Youssef Zalal to headline UFC card for first time this weekend

Youssef Zalal will headline a UFC event for the first time in his career this weekend. The 29-year-old Moroccan fighter debuted in the promotion in 2020 and started with three consecutive wins, but then suffered three losses and one draw. He departed to the American promotion Sparta, where he secured three first-round finishes. Zalal returned to the UFC in 2024 and earned three submission victories before facing ranked opposition. He defeated Calvin Kattar by decision, then submitted Josh Emmett in the first round. Currently ranked number seven at featherweight, directly behind Jean Silva, a victory over Aljamain Sterling could propel him into the top five of the division.