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Youssef Zalal may not have secured the finish he wanted. Still, he walked away with the biggest victory of his career, earning a unanimous decision win over veteran featherweight Calvin Kattar in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 102.
From the opening bell, Zalal showcased his superior movement and crisp striking, frustrating Kattar with his quick footwork and pinpoint jabs. The Moroccan fighter kept Kattar guessing, constantly circling on the outside and landing sharp combinations before darting away. Despite a late surge from Kattar in the final round, the damage had already been done. The judges scored the contest 29-28 in favor of Zalal, extending his winning streak to seven, with four consecutive victories inside the UFC.
“[His team was saying] easy money—my ass, easy money,” Zalal said after his impressive performance. “This is an OK performance, I’m better than this. I want to be a world champion and I will be a world champion. I feel like I just fought a legend. It’s an honor to share the cage with him.”
The fight was a masterclass in movement and precision striking. Zalal stuck to a disciplined approach, punishing Kattar with a stiff jab and sneaky calf kicks. Kattar, known for his boxing prowess, struggled to close the distance as Zalal continued to chip away. Even when Kattar managed to land a few solid punches, Zalal never stayed in the pocket long enough for him to follow up.
Heading into the final round, Kattar’s coach, Firas Zahabi, urged him to increase his aggression, knowing he was down on the scorecards. While Kattar pushed the pace and took more risks, Zalal remained composed, countering effectively and never allowing his opponent to establish any real momentum.
With this win, Zalal cements his place as a rising contender in the featherweight division, while Kattar finds himself at a crossroads after suffering his fourth consecutive loss. As Zalal eyes bigger opportunities, Kattar will need to regroup and reassess his path forward.