The blockbuster opening women’s bantamweight clash between Melissa Croden and Tainara Lisboa set the tone for what would become a fiery night at UFC Vancouver. Yet, it was the second prelim bout that truly stole the spotlight, delivering one of the evening’s most unexpected twists in the middleweight division. In that matchup, Russian powerhouse Azamat Bekoev faced off against Dutch kickboxing specialist Yousri Belgaroui.

Coming in as the heavy favorite, Azamat Bekoev (20-4) had the crowd’s support and momentum on his side. But under the bright lights of British Columbia, it was the ‘Baby Face Assassin’ who flipped the script, scoring a stunning third-round knockout to seal one of the night’s biggest upsets. The fight opened with a chaotic, blood-soaked first round, as Yousri Belgaroui (9-3) weathered ‘Iron’s aggressive wrestling and began finding his rhythm on the feet.

Yousri Belgaroui targets Alex Pereira in post-fight UFC Vancouver moment

Drawing from his elite kickboxing background, the Dutchman picked his shots with precision, landing crisp combinations and brutal knees that repeatedly halted Azamat Bekoev’s advances. Despite the Russian’s efforts to close the distance and work in the clinch, Yousri Belgaroui’s 6’6” frame and superior reach gave him the edge, allowing him to dictate the pace and range throughout the contest.

By the third round, the contest had fully swung in Belgaroui’s favor. He landed a perfectly timed strike that sent the 6’0” Russian crashing to the canvas, snapping ‘Iron’s eight-fight win streak and delivering a spectacular UFC debut for the Dutchman. Following the victory, Yousri Belgaroui used his post-fight interview to call out his former rival-turned-teammate, UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. “Oh, Mr. Maynard… where’s my belt?…no? Why Alex (Pereira) gets it every time he fights?” remarked Yousri Belgaroui.

However, that was just the opening line, as Yousri Belgaroui added, “I guess I got to do a lot more, that’s why I started climbing the ladder here. And I am happy with the start.” The 33-year-old Belgaroui brings a wealth of experience, having competed in 34 kickboxing bouts before transitioning to MMA and later UFC. Belgaroui and Alex Pereira share a storied history from their kickboxing days, having faced each other three times — with the Brazilian winning twice and Belgaroui claiming one victory — leaving their rivalry at 2–1 in Pereira’s favor.

Is a fierce rivalry brewing between Yousri Belgaroui and Alex Pereira?

The rivalry between Alex Pereira and Yousri Belgaroui dates back to 2017. In their first encounter, the Dutch fighter claimed victory via unanimous decision, while in their rematch, the Brazilian won by doctor stoppage. Later that same year, the duo concluded their trilogy with ‘Poatan’, securing victory via punch, leaving fans captivated by their competitive history.

Following 2020, ‘Baby Face Assassin’ shifted his focus to MMA, while Pereira continued to solidify his reputation in the middleweight circuit. Belgaroui’s UFC debut proved challenging, as he initially fell short in the 2023 DWCS. After several successful outings in the Netherlands’ regional MMA scene, including capturing a light heavyweight title, he returned to the UFC last year.

During this period, he trained alongside Alex Pereira and Glover Teixeira, a partnership highlighted on his Instagram, where the duo appeared together. At UFC 320 this month, Pereira reclaimed his light heavyweight title, with the Dutch star playing a supportive role in camp and celebrating his teammate’s triumph. Yousri Belgaroui described ‘Poatan” and Teixeira’s gym as “family” for their unwavering support, posting on Instagram with the caption: “UFC 320 #Mission #Accomplished #Poatan #Legendary What an incredible trip it was, Love the family, 100.”

With a successful UFC debut now under his belt at UFC Vancouver, the question remains: can 33-year-old Yousri Belgaroui follow in Alex Pereira’s footsteps and rise to claim the middleweight championship? Share your thoughts below.