Youssef Zalal, known as “The Moroccan Devil”, wasn’t always the outgoing personality he is today. Those who know him are used to hearing him before seeing him, and being greeted with a smile. Zalal says he was once extremely shy.
“I was very, very shy. I was like super, super, super shy. I would not talk to girls. I would not talk to anybody. I was just like a shy kid, and once I graduated high school, I really started coming out of my shell a little bit.”
From Kickboxing to the Octagon
Fighting wasn’t Zalal’s initial ambition. His parents enrolled him and his sister in kickboxing classes, marking the start of his mixed martial arts journey. After an initial loss in a tournament, Zalal experienced the “dopamine rush” of winning his first fight. This victory shifted his perspective, leading him to pursue fighting full-time and eventually relocate to Denver, Colorado.
Finding Purpose After Tragedy
At 18, Zalal’s life took a difficult turn when his brother passed away. He has spoken openly about the profound impact of this loss on his life, both inside and outside of fighting.
“With my first career run in the UFC, I really didn’t take purpose. I feel like that’s the biggest difference, and the effect that he has on me is the purpose that I decided to switch and really follow. I think it’s a learning experience and it’s a life experience, and I know he’ll be a part of me, and I can’t wait to represent him even more, and I’ll represent him till I’m the one that’s gone.”
UFC Career and Finding His ‘Why’
Zalal’s professional MMA debut was in August 2017. He secured six consecutive wins, with five by submission. After two and a half years as a pro, he debuted in the UFC in Houston, Texas. Following three straight wins, Zalal faced setbacks, including three losses and a draw, which resulted in him being cut from the UFC.
Zalal admits he struggled to cope with the situation. “I really didn’t know what was going to happen. I had no clue. I think that’s one of the first times I sat down and was like what’s next? I remember the phone call I got from my manager. He was like, ‘what do you want me to push for?’ And I was like, ‘I want that UFC back, and I want to get that taste out of my mouth.’ I think that’s when I found my purpose, found my why, and understood my why.”
Return to the Octagon
Zalal was called back to the UFC after achieving three consecutive wins on the regional scene in Colorado. He returned to the Octagon on March 23, 2024, securing a second-round submission. He then secured two more wins in 2024. Zalal finished his 2025 campaign with a first-round submission over Josh.