Tag: Calvin Kattar

Youssef Zalal Accuses Calvin Kattar Of Underhanded Tactics At UFC Vegas 102: ‘Slipperiest Guy I’ve Ever Seen’

Youssef Zalal may have had his hand raised at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night, but he believes achieving the win was made more difficult by some potential cheating. Zalal recorded the biggest win of his career to date in this weekend’s co-main event at the Apex, where he outpointed top-10 opposition in perennial featherweight contender Calvin […]

Youssef Zalal may have had his hand raised at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night, but he believes achieving the win was made more difficult by some potential cheating.

Zalal recorded the biggest win of his career to date in this weekend’s co-main event at the Apex, where he outpointed top-10 opposition in perennial featherweight contender Calvin Kattar.

But while he’s now won seven straight and can expect a high number next to his name come Tuesday’s rankings update, “The Moroccan Devil” wasn’t totally happy in the aftermath of his triumph.

During his post-fight press conference, Zalal appeared to accuse Kattar of cheating by greasing his body to ensure an advantage in grappling exchanges.

“This is the crazy part: We worked a lot of grappling, and I sh*t you not, I felt like there’s Vaseline all over his legs,” Zalal said. “I swear to God, he was the most slipperiest guy I’ve ever seen in my life, and I felt like I’m not trying to be that guy with this and that (excuse). But man, that was suspicious, bro.

“Nobody slides like that – that quick. I’ve fought a lot of good guys – Jack Shore and all those guys – and I felt when you’re dry and all that stuff, there’s no way. It is what it is. You can cheat the sport, you can do whatever you want.”

‘Zalal To PFL For Running An Entire Round’ – Fans Split As Youssef Zalal Outpoints Calvin Kattar At UFC Vegas 102

Youssef Zalal received the biggest opportunity of his career thus far when he took on Calvin Kattar in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 102. But while he scored a decision win, the result led to a mix of reactions from MMA fans. Kattar tried to take control of the fight from the get-go, looking […]

Youssef Zalal received the biggest opportunity of his career thus far when he took on Calvin Kattar in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 102. But while he scored a decision win, the result led to a mix of reactions from MMA fans.

Kattar tried to take control of the fight from the get-go, looking to blitz with the striking that led him to popularity during his Octagon career. Zalal, however, took advantage of that by using his footwork, keeping distance and landing counterstrikes.

Footwork and distance continued to use this strategy and found success, frustrating Kattar over the course of the remaining 10 minutes to win the fight across all three judges’ scorecards.

While some fans and media members felt it was excellent strategy, others were critical of the performance, stating Zalal would lose fans for the way he fought here.

Youseef Zalal Splits MMA Fanbase With Performance In Win Over Calvin Kattar

After his first stint in the UFC ended unceremoniously, Zalal has won seven straight and is now 4-0 since his return to the Octagon.

Kattar, meanwhile, has now lost four straight and five of six since a January 2021 loss to Max Holloway.

Calvin Kattar vs. Youssef Zalal – Odds and Match Preview

Calvin Kattar vs. Youssef Zalal - Odds and Match PreviewCalvin Kattar and Youssef Zalal are set to face off in a pivotal featherweight bout at UFC Fight Night…

Calvin Kattar vs. Youssef Zalal - Odds and Match Preview

Calvin Kattar and Youssef Zalal are set to face off in a pivotal featherweight bout at UFC Fight Night 251 on February 15, 2025, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. This fight carries significant stakes for both fighters as they look to solidify their positions in the competitive featherweight division.

Calvin Kattar vs. Youssef Zalal Odds

The betting odds for the upcoming UFC featherweight bout between Calvin Kattar and Youssef Zalal suggest that Zalal is the favorite to win. Current odds show Kattar as a +190 underdog, while Zalal is listed at -225, indicating a higher likelihood of victory for Zalal according to bookmakers. These odds mean that a $100 bet on Kattar would yield $190 in profit if he wins, whereas a $225 bet on Zalal would return $100 in profit. For playing additional numbers check out wanted win casino for more games.

Youssef Zalal’s status as the favorite reflects his recent momentum, including a string of submission victories that highlight his grappling dominance. If the fight goes to the ground, Zalal’s submission skills could lead to a finish. On the other hand, Kattar’s striking power and experience make him a dangerous opponent, particularly in stand-up exchanges. A knockout by Kattar is possible if he can control the distance and avoid takedowns.

Youssef Zalal

The odds have remained relatively stable in favor of Youssef Zalal, reflecting confidence in his grappling edge and recent form. However, late betting activity closer to fight night could shift the lines slightly, especially if fans or analysts weigh in on Kattar’s striking threat or his ability to rebound from losses.

