NEW YORK – Yousri Belgaroui is ready to continue his rise through the middleweight division at UFC 334.
Belgaroui (11-3 MMA, 3-0 UFC) gets the biggest test of his career so far on Saturday when he takes on highly ranked contender Caio Borralho (18-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) on the main card at Madison Square Garden (Paramount+).
He feels more than ready for it, and will show he's prepared for this level of competition, and well beyond.
"A step up in opponent doesn't mean a lot to me because I always step up in opponents," Belgaroui told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday's media day. "I embrace the underdog position. But Madison Square Garden, New York, that's pretty crazy to me.
"I believe, obviously, I'm the better striker, and I'll win there, but
on the other hand, I've got to watch out for everything he's got. And him the same for me."
When asked bluntly if he thinks anyone can hang with him on the feet at 185 pounds, Belgaroui made it clear that he doesn't see it that way, and Borralho won't be the one.
"I think I'm the best striker in the middleweight division for sure," Belgaroui said. "I truly believe 100 percent I will knock him out. I don't know when. I don't know how."
Just three fights into his UFC career, Belgaroui is on the doorstep of becoming a title contender. It has some similarities to his teammate Alex Pereira, who had an unprecedented rise from debut to becoming a world champion.
Belgaroui isn't trying to match that lofty achievement, but he appreciated any comparisons seen between "Poatan" and himself.
"I don't see the comparison right away, but the fact I've been knocking out people, and he's been knocking out people, it kind of makes sense," Belgaroui said. "We both come from a striking background, and we both train our asses off. I don't want to make that comparison because his legacy is there and it's amazing, and it's building."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 334's Yousri Belgaroui: 'I'm the best striker in the middleweight division'
