Yousri Belgaroui

Yousri Belgaroui is a 33-year-old Dutch-Tunisian striker making a high-stakes late-career entry into the UFC after building an elite resume in Glory kickboxing. Over more than a decade in the ring, he competed as a three-time middleweight championship challenger and won the prestigious 2017 Middleweight Contender Tournament. Along the way, he beat future UFC champions Israel Adesanya (by decision in 2016) and Alex Pereira (by decision in 2017), though he lost their subsequent rematches. After a less heralded but grinding start in regional MMA between 2021 and 2024, Belgaroui caught the UFC's eye on Dana White's Contender Series in 2024, but was initially denied a contract due to rule violations and pacing concerns. Now, 13 months later, he has made his promotional debut as an underdog and immediately silenced doubters with back-to-back knockout victories.

What makes Belgaroui dangerous is his technical striking foundation and his ability to operate at uncommon range for an MMA middleweight. At 6'5", he uses his length to control distance with a crisp jab and footwork, battering opponents' lead legs and creating openings for bigger shots. His style is methodical and composed rather than flashy: he does not rush, he breaks fighters down systematically across three rounds, and he punishes any attempt by rivals to close the gap. Even when taken down, he escapes efficiently and resets to his striking. His fights against Azamat Bekoev and Mansur Abdul-Malik showed a mature operator who can maintain composure, implement a game plan, and finish damaged opponents without panic.

For newcomers, Belgaroui offers an unusual draw: a late-career journeyman with a world-class striking pedigree who enters the UFC with something to prove. His victories over young prospects and undefeated fighters suggest his regional MMA grind translated into real skills, not just kickboxing glory. Fans who prize technical striking and intelligent fight IQ will find him compelling; those expecting highlight-reel finishes may be frustrated by his patient pace. Either way, his presence in the middleweight division, at age 33, raises the technical bar and adds intrigue to a division hungry for new contenders.