Youssef Zalal
Updated: 12/11/2025, 1:06:35 PM Wikipedia source
Youssef Zalal (Arabic: يوسف زلال; born September 4, 1996) is a Moroccan professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of October 7, 2025, he is #7 in the UFC featherweight rankings.
Infobox
Born
(1996-09-04) September 4, 1996 (age 29)Casablanca, Morocco
Native name
يوسف زلال
Other names
The Moroccan Devil
Height
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight
145 lb (66 kg; 10 st 5 lb)
Division
Bantamweight (2022) Featherweight (2017-2021, 2022-present) Lightweight (2017)
Reach
72 in (183 cm)
Style
Kickboxing, Amateur MMA, Boxing
Stance
Orthodox
Fighting out of
Casablanca, Morocco Englewood, Colorado, U.S.
Team
Factory X
Rank
Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Years active
2017–present
Total
5
Wins
4
By knockout
2
Losses
1
By submission
1
By decision
1
Draws
1
Tables
Professional record breakdown · Mixed martial arts record
By knockout
By knockout
24 matches
By knockout
18 wins
4
5 losses
0
By submission
By submission
24 matches
By submission
18 wins
10
5 losses
0
By decision
By decision
24 matches
By decision
18 wins
4
5 losses
5
Draws
Draws
24 matches
Draws
18 wins
1
| 24 matches | 18 wins | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 4 | 0 |
| By submission | 10 | 0 |
| By decision | 4 | 5 |
| Draws | 1 | |
· Mixed martial arts record
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
18–5–1
Opponent
Josh Emmett
Method
Submission (armbar)
Event
UFC 320
Date
October 4, 2025
Round
1
Time
1:38
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
17–5–1
Opponent
Calvin Kattar
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Rodrigues
Date
February 15, 2025
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
16–5–1
Opponent
Jack Shore
Method
Submission (arm-triangle choke)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Albazi
Date
November 2, 2024
Round
2
Time
0:59
Location
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Notes
Performance of the Night.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
15–5–1
Opponent
Jarno Errens
Method
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Event
UFC on ESPN: Tybura vs. Spivac 2
Date
August 10, 2024
Round
1
Time
3:52
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Notes
Performance of the Night.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
14–5–1
Opponent
Billy Quarantillo
Method
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Event
UFC on ESPN: Ribas vs. Namajunas
Date
March 23, 2024
Round
2
Time
1:50
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
13–5–1
Opponent
Vadim Zadnipryanyi
Method
Submission (arm-triangle choke)
Event
Sparta Combat League 98
Date
August 19, 2023
Round
1
Time
3:48
Location
Superior, Colorado, United States
Notes
Won the King of Sparta Featherweight Tournament.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
12–5–1
Opponent
Jake Childers
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
Sparta Combat League: Fight Night 14
Date
January 20, 2023
Round
1
Time
1:53
Location
Aurora, Colorado, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
11–5–1
Opponent
Edwin Chavez
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
Sparta Combat League 93
Date
November 18, 2022
Round
1
Time
3:44
Location
Denver, Colorado, United States
Notes
Return to Featherweight; Chavez missed weight (147.6 lb).
Draw
Draw
Res.
Draw
Record
10–5–1
Opponent
Da'Mon Blackshear
Method
Draw (majority)
Event
UFC on ESPN: Vera vs. Cruz
Date
August 13, 2022
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
San Diego, California, United States
Notes
Bantamweight debut.
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
10–5
Opponent
Sean Woodson
Method
Decision (split)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai
Date
June 5, 2021
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
10–4
Opponent
Choi Seung-woo
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Volkov
Date
February 6, 2021
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
10–3
Opponent
Ilia Topuria
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen
Date
October 11, 2020
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
10–2
Opponent
Peter Barrett
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Oleinik
Date
August 8, 2020
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
9–2
Opponent
Jordan Griffin
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC on ESPN: Poirier vs. Hooker
Date
June 27, 2020
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
8–2
Opponent
Austin Lingo
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC 247
Date
February 8, 2020
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Houston, Texas, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
7–2
Opponent
Jaime Hernandez
Method
KO (flying knee)
Event
LFA 79
Date
November 22, 2019
Round
1
Time
2:15
Location
Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Notes
Catchweight (140 lb) bout.
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
6–2
Opponent
Matt Jones
Method
Decision (split)
Event
LFA 65
Date
May 3, 2019
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Vail, Colorado, United States
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
6–1
Opponent
Jose Mariscal
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
LFA 57
Date
January 18, 2019
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
6–0
Opponent
Steven Merrill
Method
Submission (brabo choke)
Event
LFA 56
Date
December 7, 2018
Round
1
Time
3:22
Location
Prior Lake, Minnesota, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
5–0
Opponent
Daniel Soto
Method
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Event
LFA 39
Date
May 4, 2018
Round
2
Time
1:38
Location
Vail, Colorado, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
4–0
Opponent
Joey Banks
Method
Submission (armbar)
Event
Paramount MMA: Contenders
Date
March 16, 2018
Round
3
Time
1:58
Location
Denver, Colorado, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
3–0
Opponent
Clay Wimer
Method
Submission (guillotine choke)
Event
Mile High MMAyhem 1
Date
October 27, 2017
Round
2
Time
2:42
Location
Glendale, Colorado, United States
Notes
Return to Featherweight.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
2–0
Opponent
Maurice Salazar
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
LFA 22
Date
September 8, 2017
Round
2
Time
4:41
Location
Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Notes
Lightweight debut.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
1–0
Opponent
Michael Santos
Method
Submission (brabo choke)
Event
Sparta Combat League 61
Date
August 19, 2017
Round
3
Time
1:38
Location
Denver, Colorado, United States
Notes
Featherweight debut.
