Career Averages - SeungWoo Choi
Career Averages - Youssef Zalal
SeungWoo Choi
Youssef Zalal
SeungWoo Choi - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SeungWoo Choi | 0 | 16 of 44 | 36% | 16 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kevin Vallejos | 1 | 14 of 27 | 51% | 26 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SeungWoo Choi | 0 | 16 of 44 | 36% | 16 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Kevin Vallejos | 1 | 14 of 27 | 51% | 26 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SeungWoo Choi | 16 of 44 | 36% | 4 of 20 | 1 of 8 | 11 of 16 | 16 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Kevin Vallejos | 14 of 27 | 51% | 4 of 12 | 3 of 6 | 7 of 9 | 13 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SeungWoo Choi | 16 of 44 | 36% | 4 of 20 | 1 of 8 | 11 of 16 | 16 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Kevin Vallejos | 14 of 27 | 51% | 4 of 12 | 3 of 6 | 7 of 9 | 13 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Angelo picks Kevin Vallejos over Choi Seung-woo. He is very confident in Vallejos, citing his power, speed, and the fact that Choi has been knocked out recently. He notes that UFC debuts can be nerve-wracking but believes Vallejos is the real deal. He expects the odds to move further in Vallejos' favor.
Big Brady picks Kevin Vallejos, calling Choi Seung-woo very hittable and chinny. He notes that Choi has been knocked down or finished by lesser strikers like Michael Trizano and Josh Culibao, and that his style of standing and banging when hurt will backfire against Vallejos. Brady expects Vallejos to land a brutal first-round knockout, predicting he 'pipes up' Choi on sight.
Cody picks Christian Leroy Duncan, citing his speed, movement, and ability to finish. He notes that Eric Anders has been knocked down in his last three fights and is 38 years old. He believes Duncan can land a knockout, possibly in the first round, and considers the KO prop at plus 200.
Connor agrees, noting that Vallejos is a much more natural puncher inside and that Choi will relegate himself to brawling. He compares Vallejos to Jack Della Maddalena without a jab, but still fearsome. He also mentions that Vallejos looks for ways in off his opponent's offense and is a damn good combination puncher once he gets you out of position.
Daniel does not make a clear pick for this fight. He discusses the matchup briefly but does not state a preference or bet.
The host believes this is a horrible matchup for Choi, who may have an output advantage but will eventually be caught by Vallejos crashing the pocket with big shots that put him clean out.
Paul also picks Duncan, noting that Anders is a low-volume fighter who has been dropped early in recent fights. He believes Duncan's speed and athleticism will be too much, and he expects a finish. He is considering the KO prop as well.
The MMA Guru is very high on Kevin Vallejos, calling him the 'people's Main Event' and a real deal prospect. He praises his striking, head movement, and defensive responsibility, noting he took Jean Silva to a decision on the Contender Series at age 21. He criticizes Choi Seung-woo's bad chin and knockout losses, including to Mike Trizano. He predicts Vallejos will get a TKO finish in the second round, possibly late first, and believes he will go far in the division.
Zane picks Vallejos because he believes Vallejos has a good chin (going three rounds with John Silva) and that Choi will eventually brawl, which favors Vallejos' natural pocket punching. He notes that Vallejos is a good combination puncher with defense, and that Choi cannot fight from distance forever. He acknowledges the competition level concern but thinks Vallejos has the tools.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Garcia | 1 | 15 of 27 | 55% | 18 of 34 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:37 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 0 | 9 of 15 | 60% | 9 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Garcia | 1 | 15 of 27 | 55% | 18 of 34 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:37 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 0 | 9 of 15 | 60% | 9 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Garcia | 15 of 27 | 55% | 10 of 19 | 2 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 9 of 19 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 6 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 9 of 15 | 60% | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Garcia | 15 of 27 | 55% | 10 of 19 | 2 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 9 of 19 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 6 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 9 of 15 | 60% | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Garcia (-148), Choi (+124)
Round 1
Finding himself in the unexpected situation of serving as the co-main event after the cancelation of Brad Tavares vs. Jun Yong Park, “Mean Machine” Garcia (15-5, 4-2 UFC) is ready to rise the occasion and lock down his fourth win in a row. The Jackson-Wink fighter will try to hand Choi (11-6, 4-5 UFC) his fourth loss in five fights, and the two featherweights will likely meet in the middle and throw down. When they do, referee Herb Dean will be hanging on tight. There is a touch of gloves, and Garcia is the initial aggressor as he gets into the center of the cage and lands a stomp kick to the knee. Garcia ducks back to avoid two looping hooks, only to race forward and bump into Choi’s forehead to tie him up. Garcia ties up a leg but is unable to put the South Korean down, and when Choi escapes, he throws hands. Garcia welcomes the exchange, and when things settle down, he lands another kick to the knee. Choi chambers and fires a low kick that puts Garcia down to a knee, and Garcia climbs back up and gets swept with another kick. Garcia wades forward, thinks about throwing a front kick and lets it go to stand and bang. Stand and bang is exactly what “Mean Machine” does, rocking Choi and getting clipped in a destructive exchange.
