Oct 18, 2025; Vancouver, BC, CANADA; Yousri Belgaroui (blue gloves) reacts after the fight against Azamat Bekoev (red gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Simon Fearn-Imagn Images

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Alex Pereira Reacts To Rival Turned Friend Yousri Belgaroui First UFC Win

Former rivals becoming training partners makes for the best MMA storylines. The combat sports world loves seeing bitter enemies transform into loyal teammates. It shows the respect that exists beneath all the pre-fight trash talk. These transformations happen more often than casual fans might think. Two fighters who once tried to knock each other out suddenly share techniques and celebrate victories together. The bond formed through combat creates relationships that last beyond their fighting careers and Yousri Belgaroui is a prime example of that.

The Dutch middleweight made his UFC debut at UFC Vancouver in impressive fashion. He broke down Azamat Bekoev over three rounds before securing a late stoppage. His striking background and technical precision showed throughout the entire fight. But the story gets more interesting when fans consider his past.

Yousri Belgaroui Breaks Down Azamat Bekoev

Yousri Belgaroui entered his UFC debut against a hungry opponent in Azamat Bekoev. The Russian came forward aggressively from the opening bell. The former Glory Kickboxing standout immediately established his jab and started targeting Bekoev’s lead leg. Bekoev isolated a leg and scored a takedown, but Belgaroui quickly scrambled back up. Belgaroui landed vicious elbows whenever Bekoev shot for takedowns. Those elbows opened a cut on the Russian’s head that started bleeding badly. Bekoev secured another late takedown but absorbed tremendous punishment throughout the round.

The second round saw Bekoev show more patience with his approach. He stuck to his jab and targeted legs with kicks instead of rushing forward recklessly. When Bekoev shot for a single leg, Belgaroui used strong leverage to stay upright and unleashed brutal elbows. Both fighters looked visibly tired by the round’s end.

Coming out FIRING to get the stoppage 👏

Yousri Belgaroui earns the 3rd round TKO!

[ #UFCVancouver | LIVE NOW on the @ESPN app ] pic.twitter.com/7uOvGBuR9T
— UFC (@ufc) October 18, 2025

The third round belonged completely to Belgaroui. An exhausted Bekoev could no longer keep up the pressure or defend effectively. Belgaroui walked him down with volume striking and constant forward movement. The Russian was retreating under relentless assault with no answers left. The referee stepped in at 55 seconds of round three. Belgaroui had earned his first UFC victory in spectacular fashion.

Alex Pereira And Yousri Belgaroui : From Kickboxing Rivals To UFC Training Partners

Yousri Belgaroui and Alex Pereira first met in the kickboxing ring years ago. Belgaroui might be best remembered as one of Pereira’s opponents during his Glory Kickboxing days. The Brazilian was already establishing himself as a knockout artist back then. Their fight showcased two elite strikers at the top of their game. Pereira eventually won the bout, continuing his path toward becoming a two-division Glory champion. But that fight created mutual respect between the two competitors. They recognized each other’s skills and understood the level required to compete at that height.

After their kickboxing careers evolved in different directions, something unexpected happened. Belgaroui and Pereira ended up training together instead of competing against each other. The former rivals became teammates, working on techniques and helping each other improve. Pereira has since become one of the UFC’s biggest stars, holding the light heavyweight championship. He knocked out Israel Adesanya to win the middleweight title before moving up and capturing the light heavyweight belt. His journey from kickboxing to UFC champion inspired many strikers to make the transition.

Belgaroui followed a similar path, though his UFC journey started later. Pereira celebrated alongside him when Belgaroui (9-3) secured his debut victory at UFC Vancouver. The champion posted supportive messages on social media, showing genuine happiness for his friend’s success.

Their relationship proves that competition doesn’t have to breed lasting animosity. Sometimes it creates the strongest friendships instead. Belgaroui now brings his elite striking into the UFC middleweight division. His size and technical skills make him an interesting addition to the rankings. At 33 years old, he’s entering the promotion with tons of experience and championship pedigree from kickboxing.

(Image Credit: Simon Fearn – Imagn Images)

Alex Pereira

Azamat Bekoev

UFC Vancouver

Yousri Belgaroui

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!