Youssef Zalal
The Moroccan Devil
Morocco
Easily taps Josh Emmett
Zalal defeated Josh Emmett via verbal submission (armbar) at 1:38 of Round 1 at UFC 320 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
You look at a result like this, and it's crazy to think Zalal was released from the UFC back in 2022 following a four-fight winless streak (0-3, 1NC). Upwards of a -500 favorite for a second straight fight, Zalal landed the easiest takedown you will ever see early on before expertly controlling and tapping Emmett on the mat. A win over Emmett in the latter stages of 2025 doesn't mean all that much, but Zalal continues to pass every test put in front of him with flying colors. The 29-year-old has won five straight, including four via submission, and is closing in on title-implicating bouts at 145 pounds.
You look at a result like this, and it's crazy to think Zalal was released from the UFC back in 2022 following a four-fight winless streak (0-3, 1NC). Upwards of a -500 favorite for a second straight fight, Zalal landed the easiest takedown you will ever see early on before expertly controlling and tapping Emmett on the mat. A win over Emmett in the latter stages of 2025 doesn't mean all that much, but Zalal continues to pass every test put in front of him with flying colors. The 29-year-old has won five straight, including four via submission, and is closing in on title-implicating bouts at 145 pounds.
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Gets step up against Emmett
Zalal will take on Josh Emmett in a featherweight matchup at UFC 320 on Oct. 4, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Zalal is due for a step up in competition after compiling four consecutive victories -- a streak that includes three submission wins, two of which merited post-fight bonuses. He'll get the No. 8-ranked Emmett as a result, a UFC veteran that has recently been relegated to gatekeeper status after dropping three of his last four fights. Zalal has better defensive striking numbers, but outside of a 2020 loss to Ilia Topuria, he has yet to face an opponent with the fight-ending power of Emmett. However, Zalal does have physical advantages, namely a four-inch edge in height and two-inch edge in reach (in addition to being more than 10 years younger). He also brings more of a grappling game to the table, though Emmett has been submitted just once in his 24-fight pro career.
Zalal is due for a step up in competition after compiling four consecutive victories -- a streak that includes three submission wins, two of which merited post-fight bonuses. He'll get the No. 8-ranked Emmett as a result, a UFC veteran that has recently been relegated to gatekeeper status after dropping three of his last four fights. Zalal has better defensive striking numbers, but outside of a 2020 loss to Ilia Topuria, he has yet to face an opponent with the fight-ending power of Emmett. However, Zalal does have physical advantages, namely a four-inch edge in height and two-inch edge in reach (in addition to being more than 10 years younger). He also brings more of a grappling game to the table, though Emmett has been submitted just once in his 24-fight pro career.
Easily handles Calvin Kattar
Zalal defeated Calvin Kattar via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Some were shocked to see Zalal upwards of a -500 favorite for this fight, but he proved worthy of the massive price tag. Zalal failed on all 11 of his takedown attempts, but they served to keep Kattar off-balance the entire fight. That allowed him to outland his opponent 43-10 in terms of significant strikes over the course of the first two rounds. Clearly up two rounds, Zalal eased off the gas pedal in the third, allowing Kattar to win the round. The damage was already done. A win over Calvin doesn't mean anywhere near as much these days as it did just a couple years ago, but Zalal continue to stack together quality victories. He has won four in a row since returning to the company for his second stint less than 11 months ago.
Some were shocked to see Zalal upwards of a -500 favorite for this fight, but he proved worthy of the massive price tag. Zalal failed on all 11 of his takedown attempts, but they served to keep Kattar off-balance the entire fight. That allowed him to outland his opponent 43-10 in terms of significant strikes over the course of the first two rounds. Clearly up two rounds, Zalal eased off the gas pedal in the third, allowing Kattar to win the round. The damage was already done. A win over Calvin doesn't mean anywhere near as much these days as it did just a couple years ago, but Zalal continue to stack together quality victories. He has won four in a row since returning to the company for his second stint less than 11 months ago.
Looks to build winning streak
Zalal will take on Calvin Kattar (undisclosed) in a featherweight matchup at UFC Vegas 102 on Feb. 15, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Zalal enters this fight riding a three-fight winning streak, all by way of submission within the first two rounds. He gets a major opportunity here to fight a big name in Kattar who has hit a rough spot of late, losing four of his last five. Wrestling will be key here for Zalal, who averages 2.34 takedowns per 15 minutes of fight time -- a number that is a bit deceiving given how quickly he finishes fights after getting his opponent down. Kattar defends takedowns at a 72 percent clip, but he was completely unable to do so in his last fight against Aljamain Sterling, who registered a total of eight in the 15-minute affair. If it does stay standing, both Zalal and Kattar measure up almost identically in both height and reach.
Zalal enters this fight riding a three-fight winning streak, all by way of submission within the first two rounds. He gets a major opportunity here to fight a big name in Kattar who has hit a rough spot of late, losing four of his last five. Wrestling will be key here for Zalal, who averages 2.34 takedowns per 15 minutes of fight time -- a number that is a bit deceiving given how quickly he finishes fights after getting his opponent down. Kattar defends takedowns at a 72 percent clip, but he was completely unable to do so in his last fight against Aljamain Sterling, who registered a total of eight in the 15-minute affair. If it does stay standing, both Zalal and Kattar measure up almost identically in both height and reach.
Third straight submission win
Zalal defeated Jack Shore via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 0:59 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Edmonton.
ANALYSIS
Zalal was released from the UFC back in 2022 after going through a four-fight winless streak (0-3, 1NC). He went back to the regional scene and won three in a row via first-round stoppage before returning in March. He's looked like a different man since rejoining the company. Zalal got off to a slow start against Shore, but quickly found his footing. He was dominating by the time the end of Round 1 hit and continued that into Round 2, crushing Shore with a knee right up the middle which led to the submission victory. Improving each time we see him, Zalal looks like a legitimate future threat in a loaded featherweight division. He deserves a stiffer challenge his next time out. He's earned it.
Zalal was released from the UFC back in 2022 after going through a four-fight winless streak (0-3, 1NC). He went back to the regional scene and won three in a row via first-round stoppage before returning in March. He's looked like a different man since rejoining the company. Zalal got off to a slow start against Shore, but quickly found his footing. He was dominating by the time the end of Round 1 hit and continued that into Round 2, crushing Shore with a knee right up the middle which led to the submission victory. Improving each time we see him, Zalal looks like a legitimate future threat in a loaded featherweight division. He deserves a stiffer challenge his next time out. He's earned it.
Will take on Jack Shore
Zalal will take on Jack Shore at UFC Edmonton on Nov. 2, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Zalal is coming off a huge win over Jarno Errens in his most recent fight, which was also his first bout in almost two years. He'll aim to end the year on a solid note against an opponent who owns a 6-2 record at the UFC level despite being part of the company since 2018. Zalal should be the overwhelming favorite for this contest.
Zalal is coming off a huge win over Jarno Errens in his most recent fight, which was also his first bout in almost two years. He'll aim to end the year on a solid note against an opponent who owns a 6-2 record at the UFC level despite being part of the company since 2018. Zalal should be the overwhelming favorite for this contest.