Featherweight#8 RankedACTIVE
Youssef Zalal

Youssef Zalal

17-5-1
5 Win Streak
Age
29
Height
5'10"
Weight
146 lbs
Reach
72"
Avg Fight Time
12:26
Gym
Factory X
UFC Record
8-3-1(12 bouts)
Wins By
0 KO 4 Sub 4 Dec
Losses By
0 KO 0 Sub 3 Dec
Wins by Rd
R1 2R2 2R3 4
Last 5
LWWWW
Finish Rate
76%
Bonuses
2
Style
Freestyle
Location
Casablanca, Morocco
Last Fight2025-10-04
JE
W - Josh Emmett
Decision - UnanimousR5 5:00
Opponent Last Bout
L - Youssef ZalalKO/TKOR1 3:33· Punches to Head At Distance

Fight History

LOSS
AS
vs Aljamain Sterling
UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal· 2026-04-25
Decision - Unanimous·R5 5:00
WIN
JE
vs Josh Emmett
UFC 320: Ankalaev vs. Pereira 2· 2025-10-04
SubmissionArmbar From Back Control·R1 1:38·-460
WIN
CK
vs Calvin Kattar
UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Rodrigues· 2025-02-15
Decision - Unanimous·R3 5:00
WIN
JS
vs Jack Shore
UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Albazi· 2024-11-02
SubmissionArm Triangle From Half Guard·R2 0:59
WIN
JE
vs Jarno Errens
UFC Fight Night: Tybura vs. Spivac 2· 2024-08-10
SubmissionRear Naked Choke·R1 3:52
WIN
BQ
vs Billy Quarantillo
UFC Fight Night: Ribas vs. Namajunas· 2024-03-23
SubmissionRear Naked Choke·R2 1:50
DRAW
DB
vs Da'Mon Blackshear
UFC Fight Night: Vera vs. Cruz· 2022-08-13
Decision - Majority·R3 5:00
LOSS
SW
vs Sean Woodson
UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai· 2021-06-05
Decision - Split·R3 5:00
LOSS
SC
vs SeungWoo Choi
UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Volkov· 2021-02-06
Decision - Unanimous·R3 5:00
LOSS
IT
vs Ilia Topuria
UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen· 2020-10-10
Decision - Unanimous·R3 5:00
WIN
PB
vs Peter Barrett
UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Oleinik· 2020-08-08
Decision - Unanimous·R3 5:00
WIN
JG
vs Jordan Griffin
UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Hooker· 2020-06-27
Decision - Unanimous·R3 5:00
WIN
AL
vs Austin Lingo
UFC 247: Jones vs. Reyes· 2020-02-08
Decision - Unanimous·R3 5:00
Fighter Archetype
Technical Striker
Counter Striker
Why This Archetype
This fighter displays a unique approach that transcends traditional archetypes.
Striking
3.1/min
Grappling
2.09 TD
Defense
67%
⚖️Youssef adapts strategy based on opponent — no predictable tendencies
📊Balanced approach can be difficult to game-plan against

Technique DNA

Striking Foundation
35 rounds of fight film analyzed
🎯
Signature Technique

Knees

Core of offensive identity

Dominant Level+73% vs div avg
74%
Of striking volume
Mastery Progress
Primary Arsenal
High Importance

Jabs

#2
60%of arsenal
0%100%
Medium Importance

Leg Kicks

#3
57%of arsenal
0%100%
Supporting Techniques
🤼Clinch
Elbows
43%
⭐Other
Triangles
43%
🥊Head/Hand
Head Kicks
40%
Common Combinations
Distance → Clinch
3× detected
Clinch → Takedown
3× detected
Patterns detected from round-by-round fight data
Striking Pattern Analysis
  • ◆Signature technique: Heavy reliance on Knees (74%). Opponents must prepare specifically for this threat.
  • ▲Technical diversity: Multiple techniques used at similar rates - adapts based on situations.
  • ●Comprehensive striker: Uses head strikes, leg kicks, and varied attacks across distance.
  • ■Two-pillar system: Top 2 techniques account for majority (134%) of offensive output.
  • ◇Focused arsenal: Top 5 techniques comprise 277% of offense - limited but refined.
  • ▶Mixed martial artist: Uses both takedown techniques and submissions in the striking phase.
  • ★Adaptive tempo: Switches between pressure and counter-fighting mid-round.

Finish Techniques

Striking Finishes
0
0% of career finishes
Submission Finishes
4
100% of career finishes
🔒 Submission Arsenal (1 techniques, 4 total finishes)
Other
Submission
#1
4
100% of subs
Finish Pattern Analysis
  • ⚡🔒 Submission specialist: 100% of career finishes via submission. Elite grappling with dangerous ground finishing.
  • 🎯🔐 Specialized submission: Relies exclusively on Submission (4x). Single-threat grappling finisher.

