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 suffering three losses and a draw, which led to his release. Zalal went to the American promotion Sparta and secured three first-round finishes. He returned to the UFC in 2024 and has since won three fights by submission, then defeated ranked opponents Calvin Kattar by decision and Josh Emmett by first-round armbar. Zalal currently sits at No. 7 in the featherweight rankings, just behind Jean Silva, and could enter the top five with a victory over Aljamain Sterling.