episode of “My World” shortly after Allin became champion, Jarrett was all praise over Allin’s moment and how AEW put all the pieces together.

“I just thought the timing of it…I just think it was a lot of things done right,” Jarrett said. “The tackle, headlock takeover and kind of have Darby bridged on that. There were little nuances that made it a gamble, it’s a risk in so many ways, but hats off to all involved, cause I don’t want to pick out any individual talent. I thought the announcers were right on point, I thought the crowd…anyway, all good man.”

Jarrett saved his highest compliments for AEW owner Tony Khan for greenlighting the move, and for Allin for taking advantage of the situation. Jarrett noted that Allin was in a much different spot when Jarrett signed with AEW years ago, and thrilled to see him take the necessary steps towards becoming a top star.

“Obviously, Tony is the one who either made the call specifically or approved of the call,” Jarrett said. “But man oh man, what a way to drop it in there…I am very happy for Darby. And yes, he was the four pillars two years ago when I arrived. And he never won the title. But it finally happened, in his hometown, the week of WrestleMania. Hats off.”

If you quote this article, please credit “My World with Jeff Jarrett” and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription