Middleweight: Marco Tulio Silva vs. Yousri Belgaroui
Tale of the tape
28-years-old
6’0″
São Paulo, Brazil
Chute Boxe Diego lima
9-1
6 KO/TKOs, 1 Submission
Combined opponent’s record: 77-41-2
31-years-old
6’5″
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Teixeira MMA & Fitness
5-2
4 KO/TKOs
Combined opponent’s record: 22-23
Pros and Cons
Marco Tulio Silva
Pros
- Explosive
- Good leg kicks
- Diverse
- Hard to read
- Good knees
- Mixes in takedown well
- Dangerous in exchanges
Cons
- TDD needs some work
- Tends to reach with his punches
- Exposed when rushing in
Yousri Belgaroui
Pros
- Heavy leg kicks
- Solid kickboxing
- Good knees
- Long jab
- Good straight punches
- Nice straight punches
- Good shot-selection
- Good distance control
Cons
- TDD needs work
- Chin up
- Slows as the fight goes
- Hands drop over time
Who has the advantage?
Striking: Belgaroui
Speed: Belgaroui
Output/Volume: Even
Kickboxing: Belgaroui
Striking defense: Silva
Footwork/movement: Belgaroui
Wrestling: Silva
Grappling: Silva
Gas tank: Silva
Prediction: Silva was supposed to fight Valentine Woodburn but Woodburn got sacrificed to fight Bo Nickal. Now, Silva has a tougher fight in Belgaroui but as fans, we now have a much better fight. No matter what we are going to get a good fighter in the middleweight division.
Silva had a breakout performance last year when he beat former UFC fighter Glaico França. To help his resume he debuted for LFA in January and had a stellar performance. Belgaroui has been over in Abu Dhabi. He has an extensive background in kickboxing before coming to MMA two years ago. Belgaroui has a kickboxing record of 27-7 and is a three-time Glory title challenger.
Watching Silva’s tape I was a little disappointed thinking he was much better than what he is. He’s very talented but isn’t putting it together enough. In this fight, he could find a lot of success anywhere the fight goes. Belgaroui struggles with takedown defense and is bound to get knocked out the way he holds his chin. Belgaroui is a dangerous offensive striker with his kickboxing and length. I rate his striking more than I do Silva. Although Belgaroui has a worrisome striking defense he’s never been finished where Silva has been knocked out before. I don’t see Silva as a good enough wrestler to be able to make a big difference there. In a pure striking fight, I favor Belgaroui. Belgaroui I believe can use his distance and pick apart Silva with his long punches and superior kickboxing. Sure, Silva could find the knockout but I like Belgaroui in this fight because his chin has held up thus far.
