Youssef Zalal

Early life Zalal grew up fighting other kids on the streets of Morocco. To help control his anger, his mother enrolled him in kickboxing at the age of 10. He moved to the United States at age 15.

Mixed martial arts career Early career In the beginning of his mixed martial arts career, Zalal fought primarily on the regional circuit in Colorado compiling a 7-2 record, with most of his fights happening for Legacy Fighting Alliance.

Ultimate Fighting Championship In his promotional debut, Youssef faced fellow newcomer Austin Lingo on February 8, 2020, at UFC 247. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Youssef faced Jordan Griffin on June 27, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Poirier vs. Hooker. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Zalal faced Peter Barrett at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Oleinik on August 8, 2020. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Zalal was expected to face Seung Woo Choi on October 11, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 179. However, on October 1, 2020, Choi withdrew from the fight and was replaced by Ilia Topuria. Zalal lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Zalal faced Seung Woo Choi, replacing Collin Anglin, on February 6, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 184. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Zalal faced Sean Woodson on June 5, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai. He lost the fight via split decision.

Zalal was scheduled to face Cristian Quiñonez on August 13, 2022, at UFC on ESPN: Vera vs. Cruz. However, Quiñonez was forced out of the event due to visa issues, and was replaced by Da'Mon Blackshear. The fight ended in a majority draw.

On August 25, 2022, it was announced that Zalal had been released from the UFC.

Post UFC career Following his release from the UFC, Youssef Zalal made a strong comeback in the MMA circuit. He showcased his skills at Sparta 93 on November 18, 2022, where he triumphed over Edwin Chavez via TKO within the first round. Zalal continued his winning streak on January 20, 2023, at SCL: Fight Night 14 - King of Sparta Welterweight, defeating Jake Childers also by TKO in the first round. His remarkable run persisted as he secured another victory on August 19, 2023, at Sparta Combat League 98, submitting Vadim Zadnipryanyi with an arm-triangle choke in the first round.

Return to UFC Zalal faced Billy Quarantillo, replacing Gabriel Miranda, on March 23, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 53. He won the bout by a rear-naked choke submission in the second round.

Zalal faced Jarno Errens on August 10, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 61. He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round. This fight earned him a Performance of the Night award.

Zalal faced Jack Shore on November 2, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 246. He won the fight via an arm-triangle choke in the second round. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.

Zalal faced Calvin Kattar on February 15, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 251. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Zalal faced former interim UFC Featherweight Championship challenger Josh Emmett on October 4, 2025 at UFC 320. He won the fight via an armbar submission in the first round.

Zalal faced former UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling on April 25, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 274. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (Two times) UFC.com Awards 2020: Ranked #7 Newcomer of the Year Sherdog 2024 Comeback Fighter of the Year MMA Fighting 2024 Third Team MMA All-Star

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Aljamain Sterling Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Josh Emmett Submission (armbar) UFC 320

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Calvin Kattar Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Rodrigues

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Jack Shore Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Albazi

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Jarno Errens Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ESPN: Tybura vs. Spivac 2

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Billy Quarantillo Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ESPN: Ribas vs. Namajunas

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Vadim Zadnipryanyi Submission (arm-triangle choke) Sparta Combat League 98

Superior, Colorado, United States Win

Jake Childers TKO (punches) Sparta Combat League: Fight Night 14

Aurora, Colorado, United States Win

Edwin Chavez TKO (punches) Sparta Combat League 93

Denver, Colorado, United States Draw

Da'Mon Blackshear Draw (majority) UFC on ESPN: Vera vs. Cruz

San Diego, California, United States Loss

Sean Woodson Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Choi Seung-woo Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Volkov

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Ilia Topuria Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Peter Barrett Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Oleinik

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Jordan Griffin Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Poirier vs. Hooker

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Austin Lingo Decision (unanimous) UFC 247

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Jaime Hernandez KO (flying knee) LFA 79

Broomfield, Colorado, United States Loss

Matt Jones Decision (split) LFA 65

Vail, Colorado, United States Loss

Jose Mariscal Decision (unanimous) LFA 57

Broomfield, Colorado, United States Win

Steven Merrill Submission (brabo choke) LFA 56

Prior Lake, Minnesota, United States Win

Daniel Soto Submission (rear-naked choke) LFA 39

Vail, Colorado, United States Win

Joey Banks Submission (armbar) Paramount MMA: Contenders

Denver, Colorado, United States Win

Clay Wimer Submission (guillotine choke) Mile High MMAyhem 1

Glendale, Colorado, United States Win

Maurice Salazar TKO (punches) LFA 22

Broomfield, Colorado, United States Win

Michael Santos Submission (brabo choke) Sparta Combat League 61

Denver, Colorado, United States