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Win | 18–5–1 | Josh Emmett | Submission (armbar) | UFC 320 | October 4, 2025 | 1 | 1:38 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 17–5–1 | Calvin Kattar | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Rodrigues | February 15, 2025 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 16–5–1 | Jack Shore | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Albazi | November 2, 2024 | 2 | 0:59 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 15–5–1 | Jarno Errens | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC on ESPN: Tybura vs. Spivac 2 | August 10, 2024 | 1 | 3:52 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 14–5–1 | Billy Quarantillo | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC on ESPN: Ribas vs. Namajunas | March 23, 2024 | 2 | 1:50 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 13–5–1 | Vadim Zadnipryanyi | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Sparta Combat League 98 | August 19, 2023 | 1 | 3:48 | Superior, Colorado, United States | Won the King of Sparta Featherweight Tournament. |
| Win | 12–5–1 | Jake Childers | TKO (punches) | Sparta Combat League: Fight Night 14 | January 20, 2023 | 1 | 1:53 | Aurora, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 11–5–1 | Edwin Chavez | TKO (punches) | Sparta Combat League 93 | November 18, 2022 | 1 | 3:44 | Denver, Colorado, United States | Return to Featherweight; Chavez missed weight (147.6 lb). |
| Draw | 10–5–1 | Da'Mon Blackshear | Draw (majority) | UFC on ESPN: Vera vs. Cruz | August 13, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | San Diego, California, United States | Bantamweight debut. |
| Loss | 10–5 | Sean Woodson | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai | June 5, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 10–4 | Choi Seung-woo | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Volkov | February 6, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 10–3 | Ilia Topuria | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen | October 11, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Win | 10–2 | Peter Barrett | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Oleinik | August 8, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 9–2 | Jordan Griffin | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Poirier vs. Hooker | June 27, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 8–2 | Austin Lingo | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 247 | February 8, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 7–2 | Jaime Hernandez | KO (flying knee) | LFA 79 | November 22, 2019 | 1 | 2:15 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | Catchweight (140 lb) bout. |
| Loss | 6–2 | Matt Jones | Decision (split) | LFA 65 | May 3, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Vail, Colorado, United States | |
| Loss | 6–1 | Jose Mariscal | Decision (unanimous) | LFA 57 | January 18, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 6–0 | Steven Merrill | Submission (brabo choke) | LFA 56 | December 7, 2018 | 1 | 3:22 | Prior Lake, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 5–0 | Daniel Soto | Submission (rear-naked choke) | LFA 39 | May 4, 2018 | 2 | 1:38 | Vail, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Joey Banks | Submission (armbar) | Paramount MMA: Contenders | March 16, 2018 | 3 | 1:58 | Denver, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Clay Wimer | Submission (guillotine choke) | Mile High MMAyhem 1 | October 27, 2017 | 2 | 2:42 | Glendale, Colorado, United States | Return to Featherweight. |
| Win | 2–0 | Maurice Salazar | TKO (punches) | LFA 22 | September 8, 2017 | 2 | 4:41 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | Lightweight debut. |
| Win | 1–0 | Michael Santos | Submission (brabo choke) | Sparta Combat League 61 | August 19, 2017 | 3 | 1:38 | Denver, Colorado, United States | Featherweight debut. |
References
- UFC.comhttps://www.ufc.com/athlete/youssef-zalal
- arabsmmahttps://ar.arabsmma.com/%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%B3%D9%81-%D8%B2%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%AF-%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%D8%AA%D9%87-%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%89-ufc-%D8%A3%D9%86%D8%A7-%D8%A3%D8%AD%D8%AF-%D8%A3%D9%81%D8%B6%D9%84-%D8%A7/
- www.ufc.comhttps://www.ufc.com/rankings
- "Youssef Zalal is ready for the spotlight"https://www.ufc.com/news/youssef-zalal-is-ready-for-the-spotlight-ufc-247
- Sherdoghttps://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Youssef-Zalal-229985
- mmajunkie.usatoday.comhttps://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/01/ufc-247-adds-last-minute-bout-between-newcomers-austin-lingo-and-youssef-zalal
