After an enormous 2024, Youssef Zalal has earned himself a marquee matchup.
At UFC Combat Night time 251 on Feb. 15, Zalal (16-5-1 MMA, 6-3-1 UFC) will battle perennial featherweight contender Calvin Kattar (23-8 MMA, 7-6 UFC) in a three-round bout on the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. All the card streams on ESPN+.
Two individuals with information of the matchup just lately knowledgeable MMA Junkie of the reserving however requested to stay nameless because the promotion has but to make an official announcement. Zalal additionally mentioned the matchup on a latest episode of the “JAXXON Podcast.”
Zalal was reduce from the UFC in 2022, however labored his manner again into the promotion in 2024. He was signed for a short-notice return bout vs. Billy Quarantillo, who he submitted. Jarno Errens and Jack Shore confronted the identical destiny thereafter, falling sufferer to Zalal’s slick jiu-jitsu abilities.
Kattar goals to snap a three-fight skid that features defeats towards Josh Emmett, Arnold Allen, and most just lately, Aljamain Sterling. Kattar was scheduled to battle Kyle Nelson in September, however withdrew because of harm.
With the addition, the UFC Combat Night time 251 lineup consists of:
- Jared Cannonier vs. Gregory Rodrigues
- Edson Barboza vs. Steve Garcia
- Calvin Kattar vs. Youssef Zalal
- Yuneisy Duben vs. Carli Judice
- Ismael Bonfim vs. Nazim Sadykhov
- Gabriel Bonfim vs. Rinat Fakhretdinov
- Jose Delgado vs. Connor Matthews
- Billy Ray Goff vs. Nikolay Veretennikov
- Dylan Budka vs. Edmen Shahbazyan
- Vince Morales vs. Elijah Smith
- Jesus Aguilar vs. Rafael Estevam
- Don’Story Mayes vs. Valter Walker
- Kaue Fernandes vs. Jared Gordon
- Rodolfo Vieira vs. opponent TBA
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC Combat Night time 251.
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