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Youssef Zalal

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Youssef Zalal
Born (1996-09-04) September 4, 1996 (age 28)
Casablanca, Morocco
Other namesThe Moroccan Devil
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight145 lb (66 kg; 10 st 5 lb)
DivisionBantamweight (2022)
Featherweight (2017-2021, 2022-present)
Lightweight (2017)
Reach72 in (183 cm)[1]
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofDenver, Colorado, U.S.
TeamFactory X
RankBrown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[1]
Years active2017–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total22
Wins16
By knockout4
By submission9
By decision3
Losses5
By decision5
Draws1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Youssef Zalal (Arabic: يوسف زلال;[2] born September 4, 1996) is a Moroccan professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Early life

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Zalal grew up fighting other kids on the streets of Casablanca in Sidi Bernoussi. His mother put him in kickboxing at the age of 10 to help control his anger. Zalal moved to the United States at age 15.[3]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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In the beginning of his mixed martial arts career, Zalal fought primarily on the regional circuit in Colorado compiling a 7-2 record, with most of his fights happening for Legacy Fighting Alliance.[4]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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In his promotional debut, Youssef faced fellow newcomer Austin Lingo on February 8, 2020, at UFC 247.[5] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[6]

Youssef faced Jordan Griffin on June 27, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Poirier vs. Hooker.[7] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[8]

Zalal faced Peter Barrett at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Oleinik on August 8, 2020.[9] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[10]

Zalal was expected to face Seung Woo Choi on October 11, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 179.[11] However, on October 1, 2020, Choi withdrew from the fight and was replaced by Ilia Topuria.[12] Zalal lost the fight via unanimous decision.[13]

Zalal faced Seung Woo Choi, replacing Collin Anglin, on February 6, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 184.[14] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[15]

Zalal faced Sean Woodson on June 5, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai.[16] He lost the fight via split decision.[17]

Zalal was scheduled to face Cristian Quiñonez on August 13, 2022, at UFC on ESPN: Vera vs. Cruz.[18] However, Quiñonez was forced out of the event due to visa issues, and was replaced by Da'Mon Blackshear.[19] The fight ended in a majority draw.[20]

On August 25, 2022, it was announced that Zalal had been released from the UFC.[21]

Post UFC career

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Following his release from the UFC, Youssef Zalal made a strong comeback in the MMA circuit. He showcased his skills at Sparta 93 on November 18, 2022, where he triumphed over Edwin Chavez via TKO within the first round. Zalal continued his winning streak on January 20, 2023, at SCL: Fight Night 14 - King of Sparta Welterweight, defeating Jake Childers also by TKO in the first round. His remarkable run persisted as he secured another victory on August 19, 2023, at Sparta Combat League 98, submitting Vadim Zadnipryanyi with an arm-triangle choke in the first round.[22]

Return to UFC

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Zalal faced Billy Quarantillo, replacing Gabriel Miranda, on March 23, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 53.[23] He won the bout by a rear-naked choke submission in the second round.[24]

Zalal faced Jarno Errens on August 10, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 61.[25] He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.[26] This fight earned him a Performance of the Night award.[27]

Zalal faced Jack Shore on November 2, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 246.[28] He won the fight via an arm-triangle choke in the second round.[29] This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.[30]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
22 matches 16 wins 5 losses
By knockout 4 0
By submission 9 0
By decision 3 5
Draws 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 16–5–1 Jack Shore Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Albazi November 2, 2024 2 0:59 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Performance of the Night.
Win 15–5–1 Jarno Errens Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ESPN: Tybura vs. Spivac 2 August 10, 2024 1 3:52 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 14–5–1 Billy Quarantillo Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ESPN: Ribas vs. Namajunas March 23, 2024 2 1:50 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 13–5–1 Vadim Zadnipryanyi Submission (arm-triangle choke) Sparta Combat League 98 August 19, 2023 1 3:48 Superior, Colorado, United States
Win 12–5–1 Jake Childers TKO (punches) Sparta Combat League: Fight Night 14 January 20, 2023 1 1:53 Aurora, Colorado, United States
Win 11–5–1 Edwin Chavez TKO (punches) Sparta Combat League 93 November 18, 2022 1 3:44 Denver, Colorado, United States Return to Featherweight.
Draw 10–5–1 Da'Mon Blackshear Draw (majority) UFC on ESPN: Vera vs. Cruz August 13, 2022 3 5:00 San Diego, California, United States Bantamweight debut.
Loss 10–5 Sean Woodson Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai June 5, 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 10–4 Choi Seung-woo Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Volkov February 6, 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 10–3 Ilia Topuria Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen October 11, 2020 3 5:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Win 10–2 Peter Barrett Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Oleinik August 8, 2020 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 9–2 Jordan Griffin Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Poirier vs. Hooker June 27, 2020 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 8–2 Austin Lingo Decision (unanimous) UFC 247 February 8, 2020 3 5:00 Houston, Texas, United States
Win 7–2 Jaime Hernandez KO (flying knee) LFA 79 November 22, 2019 1 2:15 Broomfield, Colorado, United States Catchweight (140 lb) bout.
Loss 6–2 Matt Jones Decision (split) LFA 65 May 3, 2019 3 5:00 Vail, Colorado, United States
Loss 6–1 Jose Mariscal Decision (unanimous) LFA 57 January 18, 2019 3 5:00 Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Win 6–0 Steven Merrill Submission (brabo choke) LFA 56 December 7, 2018 1 3:22 Prior Lake, Minnesota, United States
Win 5–0 Daniel Soto Submission (rear-naked choke) LFA 39 May 4, 2018 2 1:38 Vail, Colorado, United States
Win 4–0 Joey Banks Submission (armbar) Paramount MMA: Contenders March 16, 2018 3 1:58 Denver, Colorado, United States
Win 3–0 Clay Wimer Submission (guillotine choke) Mile High MMAyhem 1 October 27, 2017 2 2:42 Glendale, Colorado, United States Return to Featherweight.
Win 2–0 Maurice Salazar TKO (punches) LFA 22 September 8, 2017 2 4:41 Broomfield, Colorado, United States Lightweight debut.
Win 1–0 Michael Santos Submission (brabo choke) Sparta Combat League 61 August 19, 2017 3 1:38 Denver, Colorado, United States Featherweight debut.

