After a big 2024, Youssef Zalal has earned himself a marquee matchup.
At UFC Fight Night 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 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The entire card streams on ESPN+.
Two people with knowledge of the matchup recently informed MMA Junkie of the booking but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. Zalal also discussed the matchup on a recent episode of the “JAXXON Podcast.”
Zalal was cut from the UFC in 2022, but worked his way back 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 faced the same fate thereafter, falling victim to Zalal’s slick jiu-jitsu skills.
Kattar aims to snap a three-fight skid that includes defeats against Josh Emmett, Arnold Allen, and most recently, Aljamain Sterling. Kattar was scheduled to fight Kyle Nelson in September, but withdrew due to injury.
With the addition, the UFC Fight Night 251 lineup includes:
- 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’Tale Mayes vs. Valter Walker
- Kaue Fernandes vs. Jared Gordon
- Rodolfo Vieira vs. opponent TBA
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 251.
