MMA: Moroccan Youssef Zalal's devilish debut at UFC

Text by: David Kalfa Follow

3 min

Youssef Zalal defeated the American Peter Barrett by unanimous decision of the judges, this August 9, 2020 in Las Vegas, during a party organized by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the most powerful league of mixed martial arts (MMA). ) in the world. The man nicknamed the “Moroccan Devil” continues his remarkable debut at the UFC, with a third straight victory.

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With three victories in as many fights at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Youssef Zalal's debut in the temple of mixed martial arts (MMA) is decidedly more than successful. He is indeed the only UFC fighter to have won three fights in 2020. The Moroccan defeated an American, by decision of the judges, for the third time in a row, this August 8, 2020 in Las Vegas. After Austin Lingo in February, then Jordan Griffin in June, the Casablanca native dominated Peter Barrett. He could even have ended the debate very quickly, his return kick having sent his opponent to the mat after 21 seconds.

Rising value

If he did not KO Barrett, this gesture allowed the one nicknamed the "Moroccan Devil" to conquer new fans. “  I'm really pissed that I didn't end the fight. This is what the UFC wants, finishes,  “reacted the person concerned in a press conference, after his victory. Headband in the colors of Morocco on the forehead, Youssef Zalal was modest when asked about his breakthrough in the featherweight category. "  I take things step by step, I am in no hurry , he assured, from the top of his 23 years. I wanted to rush early in my MMA career and that's why I lost two fights. But we learn from our mistakes. These two defeats were the best lessons of my life  ”.

It was in 2019, in the Legacy Fighting Alliance, a Texas-based minor MMA league. Since then, the one who started with kickboxing at the age of 10 has had four successes, including the last two in less than six weeks. The record of this hitter is therefore now 10-2 in MMA. He is gradually approaching the Top 15 of the division, of which Nigerian Sodiq Yusuff is already part. "  Zalal is a very, very talented young fighter ," enthusiastic Luke Thomas, host of a specialized program on MMA, for Sirius XM radio. If he manages to stay focused, he will be able to do something special  ”.

" I was on the verge of suicide "

A true ball of energy and good humor at the microphone, the one who lives in Colorado (United States) and who trains and coaches at Factory X, has nevertheless lived through difficult times. “  Eleven years ago, I was in Morocco ,” Youssef Zalal recalled. I didn't know what I was going to do with my future. I really didn't have a clue, to be honest. And, when my brother died five years ago, I was on the verge of suicide. But now my coaches tell me I'm the only UFC fighter to have 3 wins in 2020. It's a godsend. You have to know how to take advantage of opportunities and make the most of them  ”. So far, the Casaoui has been devilishly able to seize its chance at the UFC.

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