First-time Octagon jitters are tough to deal with. Imagine going into your first UFC fight after fasting during the day, every day over the last month.
Belal Muhammad has a lot on his plate over the next few days. Not literally, though. He hasn't eaten or taken a drink of water between sun up and sun down since early June. The UFC newcomer is a practicing Muslim and Ramadan this year fell between June 5 and July 5 -- essentially the duration of his training camp for Alan Jouban.
"It's one of those where you have to be really mentally strong to do it," Muhammad told MMA Fighting.