The 185-pound division just experienced a massive earthquake. Yousri Belgaroui shattered the undefeated record of Mansur Abdul-Malik on Saturday night at UFC Seattle, securing a devastating technical knockout at 3:39 of the third round. Belgaroui folded the highly touted wrestling prospect with a vicious knee from the clinch, sending Abdul-Malik face-first into the canvas. The stunning upset immediately scrambles the trajectory of the UFC’s middleweight landscape, proving the veteran striker is a legitimate threat in global combat sports.
Abdul-Malik entered the cage as a heavy -130 betting favorite. He boasted a flawless 9-0-1 record with a 100 percent finishing rate. Belgaroui stepped in at . The oddsmakers got it wrong.
Relying on his massive 6-foot-6 frame, Belgaroui put on an absolute striking clinic. He absorbed intense takedown pressure throughout the second and third frames. Abdul-Malik pushed the pace. Belgaroui stayed composed. He managed the distance perfectly with punishing calf kicks and sharp, technical boxing to neutralize the grappling threat.
Then came the finish. Tied up in the clinch late in the final round, Belgaroui found the opening and launched the fight-ending knee. Abdul-Malik dropped instantly.
Yousri Belgaroui Delivers Masterful Knockout Against Mansur Abdul-Malik – UFC Seattle Highlights https://t.co/w5YTfHSPnF
— LowKickMMA.com (@LowKick_MMA) March 29, 2026
Belgaroui grabbed the microphone moments after the stoppage. He broke down the finishing sequence in a post-fight Octagon interview broadcast live from the cage. The towering striker credited his distance management and patience against a relentless grappler.
This makes two consecutive third-round stoppage victories for the Dutch kickboxer inside the Octagon. Both men earned their promotional contracts via Dana White’s Contender Series in 2024. Only Belgaroui leaves Seattle with his momentum intact.
Hardcore fans already knew the pedigree. Belgaroui is a former three-time GLORY Kickboxing title challenger. He shares deep history with current UFC superstar Alex Pereira, evolving from a fierce rival in the kickboxing ring to a trusted training partner. That elite striking foundation was fully on display Saturday night.
The division now has to deal with a towering sniper. Abdul-Malik will head back to the drawing board to rebuild after his first professional taste of defeat. Belgaroui just put the entire top 15 on notice.