Report - Calvin Kattar targeted to make return in huge UFC Vegas 102 fight

Calvin Kattar is a seasoned UFC veteran known for his boxing and elbows. Kattar has earned 11 of his wins via knockout and is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous strikers in the division. Despite his striking focus, he has a solid wrestling foundation from his high school days. However, Kattar is currently on a three-fight losing streak and aims to bounce back in this matchup.

Youssef Zalal is a rising star with a well-rounded skill set but excels in grappling and submissions. After being released from the UFC in 2022, Zalal made an impressive comeback in 2024 with three consecutive submission victories, showcasing his elite jiu-jitsu. He is known for his adaptability, switching stances effectively, and his ability to capitalize on ground opportunities.

For Kattar, this fight represents an opportunity to halt his losing streak and re-establish himself as a top contender in the featherweight division. For Zalal, it’s a chance to continue his resurgence and secure a victory over a highly ranked opponent, potentially breaking into the upper echelon of the division.

This clash of styles, Kattar’s striking versus Zalal’s grappling, makes this an intriguing matchup with high stakes for both fighters’ careers.

Calvin Kattar vs. Youssef Zalal In The Works For UFC Fight Night On Feb. 15

Veteran UFC featherweight contender Calvin Kattar will need to defend his spot in the rankings this year following a difficult period. After a battering at the hands of Max Holloway, Kattar (23-8) kept his name close to the title picture in 2022 by being on the opposite end of a destructive display against Giga Chikadze. […]

Veteran UFC featherweight contender Calvin Kattar will need to defend his spot in the rankings this year following a difficult period.

After a battering at the hands of Max Holloway, Kattar (23-8) kept his name close to the title picture in 2022 by being on the opposite end of a destructive display against Giga Chikadze.

But “The Boston Finisher” hasn’t had his hand raised since. He fell on the wrong side of a contentious split decision against Josh Emmett, lost to Arnold Allen after tearing his ACL mid-fight, and most recently failed to spoil Aljamain Sterling’s featherweight debut at UFC 300.

With that losing skid in mind, Kattar will unsurprisingly be fighting down the pecking order in 2025. And should plans come to fruition, that’ll seemingly be against the charging Youssef Zalal (16-5-1).

The fight was announced by Zalal during an appearance on the JAXXON Podcast.

Zalal exited the UFC in 2022 after going 0-3-1 across a four-fight run, in which he lost to Ilia Topuria, Seungwoo Choi, and Sean Woodson. But since working his way back with three wins on the regional scene, he’s been unstoppable.

The 28-year-old Moroccan went 3-0 under the UFC banner in 2024, submitting Billy Quarantillo, Jarno Errens, and Jack Shore to earn a shot at the rankings and the featherweight top 10.

With this addition, the current fights expected to take place at the UFC Fight Night on Feb. 15 are as follows:

  • Jared Cannonier vs. Gregory Rodrigues (middleweight main event)
  • Edson Barboza vs. Steve Garcia (featherweight)
  • Calvin Kattar vs. Youssef Zalal (featherweight)
  • Yuneisy Duben vs. Carli Judice (women’s flyweight)
  • Ismael Bonfim vs. Nazim Sadykhov (lightweight)
  • Gabriel Bonfim vs. Rinat Fakhretdinov (welterweight)
  • Jose Delgado vs. Connor Matthews (featherweight)
  • Billy Ray Goff vs. Nikolay Veretennikov (welterweight)
  • Dylan Budka vs. Edmen Shahbazyan (middleweight)
  • Vince Morales vs. Elijah Smith (bantamweight)
  • Jesus Aguilar vs. Rafael Estevam (lightweight)
  • Don’Tale Mayes vs. Valter Walker (heavyweight)
  • Kaue Fernandes vs. Jared Gordon (lightweight)

Aljamain Sterling dubs his bland performance against Calvin Kattar ‘the most dominant fight’ at UFC 300

Aljamain Sterling dubs his bland performance against Calvin Kattar 'the most dominant fight' at UFC 300Aljamain Sterling delivered one of the most dominant performances of UFC 300. Unfortunately, it was also one of the…

Aljamain Sterling dubs his bland performance against Calvin Kattar 'the most dominant fight' at UFC 300

Aljamain Sterling delivered one of the most dominant performances of UFC 300. Unfortunately, it was also one of the least exciting — so much so that the ‘Funk Master’ was the only fighter on the night who didn’t get a post-fight interview with Joe Rogan.

