A new giant has entered the UFC middleweight division, and he's already making waves! Yousri Belgaroui, a towering 6ft 5in middleweight with a background in elite kickboxing, just pulled off a stunning upset knockout at UFC Vancouver. But his journey to the Octagon wasn't exactly a smooth one.
'Baby Face Assassin,' as he's known, transitioned to MMA in 2021 after a successful kickboxing career. However, UFC CEO Dana White initially turned him down after a TKO victory on the Contender Series last year. White's reasoning? He cited multiple fouls committed by Belgaroui and the fact that it took him longer than expected to finish the fight, despite being a heavy 11-1 favorite.
- THROWBACK: Remember that viral moment? Belgaroui ended a fight with a brutal move straight out of a film!
Fast forward 13 months, and Belgaroui made his official UFC debut at Vancouver's Rogers Arena. He was the underdog, facing Azamat Bekoev, a 29-year-old Russian fighter riding an impressive eight-fight win streak. Bekoev had already secured back-to-back first-round KO victories in the UFC.
The fight was a rollercoaster. Belgaroui opened a cut on Bekoev early, but the Russian relentlessly pursued a takedown. Back in striking range, Belgaroui landed significant shots, potentially winning the first round. In the second round, Belgaroui turned up the heat, absorbing shots but landing even more, clearly tiring his opponent. The third round saw a relentless barrage of strikes, forcing the referee to stop the fight.
But here's where it gets controversial... Belgaroui's Contender Series performance was criticized by some, leading to his initial rejection. Do you think the UFC was too harsh, or did Belgaroui need to prove himself?
Yousri Belgaroui's history includes battles with two familiar names: Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya beat him twice by unanimous decision in 2016. The following year, Belgaroui faced UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira twice. He won the first fight by unanimous decision, but lost the second by TKO due to a cut. Pereira ultimately won their trilogy fight in 2018 with a first-round KO.
And this is the part most people miss... Belgaroui's kickboxing record is an impressive 27-7, showcasing his striking prowess. If his UFC Vancouver performance is any indication, he could be a major force in the middleweight division in 2026 and beyond, potentially revisiting his rivalries with Adesanya and Pereira.
What do you think of Belgaroui's chances in the UFC? Do you see him as a future contender, or does he still have a lot to prove? Share your thoughts in the comments!
