Dutch UFC Fighter (33) Proves Himself with Stunning KO Victory Against Undefeated Opponent

The 33-year-old Belgaroui secured his second UFC victory in less than six months in Seattle. After defeating Azamat Bekoev in October 2025, he now added American Abdul-Malik to his list of conquests. Deep into the third round, the Dutchman landed a powerful knee to his opponent's face, sending the American to the canvas. The referee immediately recognized the severity of the blow, signaling the end of the fight and a win for Belgaroui.

Belgaroui began to dominate in the second round, after a tentative start in the first. Abdul-Malik went down at the end of the second round but was saved by the bell. The 6-foot-5 Dutchman couldn't finish the fight then, but he held a clear advantage in the third round. Abdul-Malik was battered across the octagon, and it was only a matter of time before Belgaroui emerged victorious.

With his second UFC win, Belgaroui has finally made an impression on boss Dana White. His previous victory came as a late replacement, and with his second consecutive knockout, the middleweight (up to 84 kilograms) can now expect a fight against a top-fifteen ranked opponent sometime in 2026. The middleweight division boasts elite names such as champion Khamzat Chimaev, Dricus Du Plessis, Israel Adesanya, and Sean Strickland.

The only other active Dutchman in the UFC, Reinier de Ridder, was also a middleweight until his recent loss earlier this year. However, he announced his intention to move up a weight class and will try his hand in the light heavyweight division. There, he will find himself in the same division as Belgaroui's regular sparring partner: reigning champion Alex Pereira.