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2020/02/08/ufc-247-results-lingo-vs-zalal/
- mmafighting.comhttps://www.mmafighting.com/2020/6/19/21297244/jordan-griffin-youssef-zalal-ufc-june-27-las-vegas
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2020/06/27/ufc-on-espn-12-results-youssef-zalal/
- MMA Junkiehttps://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/08/peter-barrett-predicts-ugly-fight-vs-youssef-zalal-ufc-on-espn-plus-32
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2020/08/08/ufc-vegas-6-results-youssef-zalal/
- fightful.comhttps://www.fightful.com/mma/report-youssef-zalal-faces-seungwoo-choi-october-10-ufc-card
- "With Seung Woo Choi out, Youssef Zalal meets Ilia Topuria at UFC on ESPN+ 37"https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/10/seung-woo-choi-out-youssef-zalal-meets-ilia-topuria-at-ufc-on-espn-37
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2020/10/10/ufc-fight-island-5-results-ilia-topuria/
- MMA DNAhttps://mmadna.nl/breaking-youssef-zalal-vervangt-collin-anglin-tegen-seung-woo-choi-op-6-februari/
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2021/02/06/ufc-vegas-18-results-seung-woo-choi-def-youssef-zalal/
- "Youssef Zalal vs. Sean Woodson added to UFC Fight Night on June 5"https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/03/youssef-zalal-vs-sean-woodson-ufc-fight-night-june-5-mma-matchup
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2021/06/05/ufc-vegas-28-results-sean-woodson-defeats-youssef-zalal-via-split-decision/
- mma.unohttps://mma.uno/cristian-quinonez-vs-youssef-zalal-agregado-a-ufc-san-diego/
- "CFFC bantamweight champ Da'Mon Blackshear signs with UFC, faces Youssef Zalal in San Diego"https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/08/ufc-news-damon-blackshear-vs-youssef-zalal-cffc
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2022/08/13/ufc-san-diego-youssef-zalal-vs-damon-blackshear/
- | BJPenn.comhttps://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/ufc/the-ufc-parts-ways-with-four-more-fighters-5/
- Arab Newshttps://www.arabnews.com/node/2480441/amp
- "Billy Quarantillo vs. Youssef Zalal added to UFC Vegas 89"https://www.mmaaldia.com/billy-quarantillo-vs-youssef-zalal-ufc-vegas-89/
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2024/03/23/ufc-vegas-89-youssef-zalal-billy-quarantillo/
- Eurosporthttps://www.eurosport.nl/mixed-martial-arts/ufc/2024/ufc-vegas-95-jarno-errens-vecht-voor-tweede-ufc-overwinning-tegen-youssef-zalal-in-las-vegas_sto20006798/story.shtml
- "UFC Vegas 95: Youssef Zalal Submits Errens, Stays Perfect in Second UFC Run"https://cagesidepress.com/2024/08/10/ufc-vegas-95-youssef-zalal-submits-errens-stays-perfect-in-second-ufc-run/
- "UFC Vegas 95 Bonus Report: Serghei Spivac one of three fighters to take home an extra $50k"https://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/ufc-vegas-95/ufc-vegas-95-bonus-report-serghei-spivac-one-of-three-fighters-to-take-home-an-extra-50k/
- "Jack Shore vs. Youssef Zalal Added to UFC Edmonton"https://cagesidepress.com/2024/10/09/jack-shore-vs-youssef-zala-added-to-ufc-edmonton/
- "Youssef Zalal Lands Nasty Knee, Submits Shore"https://cagesidepress.com/2024/11/02/youssef-zalal-lands-nasty-knee-submits-shore/
- "UFC Edmonton Bonus Report: Dustin Stoltzfus one of four fighters to take home an extra $50k"https://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/ufc-edmonton/ufc-edmonton-bonus-report-dustin-stoltzfus-one-of-four-fighters-to-take-home-an-extra-50k/
- MMAmania.comhttps://www.mmamania.com/2024/12/31/24333305/youssef-zalal-draws-first-top-15-matchup-for-ufc-vegas-102-calvin-kattar
- "UFC Vegas 102: Youssef Zalal Continues Run With Decision Win Over Calvin Kattar"https://cagesidepress.com/2025/02/15/ufc-vegas-102-youssef-zalal-continues-run-with-decision-win-over-calvin-kattar/
- "Josh Emmett vs. Youssef Zalal Booked For UFC 320 Main Card"https://www.mmanews.com/news/ufc/josh-emmett-vs-youssef-zalal-booked-for-ufc-320-main-card/
- "UFC 320: Youssef Zalal Taps Josh Emmett, Calls Out Lerone Murphy"https://cagesidepress.com/2025/10/04/ufc-320-youssef-zalal-taps-josh-emmett-calls-out-lerone-murphy/
- Arab Newshttps://arab.news/bskm9
- "UFC Stats - Featherweight Division"http://statleaders.ufc.com/?fighter_status=0&weight_class=FTW
- Ultimate Fighting Championshiphttps://www.ufc.com/news/ten-best-newcomers-2020-chimaev-buckley-royval-read
- MMA Fightinghttps://www.mmafighting.com/2024/12/24/24326306/2024-mma-all-star-team-who-were-the-most-violent-fighters-in-each-weight-class-this-year
- Sherdoghttps://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Youssef-Zalal-229985