When Conor McGregor attacked a bus full of UFC fighters in 2018, injuring multiple people with shattered glass, the MMA world treated it like a promotional stunt. He was not cut from the roster, not labeled a criminal in headlines, and certainly not called a terrorist. But what if a Muslim fighter — say, UFC welterweight Bilal Muhammad — had done the exact same thing? In a powerful episode of The Deen Show, Muhammad himself answered that question with zero hesitation, exposing a double standard that should trouble anyone who believes in justice and fairness.
The Double Standard No One Can Deny
Bilal Muhammad, a proud Muslim fighter born in Chicago and named after Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the great companion Bilal, laid it out plainly. If a Muslim athlete had flown in on a work visa with thirty people and attacked a bus full of fighters, the response would have been immediate and devastating — arrest, removal from the UFC, and wall-to-wall media coverage framing it as terrorism. Even Matt Serra’s podcast co-host admitted McGregor was “lucky not to get charged with a terrorist act.” Yet when McGregor did it, the UFC turned the incident into a promotional highlight reel.
“We’re going to jail for a while… we’re getting kicked out of the UFC. It’s going to be in the papers as a terrorist and the headline’s gonna read ‘Mohammed’ — that’s gonna be the first word. Mohammed. Terrorist attacks bus. Guaranteed, hundred percent.” — Bilal Muhammad on The Deen Show
Why This Matters Beyond the Octagon
- Kids are watching. Bilal Muhammad pointed out that young fans who idolize McGregor saw him laugh off a violent attack with zero consequences — a dangerous message that normalizes aggression and rewards it with fame.
- Real people were hurt. Fighters on that bus suffered glass in their eyes and cuts that could have ended careers. McGregor faced minimal accountability while the UFC profited from the footage.
- Islam teaches accountability. The Quran’s verse on justice is displayed at Harvard Law School because of its universal power. Islam demands that wrongdoing is addressed fairly regardless of who commits it — no special treatment for fame or money.
- Muslim athletes carry an unfair burden. Fighters like Bilal Muhammad already face extra scrutiny simply for having a Muslim name. One misstep would end a Muslim fighter’s career, while McGregor’s criminal behavior became a marketing campaign.
- The word “radical” is weaponized. As discussed on the show, “radical Islam” is used to paint any practicing Muslim as extreme — yet actual violent behavior from non-Muslim public figures is excused and even celebrated.
Faith, Courage, and Standing Tall
“We’re Muslim, we’re here, and there’s nothing to fear.” — Bilal Muhammad
Bridging the Gap Through Honest Conversation
The discussion also touched on the need for platforms like Joe Rogan’s podcast to bring on Muslim scholars and academics for fair, balanced dialogue instead of amplifying voices that misrepresent Islam to millions of listeners. Bilal Muhammad represents the best of what faith and discipline produce — a man who competes at the highest level of combat sports while fasting during Ramadan, carrying his Islamic identity with pride rather than hiding it. The double standard in how Muslim athletes are treated compared to figures like Conor McGregor is not just a sports issue; it is a justice issue, and Islam has always stood on the side of justice for all people regardless of their background or beliefs.