After surrendering his bantamweight title to ‘Sugar’ Sean O’Malley in August, Sterling made his move to featherweight official at the landmark event, squaring off with the returning Calvin Kattar who had been on the shelf since blowing out his knee in October 2022. Determined to make a statement in his divisional debut, many expected Sterling to snuff out a highlight-reel-worthy win, especially with a $300,000 performance bonus up for grabs.

But instead, Aljamain Sterling was content to smother Kattar for three rounds, utilizing his superior wrestling skills to keep the five-time Fight of the Night winner grounded and score an uninspired unanimous decision.

Aljamain Sterling

MMA fans inside T-Mobile Arena and those posting from around the world on X made it quite clear how unimpressed they were with the performance — something the ‘Funk Master’ was quick to defend, calling his victory at UFC 300 the most dominant of the night.

“Our fight on that particular night of UFC 300 was not the most entertaining,” Sterling said on his YouTube channel. “But it was the most dominant fight I think you could’ve possibly looked at from the entire card from top to bottom. I think I’m arguably the top 3 most dominant on that entire fight card from top to bottom.

“I think I’m arguably the top three most dominant on that entire fight card. So when you look at that, I think to keep it in perspective is, you got a guy [Kattar] who, on average, lands about 4-5 strikes per minute, who was reduced to about 0.5. over 15 minutes.”

Aljamain Sterling

Aljamain Sterling’s performance didn’t exactly set the world on fire, but it landed him inside the featherweight division’s top 10, taking the No. 8 spot.

Aljamain Sterling

Aljamain Sterling calls for a clash with T-City

Following his success at UFC 300, ‘Funk Master’ called for a clash with 145-pound mainstay and No. 3 ranked contender, Brian Ortega.

“Give me the next best guy,” Sterling said at the post-fight press conference. “I’ll take Brian Ortega, respectfully. He’s a guy I got to train with one time, same management, there’s no bad blood or anything like that. We’re both just trying to chase the same thing. It’s not like he’s my main training partner like Merab [Dvalishvili] was. It’s a different situation. I think I beat a guy like him, and I’m undeniable.”

T-City is coming off a third-round submission victory over former interim champion Yair Rodriguez in February.

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Aljamain Sterling admits he was weighing up retirement if he lost at UFC 300: ‘I was probably done’

Aljamain Sterling reveals plan to retire with UFC 300 loss I was probably doneReceiving stark criticizm for his performance en route to a dominant shutout win over Calvin Kattar in his featherweight…

Aljamain Sterling reveals plan to retire with UFC 300 loss I was probably done

Receiving stark criticizm for his performance en route to a dominant shutout win over Calvin Kattar in his featherweight debut at UFC 300 over the course of last weekend, former bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling claims he was going to retire from MMA if he lost.

Sterling, a former undisputed bantamweight titleholder, made his first outing inside the Octagon over the weekend since his August knockout loss to Sean O’Malley in the pair’s heated title fight at 135lbs.

Aljamain Sterling UFC 300 Carmen Mandato 3

And making good on his first venture at the featherweight limit, Sterling took on fellow East Coast star, Kattar – turning in a one-sided unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) victory over the Boston native, wrestling and grappling his way to a fist victory in the weight class. 

Aljamain Sterling UFC 300 Carmen Mandato 2

Aljamain Sterling reveals potential retirement at UFC 300

Receiving some notable criticizm from a vocal section of the mixed martial arts community for his grappling and wrestling-heavy game plan en route to his triumph, Sterling, who has landed at number eight in the official featherweight pile, revealed a defeat at UFC 300 would have likely ended his tenure in the sport.

“I think if I had got my ass completely handed kicked by Calvin Kattar, I was probably done,” Aljamain Sterling told MMA Fighting. “And no one knew about that. I didn’t share those sentiments with anybody, even my fiancee. It’s just one of those things.”

“I mentioned to her like, ‘Well, if I can’t beat him (Kattar), I don’t know,” Aljamain Sterling explained. “But I didn’t really go into detail what that actually meant. I just kind of said like, ‘We’ll see what happens. I don’t know what’s going to happen’. That’s kind of the way I kept it with everybody.”

Aljamain Sterling UFC 300 Carmen Mandato

Eyeing a potential title-eliminator in his sophomore outing at the featherweight limit, Serra-Longo MMA staple, Sterling weighed up the chance to fight either Movsar Evloev in his return, if not a clash with former title challenger, Brian Ortega next.

Who would you like to see Aljamain Sterling fight next?