Youssef Zalal has confirmed his departure from Factory X after spending his entire professional career with the gym under coach Marc Montoya. The UFC featherweight, whose eight-fight winning streak was ended by Aljamain Sterling at UFC Fight Night 274 in April, says Montoya may still appear at ringside but will no longer be in his corner. Zalal has been training with coach Trevor Wittman and UFC lightweight Fares Ziam as he evaluates his next move.
Youssef Zalal has confirmed he is leaving Factory X, the gym where he trained throughout his entire professional career, marking a significant shift for the UFC featherweight contender.
Zalal, 29, built his reputation at Factory X under coach Marc Montoya, compiling an 18-6-1 record that currently places him eighth in the featherweight division. Known as "The Moroccan Devil," the switch-stance fighter out of the United States has shown well-rounded skills inside the octagon, averaging 3.03 significant strikes per minute alongside a strong grappling game that produces 2.17 takedowns and 1.4 submission attempts per 15 minutes. His run of eight consecutive wins came to an end against Aljamain Sterling at UFC Fight Night 274 in April, a loss that has now preceded this major training camp change. Zalal noted that Montoya may still appear at ringside for future bouts but will no longer serve in his corner.
Sterling, the opponent who snapped Zalal's streak, carries a 26-5-0 record and sits fourth in the featherweight rankings. The 37-year-old "Funk Master" averages an impressive 4.45 significant strikes per minute with 52 percent accuracy, making him one of the division's most active and dangerous fighters.
As Zalal reassesses his path forward, he has been spending time training with coach Trevor Wittman and French lightweight Fares Ziam. Ziam, the 29-year-old "Smile Killer" from France, holds an 18-4-0 professional record and carries a 75-inch reach, landing strikes at a 51 percent accuracy clip with solid wrestling credentials of his own.
Why it matters
- Zalal sits eighth in the featherweight rankings, so a coaching change could meaningfully affect his trajectory toward the top five.
- Linking up with Trevor Wittman, a well-regarded coach, signals Zalal is targeting a higher level of preparation.
- His blend of striking volume and grappling output makes him a divisional threat, and refining either area under new guidance raises his ceiling.
