Yousri Belgaroui: Kickboxing Record, Religion, Height and Alex Pereira Connection

Yousri Belgaroui is a Tunisian-Dutch combat sports athlete who has built his reputation through professional kickboxing and mixed martial arts. Known for his impressive height, powerful striking and knockout ability, he became a familiar name among fight fans during his time competing in GLORY Kickboxing.

Belgaroui also attracted attention because of his rivalry with former UFC champion Alex Pereira. The two fighters faced each other three times in kickboxing, producing an interesting chapter in their respective careers. Interestingly, Belgaroui also secured a victory over Pereira in their 2017 encounter.

His transition to MMA eventually brought him to the UFC, where he continued developing as a middleweight contender.

Who Is Yousri Belgaroui?

Yousri Belgaroui is a professional mixed martial artist and former GLORY Kickboxing contender. He was born on June 2, 1992, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and has Tunisian family roots.

He developed an interest in fighting during his teenage years. According to his UFC profile, he started training at 16 because he enjoyed watching combat sports.

Belgaroui initially established himself as a kickboxer before moving into professional MMA in 2021. His striking background remains one of his biggest strengths inside the Octagon.

He is also known by the nickname “The Baby-Faced Assassin.”

Yousri Belgaroui Kickboxing Record

Belgaroui established an impressive professional kickboxing career before entering MMA. His record is commonly listed as 27 wins and 7 losses, including 13 victories by knockout.

He competed in GLORY, one of the leading organizations in professional kickboxing, and became a three-time challenger for its middleweight championship.

His kickboxing achievements include:

• Professional kickboxing wins: 27

• Professional kickboxing losses: 7

• Knockout wins: 13

• Draws: 0

• GLORY middleweight title challenger: Three times

• GLORY middleweight contender tournament winner: 2017

His striking style combines long-range punches, powerful kicks and dangerous knees. His physical advantages have also helped him control distance against shorter opponents.

Yousri Belgaroui and Alex Pereira

Alex Pereira is one of the most significant opponents in Belgaroui’s kickboxing career. Their rivalry began in GLORY, where both athletes competed at the highest level of the middleweight division.

The fighters met three times in professional kickboxing, with Belgaroui winning once and Pereira taking two victories.

Their first meeting took place at GLORY 40 Copenhagen in April 2017. Belgaroui defeated Pereira by unanimous decision in the middleweight contender tournament final. All five judges scored the fight 30-27 in his favour.

However, Pereira responded in their next two encounters.

At GLORY 49 Rotterdam in December 2017, Pereira defeated Belgaroui by technical knockout. Their third meeting happened at GLORY 55 New York in July 2018, when Pereira secured another knockout victory.

Therefore, their kickboxing head-to-head record stands at:

• Yousri Belgaroui: 1 victory

• Alex Pereira: 2 victories

Their rivalry is particularly interesting because both fighters later developed successful MMA careers.

Belgaroui also joined Teixeira MMA & Fitness, where he trains alongside Pereira and former UFC champion Glover Teixeira.

How Tall Is Yousri Belgaroui?

Yousri Belgaroui is approximately 6 feet 5 inches to 6 feet 6 inches tall, depending on the listed measurement.

The UFC lists his height at 6 feet 6 inches (198 cm), while other fight databases and GLORY records list him at approximately 6 feet 5 inches (196 cm).

His impressive reach and tall frame give him an advantage in the middleweight division.

He weighs approximately 185 pounds (84 kg) when competing at middleweight.

What Is Yousri Belgaroui’s Religion?

Yousri Belgaroui’s religion has not been clearly confirmed in publicly available official fighter biographies.

He has Tunisian family roots, but his background or nationality alone should not be treated as proof of his personal religious beliefs.

Belgaroui has not provided a widely documented public statement confirming his religious affiliation. Therefore, it is more accurate to describe his religion as undisclosed rather than assume a particular faith.

Yousri Belgaroui’s MMA Career and UFC Record

After building his reputation in kickboxing, Belgaroui began competing professionally in MMA in 2021.

He worked on developing his overall fighting abilities while maintaining his striking strengths. His progress eventually earned him opportunities on Dana White’s Contender Series.

Although he lost a unanimous decision to Marco Tulio in 2023, he continued pursuing his UFC ambitions.

He later earned another opportunity on the Contender Series, defeating Taiga Iwasaki by third-round TKO in September 2024.

Belgaroui made his UFC debut against Azamat Bekoev in October 2025. He won by third-round TKO, making an impressive start to his Octagon career.

He subsequently defeated Mansur Abdul-Malik in March 2026 and Djorden Santos in September 2026.

According to his UFC profile, he has an 11-3 professional MMA record, including nine knockout victories.

Yousri Belgaroui’s Fighting Style

Belgaroui is primarily a striker with extensive experience in kickboxing. His background allows him to use different combinations while maintaining distance against opponents.

His main strengths include:

• Powerful striking: He has recorded nine MMA knockout victories.

• Knee attacks: His right knee is listed among his favourite striking techniques.

• Distance management: His height and reach help him attack from long range.

• Kickboxing experience: Years of competition in GLORY helped develop his striking fundamentals.

However, MMA requires more than striking. His training at Teixeira MMA & Fitness has also helped him develop his grappling and overall mixed martial arts skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Yousri Belgaroui’s kickboxing record?

His commonly listed professional kickboxing record is 27 wins and 7 losses, with 13 knockout victories.

Did Yousri Belgaroui beat Alex Pereira?

Yes. Belgaroui defeated Pereira by unanimous decision at GLORY 40 Copenhagen in April 2017.

How many times did Yousri Belgaroui fight Alex Pereira?

They fought three times in kickboxing. Belgaroui won once, while Pereira won twice.

How tall is Yousri Belgaroui?

He is listed between 6 feet 5 inches and 6 feet 6 inches tall. The UFC lists him at 6 feet 6 inches.

What is Yousri Belgaroui’s religion?

His religion has not been publicly confirmed through reliable official sources.

What is Yousri Belgaroui’s MMA record?

His UFC profile lists his professional MMA record as 11 wins and 3 losses, with nine knockout victories.

Conclusion

Yousri Belgaroui has established himself as an accomplished combat sports athlete through his performances in GLORY Kickboxing and the UFC. His 27-7 kickboxing record, knockout ability and impressive physical attributes helped him become a recognised middleweight competitor.

His rivalry with Alex Pereira remains one of the most interesting parts of his career. Although Pereira won two of their three kickboxing meetings, Belgaroui earned an important unanimous decision victory in 2017. With his continued development in MMA, Belgaroui remains a fighter worth watching.