Garcia lands the cleaner of the blows as he continues to slug it out, and he knocks Choi off-balance with a left hand and floors him with another bomb of a left. Choi turns to his side and then knees in an effort to shell up and survive, but Garcia is a man possessed at getting the win. Garcia stings “Sting” repeatedly with hammerfists, raining down a seemingly unending onslaught of fists until Dean has no choice but to stop the fight.
Choi looks up at Dean quizzically as blood streams from his mouth, and Garcia runs to the cage wall to scream and then scales it to shout even louder. This is a big moment for Garcia, who has now picked up four straight knockout victories. The triumphant Garcia calls for an MMA fight against Dan Ige, a popular name lately, while also calling out commentator Daniel Cormier for a golf match.
The Official Result
Steve Garcia def. Seung Woo Choi R1 1:36 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Steve Garcia because he is sneaky good with five UFC wins all by KO/TKO. He believes Garcia's striking and wrestling are there, and that Choi Seung-woo has been finished before. He has placed a bet on Garcia at -140 and expects the line to move.
Cody also picks Garcia but with less confidence, noting Garcia's own durability issues and the fact that both fighters have been dropped. He sees the fight as close to 50/50 and suggests taking Choi if plus money is available. He emphasizes the under 2.5 rounds as the best bet, expecting a violent finish.
Daniel Vreeland picks Steve Garcia by knockout, comparing the fight to a coin flip but ultimately choosing Garcia. He notes both fighters have high knockdown rates and can be dropped, but Garcia's size (6'0", 75" reach) and recent form (5 knockdowns in last 3 fights) give him the edge. He expects a stand-up war ending in a Garcia knockout.
Garcia is a -140 favorite. He relies on his knockout power and has a three-fight KO streak. Choi is more technical but has been finished before. Garcia can survive early pressure and land a big shot to get the KO. I prefer Garcia by knockout rather than moneyline, as his KO line is around +130.
Paul likes Garcia's momentum and power, noting his three-fight winning streak with five knockdowns. He questions Choi's durability, pointing out Choi has been knocked down five times in his last three fights. Paul thinks Garcia's power is the difference and expects a knockout, though he acknowledges both have shaky chins.
The MMA Guru picks Steve Garcia, noting he has doubted Garcia before but he keeps winning. He highlights Garcia's recent finishes over Malik El Kousa, Shannon Nurnbeck, and Chase Hooper, and his training at Jackson Wink. He points out Choi Seung-woo's questionable chin, getting wobbled in most fights, and believes Garcia's power and size at 145 will be too much.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SeungWoo Choi | 1 | 56 of 115 | 48% | 108 of 179 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 5:21 |
| Jarno Errens | 1 | 30 of 76 | 39% | 40 of 88 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:34 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SeungWoo Choi | 0 | 26 of 52 | 50% | 29 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:55 |
| Jarno Errens | 0 | 18 of 41 | 43% | 18 of 41 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:17 | |
| 2 | SeungWoo Choi | 0 | 9 of 19 | 47% | 28 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:34 |
| Jarno Errens | 1 | 4 of 8 | 50% | 14 of 19 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:17 | |
| 3 | SeungWoo Choi | 1 | 21 of 44 | 47% | 51 of 80 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:52 |
| Jarno Errens | 0 | 8 of 27 | 29% | 8 of 28 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SeungWoo Choi | 56 of 115 | 48% | 22 of 69 | 8 of 15 | 26 of 31 | 51 of 107 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 5 |
| Jarno Errens | 30 of 76 | 39% | 13 of 47 | 6 of 14 | 11 of 15 | 30 of 73 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SeungWoo Choi | 26 of 52 | 50% | 10 of 32 | 4 of 6 | 12 of 14 | 24 of 49 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Jarno Errens | 18 of 41 | 43% | 9 of 25 | 3 of 6 | 6 of 10 | 18 of 39 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | SeungWoo Choi | 9 of 19 | 47% | 5 of 13 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 4 | 6 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 5 |
| Jarno Errens | 4 of 8 | 50% | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | |
| 3 | SeungWoo Choi | 21 of 44 | 47% | 7 of 24 | 3 of 7 | 11 of 13 | 21 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jarno Errens | 8 of 27 | 29% | 2 of 16 | 3 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 8 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo acknowledges Choi's three-fight losing streak and recent TKO loss, but notes that his losses came against solid competition. He highlights Choi's technical striking, leg kicks, and takedown setups. Despite the losing streak, he believes Choi is the better fighter and picks him, but with no bet due to the streak.
