As the UFC prepares to descend upon Vancouver, a routine fight card is quickly becoming anything but. Beneath the surface of exciting matchups and promising debuts, a fascinating narrative is unfolding – one that pits a champion`s alleged influence against the promotion`s meticulous, and sometimes unforgiving, matchmaking strategy. At the heart of it all is middleweight contender Azamat Bekoev, who claims his upcoming opponent, Yousri Belgaroui, is stepping into the Octagon not just for a fight, but perhaps for a calculated “punishment” from the UFC, aimed squarely at light heavyweight king Alex Pereira.
The Champion`s Leverage: Pereira`s Push for a Teammate
Alex “Poatan” Pereira is currently enjoying a remarkable run. Having recently reclaimed the light heavyweight title at UFC 320, his stock in the company has arguably never been higher. It`s no secret that successful, fan-favorite champions often gain a certain amount of leverage, a subtle pull with the matchmakers. This influence, Bekoev suggests, was put to use when Pereira reportedly advocated for his long-time teammate and friend, Yousri Belgaroui, to join the coveted UFC roster.
Belgaroui, a formidable 6`5″ former Glory kickboxer, boasts an 8-3 professional MMA record. His journey to the Octagon, however, has been less than straightforward. He made two appearances on Dana White`s Contender Series (DWCS), the proving ground for aspiring UFC talent. Despite securing a TKO victory in his second outing in September 2024, the Dutchman failed to impress UFC President Dana White, who offered a rather public, and scathing, critique of his performance. A contract remained elusive, a testament to the high bar set by the promotion.
A Twist of Fate, or Calculated Matchmaking?
Yet, Belgaroui found his way in. Stepping in as a replacement opponent for Azamat Bekoev at UFC Vancouver, his Octagon debut is now set. But Bekoev sees more than just an opportunity here. He views it as a strategic move by the UFC, a subtle jab, or perhaps a direct challenge, to Pereira`s lobbying efforts.
“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 stated in a recent interview. “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.“
The sentiment is clear: Bekoev believes the UFC, rather than simply granting Pereira`s wish, has strategically placed Belgaroui in a high-stakes, difficult debut against a dangerous opponent – a sort of trial by fire, or, as Bekoev suggests, a deliberate “punishment” to send a message about who ultimately calls the shots regarding roster spots.
Azamat Bekoev: The “Punisher” with a Message
And Bekoev is certainly a formidable test. A rising contender in the middleweight division, he`s demonstrated his lethal finishing abilities with back-to-back first-round stoppages this year. His assessment carries weight, especially considering his original opponent for an earlier canceled fight, Torrez Finney, was also a fighter who had faced public criticism from the UFC brass regarding his performances at the Apex.
This pattern, Bekoev implies, isn`t coincidental. He sees himself as an instrument in the UFC`s calculated approach to managing fighter influence. More than just winning the fight, Bekoev aims to deliver a message – not just to Belgaroui, but directly to Alex Pereira. His post-fight declaration? “No chama.”
For those unfamiliar, “Chama!” is Alex Pereira`s signature catchphrase, an enthusiastic call to action or acknowledgment that roughly translates to “Call me!” or “Bring it on!” Bekoev`s retort, “no chama,” is a direct, witty challenge. It implies he intends to silence Pereira`s call, to negate his influence, and to prove that even a champion`s endorsement doesn`t guarantee an easy path in the unforgiving world of the UFC.
Beyond the Octagon: A Test of Power Dynamics
This Vancouver clash, therefore, transcends a simple middleweight bout. It becomes a fascinating case study in the intricate power dynamics within the Ultimate Fighting Championship. How much sway does a champion truly hold? And how does the promotion respond when that influence potentially clashes with its own vision for the roster?
As Azamat Bekoev and Yousri Belgaroui prepare to face off, the stakes are higher than personal records. The outcome could be interpreted not just as a win or loss, but as a subtle, yet powerful, statement from the UFC itself – a reminder that while champions may influence, the ultimate decision-makers remain at the top. All eyes will be on Vancouver to see if Bekoev can deliver on his promise and send a resounding “no chama” heard all the way to “Poatan.”
Marcus Bellamy 
Connor Westbrook