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 suffering three losses and a draw. He left for 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 facing ranked opponents. He defeated Calvin Kattar by decision and then submitted Josh Emmett in the first round. Now ranked seventh in the featherweight division, directly behind Jean Silva, a victory over Sterling could push him into the top five. Zalal is 29 years old.