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UFC return scheduled
Zalal is scheduled to compete against Billy Quarantillo in a featherweight fight at UFC Vegas 89 on March 23, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Zalal was released from the UFC after his majority draw with Da'Mon Blackshear at UFC on ESPN 41. He signed with the Sparta Combat League thereafter, going 3-0. After his opponent Quarantillo's fight with Gabriel Miranda fell through, Zalal offered to step in on short notice, giving himself a second lifeline with the UFC by taking this upcoming bout.
Zalal was released from the UFC after his majority draw with Da'Mon Blackshear at UFC on ESPN 41. He signed with the Sparta Combat League thereafter, going 3-0. After his opponent Quarantillo's fight with Gabriel Miranda fell through, Zalal offered to step in on short notice, giving himself a second lifeline with the UFC by taking this upcoming bout.
Salvages draw in San Diego
Zalal and Da'Mon Blackshear fought to a majority draw (28-29, 28-28, 28-28) at UFC on ESPN 41 on Saturday in San Diego.
ANALYSIS
The draw looks ugly on the surface and runs Zalal's winless streak to four straight fights, but it appeared for all the world as if he would be looking at a fourth straight loss (and a likely release from the company) following the first two rounds, so the fact Zalal was able to salvage anything out of this is a positive. To Youssef's credit, he got better as the fight progressed. Round 1 was lopsided in Blackshear's favor, Round 2 was close, and Round 3 was all Zalal. He did enough in the final frame to earn a 10-8 score from two of the three judges, prompting the draw. Zalal will still find himself in a must-win situation his next time out, but this result should ensure he gets another fight with the UFC.
The draw looks ugly on the surface and runs Zalal's winless streak to four straight fights, but it appeared for all the world as if he would be looking at a fourth straight loss (and a likely release from the company) following the first two rounds, so the fact Zalal was able to salvage anything out of this is a positive. To Youssef's credit, he got better as the fight progressed. Round 1 was lopsided in Blackshear's favor, Round 2 was close, and Round 3 was all Zalal. He did enough in the final frame to earn a 10-8 score from two of the three judges, prompting the draw. Zalal will still find himself in a must-win situation his next time out, but this result should ensure he gets another fight with the UFC.
Now facing Blackshear
Zalal will face a new opponent in Da'Mon Blackshear in a bantamweight matchup at a UFC event on Aug. 13, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Zalal will make his return to the Octagon against a new opponent, when he faces off against Blackshear. Zalal has lost his last three UFC fights, and he will look to bounce back in his return in August.
Zalal will make his return to the Octagon against a new opponent, when he faces off against Blackshear. Zalal has lost his last three UFC fights, and he will look to bounce back in his return in August.
Returning to Octagon in August
Zalal will take on Christian Quinonez in a bantamweight bout at the UFC event Aug. 13, Carlos Contreras Legaspi of ESPN Deportes reports.
ANALYSIS
Zalal will be in the Octagon for the first time since he lost to Sean Woodson by split decision in June of 2021. Quinonez will be making his UFC debut after earning a contract with the promotion last October.
Zalal will be in the Octagon for the first time since he lost to Sean Woodson by split decision in June of 2021. Quinonez will be making his UFC debut after earning a contract with the promotion last October.
Comes up short against Woodson
Zalal lost to Sean Woodson via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC Vegas 28 on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Zalal seemingly won the first round after securing a takedown and outlanding Woodson 17 to 11 in significant strikes. His wrestling success ended there, however, as he finished the fight just 2-for-17 in takedown attempts. The final striking totals were relatively even, but the judges ultimately valued Woodson's efforts on the feet over Zalal's largely unsuccessful efforts to get the fight to the mat. While Zalal entered with quite a bit of steam as a prospect, he's now followed up his 3-0 start with the company with three consecutive losses. He'll need a win in the worst way possible his next time out.
Zalal seemingly won the first round after securing a takedown and outlanding Woodson 17 to 11 in significant strikes. His wrestling success ended there, however, as he finished the fight just 2-for-17 in takedown attempts. The final striking totals were relatively even, but the judges ultimately valued Woodson's efforts on the feet over Zalal's largely unsuccessful efforts to get the fight to the mat. While Zalal entered with quite a bit of steam as a prospect, he's now followed up his 3-0 start with the company with three consecutive losses. He'll need a win in the worst way possible his next time out.