LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 15: (R-L) Youssef Zalal of Morocco punches Calvin Kattar in a featherweight combat through the UFC Battle Night time occasion at UFC APEX on February 15, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photograph by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
The co-main occasion of UFC Vegas 102 discovered featherweight Youssef Zalal on his second stint with the promotion and seeking to break into the 145lb rankings towards Calvin Kattar.
Kattar, regardless of a three-fight skid, was hanging onto the #10 rating within the weight class. Zalal, in the meantime, had been excellent since returning to the corporate.
Zalal began out the opening spherical landed just a few low leg kicks at vary. Kattar pressed ahead however Zalal’s lateral motion made him extraordinarily exhausting to catch. Every fighter exchanged jabs within the heart of the octagon. Zalal threatened a flying knee whereas additionally connecting with a paid of jabs up the center. Kattar discovered a house for a giant proper hand with thirty second left however Zalal landed extra over the primary 5 minutes.
Youssef Zalal shot for a takedown at first of the second however Kattar defended effectively. All through the spherical Kattar would march ahead however couldn’t discover Zalal who confirmed unbelievable footwork and elusiveness evading the veterans punches. Zalal landed a pleasant jab adopted by a leg kick close to the one minute mark, seeming to frustrate Kattar. After two rounds it regarded like “The Moroccan Devil” was forward within the combat.
Kattar frantically pressed ahead within the third spherical, needing a end to win the combat. Urgent Zalal to the fence Katter related along with his finest mixture of the combat. The Massachusetts native was emptying the tank within the third, however Zalal weathered the storm and circled away. Kattar began to discover a residence for his straight proper hand and Zalal tried a takedown. A head kick for Kattar practically landed within the closing ten seconds however Zalal moved out of the way in which as time expired. It appeared Zalal had gained the primary two rounds, whereas Kattar battled again to earn the ultimate spherical.
The judges scored the combat unanimously for Zalal 29-28. This was a extremely entertaining contest with Zalal extending his spectacular win streak to 6 general. Zalal emphatically exclaimed he’s a future champion whereas calling out former title challenger Brian Ortega for a combat at 145-pounds.
Official End result: Youssef Zalal def. Calvin Kattar by unanimous choice (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