Big Brady acknowledges Choi Seung-woo's three-fight skid but believes he is much better than his record indicates, with good striking and power. He thinks Choi has improved his takedown defense enough to keep the fight standing. He is not a fan of Jarno Errens, citing a lackluster debut and disadvantages in volume and power. He expects Choi to outpoint Errens over 15 minutes.
Cody picks Errens as an underdog, noting his Dutch kickboxing style and volume. He thinks Choi's chin is deteriorating and Errens can outwork him. Cody likes the plus money value.
Daniel leans Choi Seung-woo, noting that he is the more skilled mixed martial artist. He mentions that Choi has a habit of dropping his right hand and getting countered with left hooks, and his chin may be damaged. He acknowledges that Errens has a good submission game and takedown defense issues. He is not confident and advises staying away from this fight.
James leans towards Jarno Errens as an underdog, citing Choi's poor durability and defensive technique after being dropped multiple times in recent fights. He believes the fight will be a 15-minute striking affair and trusts Errens' durability and technical striking over Choi's power. He notes the line has moved but originally Errens was at +180, which he sees as value.
The host notes that Choi Seung-woo is on a 0-3 slump, has been finished in two of those fights, and his durability is declining. He highlights Choi's poor striking defense and vulnerability to grappling. Jarno Errens has a judo background and decent power, and the host believes his power and grappling advantage will allow him to pull off the upset. The host mentions that Errens' odds have moved from +210 to +140/+150, indicating public support.
Paul picks Errens, noting Choi's low volume and defensive issues. He expects Errens to pressure and land more strikes. Paul is not confident but likes the underdog value.
The MMA Guru picks Choi Seung-woo over Jarno Errens, citing Errens' lack of skill and poor performance against William Gomez. He notes Choi's mixed results but highlights his experience at a high level, takedown defense, and composure. He believes Choi's striking and clinch strength will be decisive, predicting a TKO finish.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Trizano | 2 | 32 of 53 | 60% | 34 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 1 | 26 of 73 | 35% | 26 of 74 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Trizano | 2 | 32 of 53 | 60% | 34 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 1 | 26 of 73 | 35% | 26 of 74 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Trizano | 32 of 53 | 60% | 28 of 49 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 21 of 40 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 12 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 26 of 73 | 35% | 19 of 61 | 3 of 7 | 4 of 5 | 25 of 70 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Trizano | 32 of 53 | 60% | 28 of 49 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 21 of 40 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 12 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 26 of 73 | 35% | 19 of 61 | 3 of 7 | 4 of 5 | 25 of 70 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo sees this as a close firefight between two forward-pressure strikers. He thinks Trizano may be more technical, but Choi is more well-rounded, has higher volume, and is more durable. He notes that Choi's losses were close and he showed durability. He is not sure about betting because the odds are close, but he leans Choi to win.
Big Brady picks SeungWoo Choi to win by decision. He believes Choi is the better striker with more power, and that Trizano doesn't wrestle (only 1-2 takedowns in UFC). He notes Choi has struggled with grapplers but Trizano won't take him down. He criticizes Trizano's recent performances, being outlanded by Lucas Almeida and Chidi Njokuani. He expects a striking match where Choi's power and volume earn him a decision.
