UFC Featherweight Youssef Zalal knows exactly how good the current champion Ilia Topuria is
Ilia Topuria “Going to Be a Problem” for Max Holloway
Youssef Zalal was able to welcome Ilia Topuria into the UFC back in October 2020. This was when Youssef Zalal’s scheduled opponent Seung Woo Choi was forced into withdrawing from the fight leaving Youssef Zalal looking for a new opponent. Ilia Topuria stepped in to face Youssef Zalal who was on a 3-fight winning streak heading into that fight. Zalal was able to go the distance against Topuria however, would in the end lose due to a unanimous decision.
After defeating Youssef Zalal, Ilia Topuria would go on to claim five straight wins before getting his UFC Featherweight title opportunity. Ilia Topuria was able to clinch the title by knocking out Alexander Volaknovski at UFC 298. It has been highly speculated that Ilia Topuria will be looking to defend the title when he faces Max Holloway next. Max Holloway is coming into this fight with confidence after his knockout victory over Justin Gathje. This was for the ‘BMF’ Title and extended his winning streak to 3 with wins over Arnold Allen and ‘The Korean Zombie’ Chan Sung Jung.
However, while Max Holloway is coming into this fight with momentum and confidence after his recent performances Zalal doesn’t see him clinching the title. Youssef Zalal explained this when he said to MMA Junkie Radio;
“I just got asked this yesterday. I love Max Holloway and I think they said Max Holloway vs. Ilia – I think Ilia’s going to be a problem,”
“I see him being still the champ next year, 100 percent.”
Youssef Zalal Career Turnaround
Youssef Zalal’s lost to Ilia Topuria would then be followed by another two defeats. These would be against Seung Woo Choi and Sean Woodson before a majority draw against Da’Mon Blackshear. This would eventually lead to his UFC departure. However, this did not stop Youssef Zalal who was able to rebound. This is due to Youssef Zalal clinching 3 straight finishes on the regional scene with Sparta Combat League. This would then get him a call back to compete in the UFC against Billy Quarantillo back in March 2024. Youssef Zalal would go on to get the rear naked choke victory in the 2nd round. Zalal is currently booked to face Jarno Errens on August 10th 2024 at UFC Fight Night 242.
Explaining what has changed since his first stint in the UFC Youssef Zalal explained;
“A lot of things, but mostly is the experience and doing what I love,”
“I feel like sometimes we go into life and we don’t appreciate the things that we do, and I’m very bad at that sometimes. I feel like I’m not patient. I want everything. I want to do this, I want to do that. That’s why in my early UFC career, I was fighting all the time, nonstop.
“For me, there was no patience. Taking risks that you’re not even – like why do you even need to take that risk? Obviously, it’s who I am, just really focusing on enjoying life and really being in the moment and experiencing that journey. That’s the one thing that clicked for me and changed is I know what I love to do, and I know what I want to do.”
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
