Youssef began practicing Muay Thai at the age of 12 and moved to Thailand with his brother Yassine Boughanem at 17 to focus on training fulltime after the loss of both his parents. His first stop was at the famed Jocky Gym in Bangkok. Yassine is a Muay Thai fighter in the heavyweight and super heavyweight divisions and has won WBC, WPMF, and WKN world titles.[2]
2010
He gained prominence when he competed in the first-ever Thai Fight event in 2010. On August 29, 2010, he defeated Australia's Jason Lea in the round-of-sixteen. He then defeated Ireland's Anthony Kane via extra-round decision in the quarter-finals on October 25, 2010. On December 6, 2010, Boughanem defeated Soichiro Miyakoshi to advance to the final round of the Thai Fight tournament. That same night, he lost to Fabio Pinca in the final, where he finished as the runner-up in the 2010 Thai Fight 67 kg Tournament.
After his first Thai Fight outing, Boughanem fought for different programs around Thailand and France. He eventually returned in 2013 when Thai Fight unveiled their new format: THAI FIGHT Kard Chuek. This format saw fighters wearing rope bindings instead of gloves (Muay Kard Chuek) and would eventually become the defining characteristic for subsequent Thai Fight events. Youssef Boughanem would enter the inaugural THAI FIGHT Kard Chuek tournament. On June 1, 2013, he defeated Salahdine Ait Naceur by second-round knockout in the 1/16 finals. He then beat Sebastien Billard in the 1/8 finals by first-round knockout on June 15, 2013.
On July 14, 2013, Boughanem faced Burmese fighter Zaw Tum in the quarterfinals and won by decision. Zaw Tum is better known as Tun Tun Min and went on to become openweight Lethwei World Champion.
On July 29, 2013, Boughanem was eliminated from the tournament when he lost in the semifinal round by decision to Saiyok Pumpanmuang, who eventually finished as the THAI FIGHT Kard Chuek tournament runner-up.
2015
2015 THAI FIGHT Champion
After an absence from the promotion in 2014, Youssef Boughanem made his return to Thai Fight in late 2015, appearing at THAI FIGHT Vietnam on October 24, 2015. There, he faced Russian fighter Yurik Davtyan and won by decision. Later on, he entered the 2015 THAI FIGHT 72.5 kg tournament. In the tournament semifinals, Boughanem defeated Rungrawee P.K.SaenchaiMuaythaiGym at THAI FIGHT RPCA on November 21, 2015. On December 31, 2015, he defeated Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee at THAI FIGHT Count Down to win the 2015 THAI FIGHT 72.5 kg tournament and capture his first Thai Fight title.
Omnoi Stadium Middleweight Champion
On August 15, 2015, Youssef Boughanem defeated Rungrawee P.K.SaenchaiMuaythaiGym by third-round knockout to capture the Omnoi Stadium middleweight title. He successfully defended the Omnoi Stadium title against Chanajon P.K. Saenchai Muaythaigym by five-round decision on September 26 of the same year.
2016
On June 24, 2016, Youssef Boughanem defeated Armen Petrosyan via three-decision in Monte Carlo to win the WAKO Pro 71.8 kg Championship.
Rajadamnern Stadium Middleweight Champion
On August 31, 2016, he defeated Kompetch Lookprabat by fourth-round knockout to capture the Rajadamnern Stadium middleweight championship.
2018
WBC Muay Thai World Middleweight Champion
On February 26, 2018, Boughanem retained the Rajadamnern title against Noppakaw Siriluck Muaythai by third-round knockout at Phoenix 5 Bangkok, which also saw him winning the WBC Muay Thai Middleweight World Championship.[5]
On May 22, 2018, Youssef Boughanem defeated Talaytong Sor. Thanaphet by fourth-round TKO to win the Lumpinee Stadium middleweight championship.[7]
He retained the WBC Muay Thai title against Kongjak Por. Pao In on October 13, 2018, where he also won the ISKA Muay Thai light middleweight title.[8]
He defended the WBC Muay Thai title a third time against Joe Craven on April 22, 2019, winning by fourth-round TKO.[9] Boughanem successfully retained the WBC Muay Thai belt in his fourth title defense against Tobias Alexandersson on November 16, 2019, winning a five-round decision.[10]
Boughanem was originally scheduled to defend his WBC Muay Thai belt against Liam Nolan on July 17 at PSM Fight Night. However, travel restrictions between the UK and Belgium prevented Nolan from making the fight. Nolan would be replaced by Niclas Larsen.[11] On July 17, 2021, Youssef Boughanem defeated Niclas Larsen to retain the WBC Muay Thai middleweight title, as well as capture the WBC Muay Thai Diamond middleweight championship.[12]
Boughanem was scheduled to defend his WBC Muaythai Middleweight title against Liam Nolan at A Night to Remember on November 7, 2021.[13] He lost the fight and the title by split decision, ending his three-year reign as WBC world champion.[14]
Boughanem was booked to face David Pennimpede on March 26, 2022.[15]
WKN World Super Welterweight Muay Thai champion
On April 22, 2019 in Brussels, Belgium Boughanem defeated Joe Craven by TKO in the fourth round and became the WKN World super welterweight champion in Muay Thai.[16]
On June 25, 2022 in Liege, Belgium Boughanem made the first successful defense of his WKN World super welterweight title by knockout in the third round against Toni Romero at La Nuit Des Gladiateurs 2022.[17][18][19]
Glory
Youssef Boughanem made his debut for the European kickboxing promotion Glory against Stanislav Kazantsev at Glory 91 on April 27, 2024.[20] He won the fight by a second-round technical knockout.[21]
Mixed martial arts career
Youssef Boughanem made his mixed martial arts debut against Dmytro Glevka at FAF in Octogon on January 27, 2024. He won by second-round technical knockout.[22]
BRAVE Combat Federation
In 2024, Youssef Boughanem signed with Bahrain-based BRAVE Combat Federation to focus on his mixed martial arts career.[23] Boughanem will make his BRAVE CF debut at BRAVE CF 83 in the Netherlands.[24] He defeated Saad Touijar by second-round technical knockout.[25][26]
