The co-main event of UFC Vegas 102 found featherweight Youssef Zalal on his second stint with the promotion and looking to break into the 145lb rankings against Calvin Kattar.
Kattar, despite a three-fight skid, was hanging onto the #10 ranking in the weight class. Zalal, meanwhile, had been perfect since returning to the company.
Zalal started out the opening round landed a few low leg kicks at range. Kattar pressed forward but Zalal’s lateral movement made him extremely hard to catch. Each fighter exchanged jabs in the center of the octagon. Zalal threatened a flying knee while also connecting with a paid of jabs up the middle. Kattar found a home for a big right hand with thirty second left but Zalal landed more over the first five minutes.
Youssef Zalal shot for a takedown in the beginning of the second but Kattar defended well. Throughout the round Kattar would march forward but couldn’t find Zalal who showed incredible footwork and elusiveness evading the veterans punches. Zalal landed a nice jab followed by a leg kick near the one minute mark, seeming to frustrate Kattar. After two rounds it looked like “The Moroccan Devil” was ahead in the fight.
Kattar frantically pressed forward in the third round, needing a finish to win the fight. Pressing Zalal to the fence Katter connected with his best combination of the fight. The Massachusetts native was emptying the tank in the third, but Zalal weathered the storm and circled away. Kattar started to find a home for his straight right hand and Zalal attempted a takedown. A head kick for Kattar nearly landed in the final ten seconds but Zalal moved out of the way as time expired. It seemed Zalal had won the first two rounds, while Kattar battled back to earn the final round.
The judges scored the fight unanimously for Zalal 29-28. This was a highly entertaining contest with Zalal extending his impressive win streak to six overall. Zalal emphatically exclaimed he is a future champion while calling out former title challenger Brian Ortega for a fight at 145-pounds.
Official Result: Youssef Zalal def. Calvin Kattar by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
