UFC champions Belal Muhammad and Alexandre Pantoja took time out of their schedules to teach jiu-jitsu to young students in Los Angeles. The event, supported by local law enforcement and coaching staff, provided free martial arts instruction to neighborhood youth.
For UFC Flyweight Champion Pantoja, the experience resonated deeply with his martial arts journey.
“These moments are so special,” Pantoja reflected. “Some things in your life don’t have price, but they have value.” The Brazilian champion emphasized that experiences like these make him feel like a true world champion, beyond just holding the belt.
Muhammad, the UFC Welterweight Champion, shared similar sentiments about the importance of early martial arts exposure.
“This is what you do it for,” Muhammad told Mike Bohn, praising the program that allows children to learn jiu-jitsu at no cost. He highlighted meeting an eight-year-old participant who had already been training for three years, demonstrating the program’s impact on young practitioners.
The initiative, which brings together local police officers and martial arts coaches, focuses on making martial arts accessible to neighborhood youth. Muhammad, reflecting on his own journey, noted,
“It changed my life. So I can only imagine what it’s going to do for them.”
Both champions were particularly moved by the warm reception they received. Pantoja described how they “made a red carpet” for him and Muhammad, while both emphasized their pleasure in participating. The event showcased how martial arts can bridge communities and provide valuable life lessons to young practitioners.
For these UFC champions, the evening wasn’t just about teaching techniques – it was about reconnecting with the foundational aspects of martial arts and passing along wisdom to the next generation. As Pantoja succinctly put it,
“These are the moments that truly define what it means to be a champion.”
