Youssef_Zalal
Youssef Zalal
Moroccan mixed martial artist (born 1996)
Youssef Zalal (born September 4, 1996) is a Moroccan professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
| Youssef Zalal | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1996-09-04) September 4, 1996 (age 27) Casablanca, Morocco |
| Other names | The Moroccan Devil |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Weight | 145 lb (66 kg; 10 st 5 lb) |
| Division | Bantamweight (2022) Featherweight (2017-2021, 2022-present) Lightweight (2017) |
| Reach | 72 in (183 cm)[1] |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting out of | Denver, Colorado, U.S. |
| Team | Factory X |
| Rank | Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[1] |
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 20 |
| Wins | 14 |
| By knockout | 4 |
| By submission | 7 |
| By decision | 3 |
| Losses | 5 |
| By decision | 5 |
| Draws | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Zalal grew up fighting other kids on the streets of Morocco. 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.[2]
Early career
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.[3]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
In his promotional debut, Youssef faced fellow newcomer Austin Lingo on February 8, 2020, at UFC 247.[4] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[5]
Youssef faced Jordan Griffin on June 27, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Poirier vs. Hooker.[6] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[7]
Zalal faced Peter Barrett at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Oleinik on August 8, 2020.[8] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[9]
Zalal was expected to face Seung Woo Choi on October 11, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 179.[10] However, on October 1, 2020, Choi withdrew from the fight and was replaced by Ilia Topuria.[11] Zalal lost the fight via unanimous decision.[12]
Zalal faced Seung Woo Choi, replacing Collin Anglin, on February 6, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 184.[13] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[14]
Zalal faced Sean Woodson on June 5, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai.[15] He lost the fight via split decision.[16]
Zalal was scheduled to face Cristian Quiñonez on August 13, 2022, at UFC on ESPN: Vera vs. Cruz.[17] However, Quiñonez was forced out of the event due to visa issues, and was replaced by Da'Mon Blackshear.[18] The fight ended in a majority draw.[19]
On August 25, 2022, it was announced that Zalal had been released from the UFC.[20]
Post UFC career
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.[21]
Return to UFC
Zalal faced Billy Quarantillo, replacing Gabriel Miranda, on March 23, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 53.[22] He won the bout by a rear-naked choke submission in the second round.[23]
| 20 matches | 14 wins | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 4 | 0 |
| By submission | 7 | 0 |
| By decision | 3 | 5 |
| Draws | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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) | SCL 61: Bad Blood | August 19, 2017 | 3 | 1:38 | Denver, Colorado, United States | Featherweight debut. |
- "Youssef Zalal | UFC". UFC.com. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
- 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.
- Shillan, Keith (2020-07-08). "UFC 247 Results: Youssef Zalal earns unanimous decision over fellow newcomer Austin Lingo". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
- 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.
- Doherty, Dan (2020-06-27). "UFC on ESPN 12 results: Youssef Zalal outworks Jordan Griffin". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-06-27.
- 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.
- Doherty, Dan (2020-08-08). "UFC Vegas 6 Results: Youssef Zalal outclasses Peter Barrett". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-08-08.
- David Tees (2020-08-17). "Youssef Zalal faces Seungwoo Choi at UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen". fightful.com. Retrieved 2020-08-18.
- 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.
- 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.
- DNA, MMA (2021-01-28). "BREAKING: Youssef Zalal vervangt Collin Anglin tegen Seung Woo Choi op 6 februari". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- "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.
- 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.
- Bitter, Shawn (2022-08-13). "UFC San Diego: Youssef Zalal and Da'Mon Blackshear Fight to Draw". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
- Taylor, Christopher (2022-08-25). "The UFC parts ways with four more fighters". | BJPenn.com. Retrieved 2022-08-26.
- "Road to redemption: Morocco's Youssef Zalal beats 3 men in single night to earn another UFC crack". Arab News. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
- Diego Martinez (2024-03-12). "Billy Quarantillo vs. Youssef Zalal added to UFC Vegas 89". mmaaldia.com. Retrieved 2024-03-16. (in Spanish)
- Dewar, Val (2024-03-24). "UFC Vegas 89: Youssef Zalal Showcases Improvements in UFC Return, Submits Billy Q". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-03-24.