Cody picks Choi, arguing that Trizano looks washed and disinterested, with poor striking defense and low volume. He notes that Choi is long, rangy, and versatile with his Muay Thai, and that Trizano has been getting hit and knocked down recently. Cody believes Choi will pick Trizano apart from distance and win by decision or TKO.
Connor picks Choi, noting that Trizano's low output and discomfort in exchanges play into Choi's strengths as a sharp counter puncher. He points out that Choi is dangerous at range and Trizano struggles to force the kind of messy fight that would make Choi uncomfortable. Connor also mentions that Trizano's recent improvements in aggression are not natural, and he still looks uncomfortable in exchanges.
Daniel Levi picks SeungWoo Choi, believing he will land the bigger shots and potentially knock out Trizano. He notes that Trizano has a low-volume point-fighting style and may be on a losing streak, while Choi has faced tougher competition and shown resilience. Levi thinks Choi's power and experience will be too much for Trizano, who has confidence issues after recent losses.
The host sees Choi as the slicker striker with better range and combinations. He notes Trizano struggles when at a striking disadvantage, as seen in losses to L'Empereur and Almeida. Choi's size and reach should allow him to touch Trizano from the outside and win a decision. The host also likes the over 2.5 rounds if the price is right, expecting a kickboxing match without a finish.
Paul leans towards Trizano, noting that Choi's volume is low and that Trizano could mix in takedowns. He acknowledges that Trizano has looked bad recently but thinks the fight is close and that Trizano's wrestling could be the difference. Paul is not confident and calls it a stay-away fight.
The MMA Guru confidently picks SeungWoo Choi, reasoning that Trizano lacks takedown ability and Choi has great takedown defense. He criticizes Trizano's basic, goofy striking and notes that Choi has dealt with unorthodox fighters before. He predicts a 30-27 decision for Choi.
Zane picks Choi, agreeing that Trizano's low output and lack of comfort in exchanges make him vulnerable. He notes that Choi is sharp and dangerous in the first layer of striking, where Trizano tends to get stuck. Zane also points out that Trizano's jab and low kicks may have success, but he won't be able to make Choi uncomfortable enough to win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Culibao | 0 | 46 of 163 | 28% | 64 of 184 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:30 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 2 | 51 of 111 | 45% | 69 of 132 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:58 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josh Culibao | 0 | 17 of 62 | 27% | 18 of 63 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:25 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 1 | 23 of 47 | 48% | 35 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:20 | |
| 2 | Josh Culibao | 0 | 16 of 59 | 27% | 16 of 59 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 1 | 19 of 43 | 44% | 19 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 | |
| 3 | Josh Culibao | 0 | 13 of 42 | 30% | 30 of 62 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:05 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 0 | 9 of 21 | 42% | 15 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:36 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Culibao | 46 of 163 | 28% | 29 of 137 | 6 of 14 | 11 of 12 | 39 of 147 | 4 of 10 | 3 of 6 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 51 of 111 | 45% | 40 of 97 | 7 of 9 | 4 of 5 | 40 of 95 | 6 of 8 | 5 of 8 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josh Culibao | 17 of 62 | 27% | 13 of 56 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 15 of 58 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 23 of 47 | 48% | 20 of 42 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 1 | 17 of 36 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 7 | |
| 2 | Josh Culibao | 16 of 59 | 27% | 10 of 50 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 5 | 15 of 56 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 19 of 43 | 44% | 16 of 39 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 17 of 41 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Josh Culibao | 13 of 42 | 30% | 6 of 31 | 3 of 7 | 4 of 4 | 9 of 33 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 6 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 9 of 21 | 42% | 4 of 16 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 18 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Choi, expecting him to keep the fight technical and avoid a brawl. He notes Culibao is tough and has power but is willing to fight dirty, which could be dangerous. However, he believes Choi's technical striking and ability to mix in takedowns will secure a decision win.
Big Brady picks SeungWoo Choi to win by decision. He notes that Choi is a very good Muay Thai striker with power, while Culibao has zero takedown accuracy in the UFC and is unlikely to take Choi down. He expects the fight to stay on the feet, where Choi has the advantage.
