Youssef Zalal

ANALYSIS
Zalal enters this fight riding a three-fight winning streak, all by way of submission within the first two rounds. He gets a major opportunity here to fight a big name in Kattar who has hit a rough spot of late, losing four of his last five. Wrestling will be key here for Zalal, who averages 2.34 takedowns per 15 minutes of fight time -- a number that is a bit deceiving given how quickly he finishes fights after getting his opponent down. Kattar defends takedowns at a 72 percent clip, but he was completely unable to do so in his last fight against Aljamain Sterling, who registered a total of eight in the 15-minute affair. If it does stay standing, both Zalal and Kattar measure up almost identically in both height and reach.

ANALYSIS
Zalal was released from the UFC back in 2022 after going through a four-fight winless streak (0-3, 1NC). He went back to the regional scene and won three in a row via first-round stoppage before returning in March. He's looked like a different man since rejoining the company. Zalal got off to a slow start against Shore, but quickly found his footing. He was dominating by the time the end of Round 1 hit and continued that into Round 2, crushing Shore with a knee right up the middle which led to the submission victory. Improving each time we see him, Zalal looks like a legitimate future threat in a loaded featherweight division. He deserves a stiffer challenge his next time out. He's earned it.

ANALYSIS
Zalal is coming off a huge win over Jarno Errens in his most recent fight, which was also his first bout in almost two years. He'll aim to end the year on a solid note against an opponent who owns a 6-2 record at the UFC level despite being part of the company since 2018. Zalal should be the overwhelming favorite for this contest.

ANALYSIS
Zalal returned to the Octagon in March after nearly two years away and responded with a brilliant effort in a submission win over a tough customer in Billy Quarantillo. That strong effort made him a massive -500 favorite against Errens, and he didn't disappoint. Knowing full well of his opponent's struggles with grappling, Zalal secured an easy takedown before flawlessly transitioning to the back and choking Errens out. The finish would go on to earn him one of three $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses awarded on the evening. Still just 27 years of age, Zalal has made legitimate improvements and is a fighter to keep an eye on moving forward at 145 pounds.

ANALYSIS
Both Zalal and Errens are trying to establish a winning streak with their scheduled fight. While Errens defeated Steven Nguyen via unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 88, Zalal forced Billy Quarantillo to submit in the second round of their fight at UFC Vegas 89.