The sensational stop settlements of Jared Cannonier and Edmen Shahbazyan can dominate the Post-Puc Vegas 102 newspaper heads, but there was also a solid victory for Youssef Zalal in the Co-Main event.
'The Moroccan devil' was expected to get better from the popular UFC -Fedweight Competer Calvin Kattar and despite some late adversity, Youssef Zalal ultimately UFC Vegas 102 with the decision gain.
The 28-year-old is understandably the best of his recent revival of the career and took control of the microphone to call not one, but two top candidates for his next fight.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Youssef Zalal Names 'T-City' and 'El Pantera' as potential opponents
Speaking against Daniel Cormier in the Octagon After he had lifted his hand, Youssef Zalal would rely on former title Challenger 'T-City' to stay in featherweight for another fight.
“Hey, I have heard that Brian Ortega is trying to leave for 155 pounds, I will give him another round in the 145LB division and I will show him what's going on … I am excited, it can be possible I don't care who they give me [next]; I'm ready. “
But in conversation with the UFC News Crew just a few minutes later, Zalal would again confirm that his main goal for 2025 is still his own Fight Night event -and he has a backup name in mind as Ortega does not answer the call.
“Man, I absolutely want to be in the top five- my goal is to head [an event] In 2025 I can't wait to do that and every chance that comes my way, I keep starting with it and keeps hungry.
“I know there is Brian Ortega and then Yair Rodriguez, I mean, those two names are great, legendary – so that would be great to face those legends … to head in 2025, I have a bigger name And needed bigger names. “
After he had passed the UFC in 2022, Zalal certainly got the most out of his second chance in the promotion with four consecutive victories in the Octagon – including finishes on Jack Shore and Billy Quarantillo.
“I dream Big Man and I manifestly,” he stated at the press conference after the fight and explained how fighting against Ortega or Rodriguez represent the opportunity to “change his life forever.”
“There are two names, I know that Yair is looking for an opponent and I know that Brian Ortega is trying to go up to 155 pounds and things like that … I am just here to have fun and change my life, man . “
UFC hunters respond to the decision of Youssef Zalal on Calvin Kattar
Although UFC Vegas 102 is easily the biggest victory of the professional career of Youssef Zalal so far, not everyone was satisfied with the way in which the fight ended – with Zalal, in essence for the last five minutes to win the UD victory.
Former double champion Henry Cejudo, who heads the UFC card of next weekend in Seattle against Song Yadong, shared an image of Sprinter Usain Bolt with the caption 'Welcome Back'.
Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad noticed that Zalal “improves” with every fight and that he would like to see him encounter against the British Power -Punch Arnold Allen.
Adrian Yanez would compare Zalal's head movement and footwork with that of boxing legend Prince Naseem Hamed, while Cory Anderson called it a “great achievement”, even though it was a difficult watch for those fans who support Kattar.
“Man !! Calvin Kattar is such a dawg .. hates to see him go 4 losing in a row !! I wish he would have thrown some punches to the body to make up for all that head movement. But take nothing away from Zalal !!
With 'The Boston Finisher' added to his CV, Youssef Zalal is now 17-5-1 as a professional MMA hunter and will probably be ranked in the top 15 of Tuesday's update.
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