Youssef Zalal

The Moroccan Devil

Morocco

Third straight submission win
FeatherweightUFC
November 2, 2024
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.
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Will take on Jack Shore
FeatherweightUFC
October 9, 2024
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.
Dominates as massive favorite
FeatherweightUFC
August 10, 2024
Zalal defeated Jarno Errens via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:52 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Zalal returned to the Octagon in March after nearly two years away and responded with a brilliant effort in a submission win over a tough customer in Billy Quarantillo. That strong effort made him a massive -500 favorite against Errens, and he didn't disappoint. Knowing full well of his opponent's struggles with grappling, Zalal secured an easy takedown before flawlessly transitioning to the back and choking Errens out. The finish would go on to earn him one of three $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses awarded on the evening. Still just 27 years of age, Zalal has made legitimate improvements and is a fighter to keep an eye on moving forward at 145 pounds.
Scheduled against Errens
FeatherweightUFC
May 24, 2024
Zalal is scheduled to compete against Jarno Errens in a featherweight fight at UFC Vegas 95 on Aug. 10, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Both Zalal and Errens are trying to establish a winning streak with their scheduled fight. While Errens defeated Steven Nguyen via unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 88, Zalal forced Billy Quarantillo to submit in the second round of their fight at UFC Vegas 89.
Dominates in return to Octagon
FeatherweightUFC
March 23, 2024
Zalal defeated Billy Quarantillo via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:50 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
When was last saw Zalal in August 2022, he was involved in a majority draw against a quality opponent in Da'Mon Blackshear. He left the UFC and earned three first-round stoppage wins before returning this evening and absolutely dominating Quarantillo from bell-to-bell. Simply put, Billy was unable to keep up or match the physicality of his opponent. Zalal went the full 15 minutes with current UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria back in October 2022, so he's been in there with elite competition. Getting elite training with Marc Montoya and the crew at Factory X in Colorado every day, it would be foolish to write Zalal off just yet.
UFC return scheduled
FeatherweightUFC
March 11, 2024
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.