Cody picks Choi, citing his length, Muay Thai background, and improved takedown defense. He thinks Choi's striking will be too much for Culibao, who is shorter and less technical. He expects Choi to win by decision or late stoppage.
Daniel Levi picks SeungWoo Choi, citing his physicality, knockout power, and technical striking. He is not fully convinced about Josh Culibao's ceiling and sees Choi as the better athlete. He notes that Culibao's best chance is to win competitive striking exchanges, but Choi's advantages should prevail. He is not betting the fight.
Choi is the better striker with range and power. Culibao wants to brawl, but Choi can stay on the outside and pick him apart. Culibao's chin is granite, so a decision is likely. Choi is a solid parlay piece. I think Choi wins by decision.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting Choi's length and striking advantage. He thinks Culibao's takedowns won't be effective and that Choi will control the distance. He sees Choi as the rightful favorite.
The MMA Guru picks SeungWoo Choi by 29-28 decision, but warns not to sleep on Josh Culibao. He acknowledges Culibao's skills and close fight with Jordan, but believes Choi's superior stand-up, reach advantage, and Muay Thai credentials will give him the edge. He expects Choi to win the first two rounds clearly, with Culibao possibly taking the third due to volume. He rates Choi's chances at 6.5-7 out of 10, not higher.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Caceres | 0 | 46 of 64 | 71% | 54 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:49 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 1 | 33 of 98 | 33% | 38 of 104 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Caceres | 0 | 29 of 39 | 74% | 29 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 1 | 19 of 65 | 29% | 22 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 | |
| 2 | Alex Caceres | 0 | 17 of 25 | 68% | 25 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:49 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 0 | 14 of 33 | 42% | 16 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Caceres | 46 of 64 | 71% | 22 of 33 | 13 of 17 | 11 of 14 | 37 of 54 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 33 of 98 | 33% | 18 of 78 | 11 of 16 | 4 of 4 | 26 of 85 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 10 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Caceres | 29 of 39 | 74% | 12 of 18 | 9 of 12 | 8 of 9 | 26 of 36 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 19 of 65 | 29% | 13 of 56 | 2 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 15 of 55 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 10 | |
| 2 | Alex Caceres | 17 of 25 | 68% | 10 of 15 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 11 of 18 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| SeungWoo Choi | 14 of 33 | 42% | 5 of 22 | 9 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 30 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo thinks Choi is the more technical striker with better takedown entries, and should win the fight. However, he loves the value on Caceres as a +200 underdog and already grabbed a +3.5 bet on him at -115, meaning Caceres only needs to win one round. He thinks Caceres is tough enough to not get finished and can steal a round. He likes the more/more on the monkey knife fight.
Big Brady picks Choi as the younger, improving fighter who lands harder shots. He notes Caceres is durable but expects Choi to win a clear decision, though he warns that betting a -300 favorite to decision is risky due to poor judging. He sees Choi's takedown defense as a potential issue but believes he's worked on it.
Cody is confident in Seung Woo Choi, citing his size, reach, and striking acumen. He notes that Choi is a former Korean Muay Thai champion and has improved his takedown defense. Cody contrasts Choi's recent wins against solid competition with Alex Caceres's wins over lower-level opponents. He points out that Caceres has not scored a clean knockout since 2010 and lacks the wrestling to take Choi down. Cody believes Choi will out-strike Caceres and potentially finish him.
Lock picks Choi based on power and striking. He thinks Choi's power will be the difference and that Caceres will be outmatched on the feet. He expects Choi to win by decision, noting Caceres is experienced but may be on the decline.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting that Caceres is not used to facing opponents with reach and height advantages. He highlights Choi's cleaner, harder strikes and Caceres's lack of takedown threat. Paul mentions that Caceres's recent wins are over fighters who are no longer in the UFC or are fringe roster members. He believes Choi's size and striking will be too much for Caceres.