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Youssef Zalal | UFC". UFC.com. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  2. ^ Azzam, Amr (2024-03-25). "يوسف زلال بعد عودته إلى UFC: "أنا أحد أفضل المقاتلين في العالم"" [Youssef Zalal after his return to the UFC: “I am one of the best fighters in the world”]. arabsmma (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  3. ^ "Youssef Zalal is ready for the spotlight". UFC.
  4. ^ Sherdog.com. "Youssef". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-08-08.
  5. ^ Nolan King and Mike Bohn (2020-01-29). "UFC 247 adds last-minute bout between newcomers Austin Lingo and Youssef Zalal". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-08-18.
  6. ^ Shillan, Keith (2020-07-08). "UFC 247 Results: Youssef Zalal earns unanimous decision over fellow newcomer Austin Lingo". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
  7. ^ MMA Fighting (2020-06-19). "Jordan Griffin vs. Youssef Zalal added to June 27 UFC show in Las Vegas". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-08-18.
  8. ^ Doherty, Dan (2020-06-27). "UFC on ESPN 12 results: Youssef Zalal outworks Jordan Griffin". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-06-27.
  9. ^ King, Nolan (2020-07-08). "UFC on ESPN+ 32's Peter Barrett predicts 'ugly, bloody, disgusting, savage' fight vs. Youssef Zalalo". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 2020-07-05.
  10. ^ Doherty, Dan (2020-08-08). "UFC Vegas 6 Results: Youssef Zalal outclasses Peter Barrett". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-08-08.
  11. ^ David Tees (2020-08-17). "Youssef Zalal faces Seungwoo Choi at UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen". fightful.com. Retrieved 2020-08-18.
  12. ^ DNA, MMA (2020-10-02). "Toptalent Ilia Topuria tekent bij de UFC, treft Youssef Zalal op 10 oktober in Abu Dhabi". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  13. ^ Bitter, Shawn (2020-10-10). "UFC Fight Island 5 Results: Ilia Topuria Stays Undefeated in Debut Win Over Youssef Zalal". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  14. ^ DNA, MMA (2021-01-28). "BREAKING: Youssef Zalal vervangt Collin Anglin tegen Seung Woo Choi op 6 februari". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  15. ^ Evanoff, Josh (2021-02-06). "UFC Vegas 18 Results: After Over a Year Away, Seung Woo Choi Defeats Youssef Zalal". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
  16. ^ Farah Hannoun and Nolan King (2021-03-12). "Youssef Zalal vs. Sean Woodson added to UFC Fight Night on June 5". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-03-12.
  17. ^ Behunin, Alex (2021-06-05). "UFC Vegas 28 Results: Sean Woodson Back in Win Column with Split Decision Over Zalal". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-06-06.
  18. ^ "Cristian Quiñonez vs. Youssef Zalal agregado a UFC San Diego - MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español". mma.uno (in Spanish). 2022-07-27. Retrieved 2022-07-30.
  19. ^ Nolan King and Farah Hannoun (2022-08-03). "CFFC bantamweight champ Da'Mon Blackshear signs with UFC, faces Youssef Zalal in San Diego". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-08-03.
  20. ^ Bitter, Shawn (2022-08-13). "UFC San Diego: Youssef Zalal and Da'Mon Blackshear Fight to Draw". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
  21. ^ Taylor, Christopher (2022-08-25). "The UFC parts ways with four more fighters". | BJPenn.com. Retrieved 2022-08-26.
  22. ^ "Road to redemption: Morocco's Youssef Zalal beats 3 men in single night to earn another UFC crack". Arab News. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  23. ^ Diego Martinez (2024-03-12). "Billy Quarantillo vs. Youssef Zalal added to UFC Vegas 89". mmaaldia.com. Retrieved 2024-03-16. (in Spanish)
  24. ^ Dewar, Val (2024-03-24). "UFC Vegas 89: Youssef Zalal Showcases Improvements in UFC Return, Submits Billy Q". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  25. ^ "UFC Vegas 95 | Jarno Errens vecht voor tweede UFC overwinning tegen Youssef Zalal in Las Vegas". Eurosport (in Dutch). 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  26. ^ Val Dewar (2024-08-10). "UFC Vegas 95: Youssef Zalal Submits Errens, Stays Perfect in Second UFC Run". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
  27. ^ a b Chris Taylor (2024-08-10). "UFC Vegas 95 Bonus Report: Serghei Spivac one of three fighters to take home an extra $50k". bjpenn.com. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
  28. ^ Jay Anderson (2024-10-09). "Jack Shore vs. Youssef Zalal Added to UFC Edmonton". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  29. ^ Bryson Hester (2024-11-02). "Youssef Zalal Lands Nasty Knee, Submits Shore". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
  30. ^ a b Chris Taylor (2024-11-02). "UFC Edmonton Bonus Report: Dustin Stoltzfus one of four fighters to take home an extra $50k". bjpenn.com. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
  31. ^ Sherdog.com. "Youssef". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-07-25.
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