Summary
Youssef Zalal in victory at UFC Vegas 95. Photo: Reproduction/UFC
Close to appearing in an Ultimate main event for the first time this Saturday (25), Youssef Zalal has the opportunity to add the first former champion to his record in the confrontation against Aljamain Sterling . However, in addition to the possibility of extending his winning streak and gaining positions in the featherweight ranking (up to 65,7 kg), the fighter also aims to stand out in the media with the victory against Aljo. He spoke about the subject during the UFC Vegas 116 media day last Wednesday (22).
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When discussing the comparison of their resumes made by sports fans, the Moroccan Demon expressed a desire to use the former champion's popularity as a platform for his development as an athlete, as well as an important step in his climb to success in the sport.
“It’s crazy, it’s making my resume look like crap. It’s really crazy, I saw them saying things like, ‘Oh, Youssef hasn’t fought anyone. His only win was against Josh Emmett ,’ and all that. They also say, ‘ Calvin Kattar is 0-5,’ and other things like that. I was like, ‘These guys also fought these guys! I don’t know what to say!’ This is my time, I was young, these guys were in the UFC. I thought: it is what it is – but that’s the beauty of this sport. You fight one of these guys, win, and practically steal his resume,” he stated.
Youssef Zalal is 7-2 as a UFC Favorite
1 of those losses was against Ilia Topuria 🤯 in 2020 (Ilia's UFC debut)
Since returning in 2024, Zalal is 5-0. He opened a dog against Billy Q, but closed a favorite. Every fight since he closed -300 or higher pic.twitter.com/gyoVomHjrp
— Liam Picks Fights (@LiamPicksFights) April 22, 2026
Youssef Zalal is experiencing the best phase of his career in the UFC.
Youssef Zalal submits Josh Emmett at UFC 320. Photo: Reproduction
At 29 years old, the Moroccan is in his second stint in the world's biggest MMA event. Between 2020 and 2022, he competed in seven fights in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), being released after four fights without a win. He returned two years later and since then has defeated five opponents in the company. In total, he has eight consecutive wins as a professional and now occupies the seventh position in the featherweight division ranking (up to 65,7 kg).
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