Youssef Zalal to headline UFC event for first time this weekend

Moroccan fighter Youssef Zalal will headline a UFC event for the first time in his career this weekend. The 29-year-old debuted in the UFC in 2020, winning his first three fights before going winless in his next four bouts (three losses and one draw). After competing in Sparta promotion where he secured three first-round finishes, Zalal returned to the UFC in 2024 with renewed success. He has since won three fights by submission, defeated ranked opponent Calvin Kattar by decision, and submitted Josh Emmett in the first round. Zalal currently sits at number 7 in the featherweight rankings, just behind Jean Silva, and could enter the top 5 with a victory over Aljamain Sterling.