Youssef Zalal beats Calvin Kattar on the feet

Youssef Zalal will seemingly have a UFC rating subsequent to his identify in just a few days.

Within the greatest battle of his profession thus far, Zalal (17-5-1 MMA, 7-3-1 UFC) defeated perennial contender Calvin Kattar (23-9 MMA, 7-7 UFC) by unanimous determination (28-28, 29-28, 29-28) within the UFC Struggle Night time 251 co-main occasion Saturday on the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Zalal was calculated and methodical in his strategy. He appeared the faster fighter as he stifled Kattar with route adjustments and dodging head motion.

After two rounds of largely level combating, Zalal evaded an aggressive Kattar, however supplied up nearly no offense of any type. Zalal’s Anderson Silva-esque dipping and ducking did sufficient to keep away from any critical connection by Kattar.

After the ultimate bell sounded, it was clear-cut 29-28 scorecards throughout the board.

With the win, Zalal, 28, continues his unprecedented run up the UFC’s featherweight ladder since he returned to the promotion lower than one 12 months in the past. He’s racked up 4 wins in that point with finishes towards Billy Quarantillo, Jarno Errens, and Jack Shore.

Kattar, 36, has now misplaced 4 fights in a row. He entered Saturday’s bout on a skid that included defeats to Josh Emmett, Arnold Allen, and Aljamain Sterling. UFC Struggle Night time 251 coaching camp was the primary he had finished at Tristar in Montreal with coach Firas Zahabi.

Up-to-the-minute UFC Struggle Night time 251 outcomes embrace:

• Youssef Zalal def. Calvin Kattar through unanimous determination (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Edmen Shahbazyan def. Dylan Budka through TKO (punches) – Spherical 1, 1:35
• Nazim Sadykhov def. Ismael Bonfim through TKO (physician’s stoppage) – Spherical 1, 5:00
• Andre Petroski def. Rodolfo Vieira through unanimous determination (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Jose Delgado def. Connor Matthews through knockout (elbows) – Spherical 1, 2:58
• Angela Hill def. Ketlen Souza through break up determination (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Rafael Estevam def. Jesus Aguilar through unanimous determination (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Gabriel Bonfim def. Khaos Williams through technical submission (D’Arce choke) – Spherical 2, 4:58
• Elijah Smith def. Vince Morales through unanimous determination (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Valter Walker def. Don’Story Mayes through submission (heel hook) – Spherical 1, 1:17
• Jacqueline Cavalcanti def. Julia Avila through unanimous determination (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC Struggle Night time 251.