The MMA Guru picks SeungWoo Choi, citing his Muay Thai skills, reach, and physical advantages. He questions Alex Caceres' level of competition and believes Choi will out-strike him, particularly with leg kicks, winning by decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SeungWoo Choi | 0 | 10 of 20 | 50% | 10 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Julian Erosa | 1 | 13 of 29 | 44% | 14 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SeungWoo Choi | 0 | 10 of 20 | 50% | 10 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Julian Erosa | 1 | 13 of 29 | 44% | 14 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SeungWoo Choi | 10 of 20 | 50% | 5 of 14 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 10 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Julian Erosa | 13 of 29 | 44% | 10 of 25 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 7 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 7 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SeungWoo Choi | 10 of 20 | 50% | 5 of 14 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 10 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Julian Erosa | 13 of 29 | 44% | 10 of 25 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 2 | 7 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 7 |
Angelo picks Julian Erosa, noting his violence, aggression, and multiple ways to win (KO or submission). He acknowledges Erosa relies on his chin but thinks he has more paths to victory than Choi, who can only win by KO. He has a bet on the fight going under 2.5 rounds at +125 and also bet on it not going the distance at +105.
Big Brady thinks Choi is the much better striker and that Erosa is very hittable with a weak chin. He expects a knockout, predicting Choi finishes Erosa in the second round. He considered betting but decided to pass.
Cody picks Choi, citing Choi's physical strength, excellent jab, and durability. He acknowledges Erosa's pressure and volume but believes Choi's jab and ability to stay on the outside will carry him to a competitive decision win. He notes Choi's fatigue in the third round of his last fight but thinks Erosa's pressure could be neutralized.
Daniel Levi picks SeungWoo Choi, citing his physicality, size, and technical striking. He notes that Choi has been improving and is now more comfortable in the UFC, while Erosa has a tendency to fight with his hands down and has been knocked out multiple times. He believes Choi's technique and strength will be too much for Erosa, and expects a dominant performance.
Jacob picks SeungWoo Choi, citing his speed and precise in-and-out striking. He believes Choi can stuff takedowns and keep the distance, avoiding Erosa's dirty boxing and submissions. He also mentions a pattern where Erosa alternates wins and losses, predicting a loss here. He has Choi in his lineup.
The host picks SeungWoo Choi, believing his Muay Thai and technical striking will overcome Julian Erosa's wild, loopy shots. He notes Choi's improving takedown defense and that Erosa's brawling style plays into Choi's counters. He expects Choi to keep the fight standing and outpoint Erosa over 15 minutes, possibly earning a decision. He mentions Choi's win over Youssef Zalal as evidence of his growth, and that Erosa's wrestling is not better than Gavin Tucker's, which Choi handled.
Paul picks Erosa by KO as a YOLO play, noting Erosa's recent knockout wins and Choi's history of being knocked out. He also bets under 2.5 rounds, expecting a finish. He acknowledges the risk but likes Erosa's pressure and volume.
The MMA Guru picks Julian Erosa to win by submission (d'arce choke) in round three. He expects Choi to land good shots early, but Erosa will make it messy in round two, forcing clinches and takedowns. In round three, Erosa will lure Choi into a war, Choi will lose composure and shoot a bad takedown, allowing Erosa to latch on a d'arce choke.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SeungWoo Choi | 0 | 41 of 109 | 37% | 73 of 144 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 3:39 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 23 of 47 | 48% | 46 of 70 | 3 of 9 | 33% | 1 | 1 | 4:29 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SeungWoo Choi | 0 | 13 of 54 | 24% | 26 of 67 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 12 of 24 | 50% | 19 of 31 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:33 | |
| 2 | SeungWoo Choi | 0 | 19 of 37 | 51% | 34 of 53 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:06 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 6 of 14 | 42% | 14 of 22 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:52 | |
| 3 | SeungWoo Choi | 0 | 9 of 18 | 50% | 13 of 24 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:20 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 13 of 17 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 1 | 1 | 1:04 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SeungWoo Choi | 41 of 109 | 37% | 25 of 84 | 10 of 13 | 6 of 12 | 26 of 93 | 12 of 13 | 3 of 3 |
