Yussef Zalal to headline UFC event for first time in career

Yussef Zalal will headline a UFC event this weekend for the first time in his career. The Moroccan fighter debuted in the UFC in 2020, winning his first three fights before experiencing a rough patch with three losses and one draw. He then moved to the American promotion Sparta, where he secured three first-round finishes. Zalal returned to the UFC in 2024 and won three fights by submission before earning ranked opponents. He defeated Calvin Kattar by decision and then submitted Josh Emmett in the first round. The 29-year-old currently sits at number 7 in the featherweight rankings, directly behind Jean Silva, and could enter the top 5 with a victory over Sterling.