Fighter Skills Radar

Key Insights

⚖️
Balanced fighter: Threatens equally on feet and mat. No clear weaknesses.
💪
Peak strengths: Strike Def% (67%) and Sub/15min (1.3).
🔥
Finisher: 76% of wins end in finish (4 KO + 9 subs).
🛡️
Defensive stance: Strong defense (67%) limits opponent output. Conservative approach.
📈
Pace builder: Output increases in later rounds (137% in R3). Outworks opponents.

Striking Profile

Striking Accuracy
51%
Average
Division Rank#16 of 45
0%100%
Striking Defense
67%
Elite
Division Rank#1 of 45
0%100%
Range Breakdown
Distance
48% acc86%
Clinch
66% acc6%
Ground
50% acc8%
Striking Differential+1.27/min
3.07 landed/min1.80 absorbed/min
3.07
Landed/Min
1.80
Absorbed/Min
0.22
KD Avg
0
1st Rd Finishes
Sig. Strikes Landed419
Sig. Strikes Attempted826

Key Insights

Youssef is a distance-first striker, with 85% of output at range.

Uses leg kicks strategically (21%).

Favorable output (1.7:1).

Strong defense at 67%.

Utilizes an effective jab.

Distance-dominant: 86% of output at range with 48% accuracy.

Grappling Profile

TD Accuracy
31%
Low
Division Rank#34 of 45
0%100%
TD Defense
59%
Above Avg
Division Rank#33 of 45
0%100%
TD Success Rate
10%
Landed
6
Defended
56
Total
62
2.09
TD / 15min
1.32
Sub / 15min
6
TD Landed
62
TD Attempted

Extended Grappling

Clinch Takedowns
38
Landed
124
Attempted
31%
Accuracy
Submission Timing
14 total attempts
Opportunistic
R1
21%
R2
50%
R3
29%

Key Insights

Moderate TD threat at 2.09/15min.

Active submission threat (1.32/15min).

Lower TD accuracy (31%).

Prolific submission hunter: 14 career attempts.

Submission timing: "Opportunistic" — consistent threat.

Offensive vs Defensive Balance

Damage Exchange
Offensive dominance vs damage absorbed per fight
Dealt
838
2.29
Ratio
Absorbed
366
Chin Rating
Iron
KD Exchange
4/0
KD Recovery
Never Dropped
Pace & Momentum
Fight pacing and round-over-round performance trends
Engagement Score
29.7
Moderate
Strikes/Min
3.6
Standing %
73%
R3 vs R1 Output
137%
Strong Finisher

Key Insights

📊 Favorable damage ratio (2.29x) - consistent striking dominance.

🥊 Iron chin - rarely compromised by strikes.

🎯 Effective knockdown technician - deals significantly more than absorbs.

⚙️ High engagement score (29.7) - maintains relentless pace.

📈 Improves dramatically in late rounds - R3 output 137% of R1.

Round-by-Round Profile

Career average across 13 fights
R1 Control
1:02
R2 Control
1:38
R3 Control
1:45
R1 to Final
+42%
In-Fight Adaptation
Detected across career, comparing R1 vs R3+ patterns
Shifts to headhunting late (+16.4pp in R3).
Target Selection Evolution
Head
+16.4pp
Body
+2.7pp
Leg
-19.1pp
Range Preference Evolution
Ground Shift
+2.5pp
Round Patterns
⬇️ Stronger in early rounds – starts fast
🔄 Low control time – movement-focused fighter
Championship Rounds
Based on 1 five-round fight
Rounds 1-3 Avg
13.4
sig strikes / round
Rounds 4-5 Avg
6.5
sig strikes / round
Output Change
49%
R4-5 vs R1-3
Fades Significantly

Competitive Profile

Division Rankings
Performance metrics ranked within division
Volume
#37
of 45
📉 Below Average
Absorption
#3
of 45
🥇 Top 25%
Accuracy
#16
of 45
🥈 Top 50%
Str Defense
#1
of 45
🥇 Top 25%
Knockdowns
#30
of 45
🥉 Mid-range
Takedowns
#12
of 45
🥈 Top 50%
Submissions
#4
of 45
🥇 Top 25%
Damage Ratio
#5
of 45
🥇 Top 25%
Strength of Schedule
Opponent quality and career progression
Avg Opponent ELO
2964
Elite
Career-wide opponent strength
Elite Wins (ELO 3000+)
0
/ 2
0% Win Rate

Conclusions Summary

Fighter characteristics, strengths, patterns, and competitive insights
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