Imagine a towering 6-foot-5 middleweight fighter, once dismissed by UFC president Dana White, stepping into the octagon and delivering a jaw-dropping knockout in his debut at UFC Vancouver. This is the story of Yousri Belgaroui, a fighter who’s defying expectations and rewriting his narrative. Known as the ‘Baby Face Assassin,’ Belgaroui isn’t new to combat sports—he’s a kickboxing veteran with an elite-level career before transitioning to MMA in 2021. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite a TKO win on the Contender Series last year, Dana White initially snubbed him, citing multiple fouls and a slower-than-expected finish. Was this a fair call, or did White underestimate Belgaroui’s potential? Fast forward 13 months, and Belgaroui made his UFC debut against Azamat Bekoev, a 29-year-old Russian on an eight-fight win streak with back-to-back first-round KOs in the UFC. On paper, Belgaroui was the underdog. But in the ring, he proved otherwise. After a brutal back-and-forth, Belgaroui’s relentless pace and striking precision forced the referee to stop the fight in the third round, handing Bekoev his first loss in years. And this is the part most people miss: Belgaroui’s kickboxing record includes battles against MMA legends like Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira. While he holds a win over Pereira and split results with Adesanya, his rivalry with Pereira ended in a first-round KO loss in their trilogy fight. Now, Belgaroui’s UFC Vancouver performance hints at a resurgence. Could he reignite those rivalries and become a middleweight contender in 2026? What do you think—is Belgaroui a future champion, or just another underdog story? Let’s debate in the comments!
