TLDR
- Yousri Belgaroui faces Caio Borralho at UFC 334 on November 14 at Madison Square Garden
- Belgaroui has finished all three opponents since joining UFC in 2024
- The Dutch fighter trains with Alex Pereira and Glover Teixeira at Teixeira MMA
- Borralho has lost only once in nine UFC fights and is ranked near title contention
- Belgaroui previously fought Pereira three times in kickboxing, winning once
Sources: sherdog.com | mmamania.com
Yousri Belgaroui will face his toughest test in the UFC when he meets Caio Borralho at UFC 334 this Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York. The unranked middleweight has a chance to leapfrog into title contention with a win over the highly-ranked Brazilian.
Belgaroui has been training at Teixeira MMA alongside some of the sport’s biggest names. The 6’5″ Dutch fighter credits former UFC champions Alex Pereira and Glover Teixeira for his rapid improvement inside the octagon.
THE BOOGEYMAN WON'T STOP
Yousri Belgaroui has his sights on a fifth straight knockout victory at #Polymarket #UFC334!
[ LIVE NOV 14 at 9pmET on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/NL11iyr5s2
— UFC (@ufc) November 10, 2026
“I have been growing every day,” Belgaroui said in a prefight interview. “The striking from Alex is the No. 1 striking in the world ever.”
Belgaroui and Pereira have a long history together. The two met three times in kickboxing, with Belgaroui winning their first fight in 2017 before Pereira won the next two encounters in 2018.
Wrestling Makes the Difference
While Belgaroui’s striking credentials are well-established, he has focused heavily on his ground game with Teixeira. The former light heavyweight champion has helped him develop wrestling skills rather than relying solely on jiu-jitsu.
“Glover’s wrestling style, instead of just the jiu jitsu, which a lot of strikers go into,” Belgaroui explained. “For me, that transition phase, that wrestling phase is so important and added to my game, that made me who I am.”
The improvement has shown in his UFC performances. Belgaroui earned his contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2024 and has finished all three opponents since joining the promotion.
His nickname “The Boogeyman” reflects his methodical approach to breaking down opponents. He attacks at every level, using calf kicks, body strikes, and head shots to systematically wear down his competition.
Borralho Defends His Position
Borralho enters the fight as the betting favorite at -165. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist has built a strong record in the UFC, losing only to fellow contender Nassourdine Imavov in nine octagon appearances.
His most recent victory came against former ONE Championship titleholder Reinier de Ridder in March 2026. Borralho has been circling a title shot for several fights now and needs to defend his ranking against the surging Belgaroui.
Borralho’s grappling is considered his biggest weapon. He uses an athletic double-leg takedown and possesses strong submission skills once the fight hits the mat.
The Brazilian also strikes effectively from distance, using a karate-influenced stance and timing his right hand to counter opponents. His well-rounded game has made him one of the division’s top contenders.
Belgaroui’s improved takedown defense will be tested against Borralho’s grappling. The Dutch fighter has shown better wrestling in recent fights, but he has never faced a grappler of Borralho’s caliber.
The fight takes place on the UFC 334 card this Saturday, November 14. Belgaroui is listed at +130 as the underdog, with odds favoring a Borralho decision victory at +140.
Belgaroui holds an 11-3 professional MMA record, while Borralho stands at 18-2 with one no contest. Both fighters are looking to move closer to a middleweight title shot with a victory at Madison Square Garden.
