Here’s a bold statement for you: What if a UFC fighter was deliberately matched against a rising star just to prove a point? That’s exactly what Azamat Bekoev believes is happening in his upcoming bout at UFC Vancouver. But here’s where it gets controversial—he thinks the UFC is using his opponent, Yousri Belgaroui, to send a message to Alex Pereira, the newly crowned light heavyweight champion. And this is the part most people miss: Bekoev isn’t just speculating; he’s convinced the UFC is ‘punishing’ Belgaroui for failing to impress in the Contender Series, despite Pereira’s alleged pleas to sign him.
Let’s break it down. Alex Pereira, affectionately known as ‘Poatan,’ has been on a roll. After reclaiming the light heavyweight title earlier this month, he’s been showered with praise, even earning the title of the UFC’s greatest of all time from a former champion. Given his influence and willingness to step up for the promotion, it’s no surprise that Pereira’s teammates are getting noticed. One of them, a rising talent, is set to make his Octagon debut this weekend in Vancouver. But the spotlight isn’t just on Pereira’s crew—it’s also on Bekoev, who believes his opponent’s spot on the card is a calculated move by the UFC.
Belgaroui, a former Glory kickboxer with an MMA record of 8-3, has had a rocky relationship with the UFC. Despite appearing on Dana White’s Contender Series twice, he failed to secure a contract after his first loss and faced harsh criticism from White even after a TKO finish in his second appearance. So, how did he end up on the UFC roster? By stepping in as a replacement to face Bekoev. But Bekoev isn’t buying it. In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, he suggested that Pereira’s influence might have pushed Belgaroui into the UFC, only for the promotion to set him up for failure.
‘I think Pereira wanted to push this guy to the UFC because he’s a striker and he couldn’t get a finish in the Contender Series,’ Bekoev said. ‘That’s why the UFC didn’t want to sign him, but I think Pereira was asking or begging, I don’t know. That’s why they put him [in this matchup], they want to punish him maybe. This is my opinion.’ Bold words, right? But they raise a fascinating question: Is the UFC using this fight to assert its authority, or is Bekoev reading too much into it?
Adding fuel to the fire, Bekoev plans to send a message to Pereira after the fight. ‘I want to say after the fight, no chama,’ he declared. What does this mean? Is it a personal jab, or a broader statement about the dynamics within the UFC? And let’s not forget Bekoev’s own journey. With back-to-back first-round finishes this year, he’s proven himself as a dangerous contender in the middleweight division. His theory about Belgaroui’s matchup isn’t entirely far-fetched, especially considering his originally scheduled opponent, Torrez Finney, also faced criticism from the UFC.
So, here’s the big question: Is the UFC really manipulating matchups to make a point, or is this just the nature of the fight game? What do you think? Is Bekoev onto something, or is he overthinking it? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to spark some heated opinions!