| Youssef Zalal | 23 of 47 | 48% | 12 of 34 | 9 of 10 | 2 of 3 | 21 of 44 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SeungWoo Choi | 13 of 54 | 24% | 7 of 42 | 4 of 6 | 2 of 6 | 9 of 50 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Youssef Zalal | 12 of 24 | 50% | 5 of 16 | 6 of 6 | 1 of 2 | 12 of 23 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | SeungWoo Choi | 19 of 37 | 51% | 14 of 31 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 10 of 28 | 8 of 8 | 1 of 1 |
| Youssef Zalal | 6 of 14 | 42% | 4 of 11 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | SeungWoo Choi | 9 of 18 | 50% | 4 of 11 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 7 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
| Youssef Zalal | 5 of 9 | 55% | 3 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
In yet another bout stung by opponent change after opponent change, “Sting” Choi (8-3, 1-2 UFC) finds himself glad to face anyone inside the cage, drawing a tough matchup against the recently surging Zalal (10-3, 3-1 UFC) also at featherweight. The third man inside the Octagon is referee Chris Tognoni, and the two men are so glad to be competing tonight that they practically hug when touching gloves. Choi opens up with a leg kick that comes up short, and Zalal walks around the outside and similarly misses with his own leg kick. Choi lets loose with a head kick, and he fires off a one-two that makes Zalal bounce off the cage wall. Choi’s punches are drawing reactions out of his opponent, and he just misses with a head kick that blows back Zalal’s hair. Zalal jabs to the body, and he hops forward with a left hand and ducks out of the way before a counter can find him. Zalal sticks his man with a jab, and is in and out with a body strike but he does take a high body kick. Zalal starts talking, and Choi slams him in the leg with a kick. Zalal’s jabs allow him to get out of danger as Choi is loading up on power strikes, and the South Korean does land with a solid right hand but Zalal rolls with it without issue. Choi scores a body kick and glances off with a pair of punches as he wings heavily, but the speed of Zalal is giving his foe issues as he jabs in and out. Zalal chains a strike into a takedown attempt, and he does not secure it but bullies “Sting” into the wire. Choi grinds his elbow on Zalal’s face while defending himself, and Tognoni asks them to stay busy as a stalemate has presented itself. Zalal pushes up high before changing levels for a low double, but Choi keeps his legs spread far enough apart to keep his balance and break the grip. Choi lands a couple heavy shoulder strikes, but Tognoni breaks them apart. Choi steps back and delivers a leg kick, and gets clipped with a left hand on the way in but he lands as well. As they come together and break, “Sting” stings him with an elbow. Choi tags Zalal with a quick counter, and presses Zalal into the fence before dragging Zalal down to punctuate the round right before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Round 2
Both men jab at the same time to begin the second frame, and Choi walks Zalal down and works him with a left hand. An errant kick from Zalal clanks off the cup, but Choi assures that he is fine and darts forward to pursue a takedown. Zalal, with his back on the fence, jumps up to attack a guillotine choke. In the process, Zalal turns the two around, and he goes after his own takedown while Choi works him with short elbows to the side of the head. Zalal’s single leg takedown attempt ignores a solid elbow to lift Choi’s leg up, but Choi is still able to stay standing on one leg. “The Moroccan Devil” changes it up to a double leg takedown, and Choi keeps elbowing him to break it up. Zalal looks to elevate his opponent, and he does not have the ability to put Choi on his back, leading to Tognoni asking them to keep fighting. Zalal stays pressed on Choi against the cage until Tognoni splits them up. Choi lands a kick on the shoulder, and a few punches clatter off Zalal’s face. Zalal smiles and gets out of the way, but he takes a jab on the chin as he retreats. Choi powers forward with punches before latching on to his opponent for a body lock takedown attempt, but Zalal sees it coming and holds on tight without concern of hitting the canvas. Choi turns the attempt into a throw, and both end up on the ground but Choi cannot keep him there. Zalal looks for upkicks that do not score, and when he stands up, he goes after a flying knee. Choi brushes it aside and cracks him with a right hand. Zalal scores a knee when Choi tries to clinch up, and he connects with a jab but eats a right hand. Choi catches a kick and pushes Zalal down, but Zalal pops up. The two both leap with flying strikes at the same time, and they crash into the fence without landing much of note before the second round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Choi
Round 3
The glove touch commences the final round, and Choi is looking for knockout blows early as he slings head kick and big punches. He backs Zalal away with a kick and then follows it with a slapping leg kick, and his forward momentum bowls Zalal over. “The Moroccan Devil” is sly, and he rolls through to stand back up, where he re-presents his jab. Choi crashes forward with strikes to clinch, and this time, Zalal is not interested in engaging like this. Choi gathers himself and attempts this again, so Zalal jumps guard for a guillotine choke. As there is nothing to it, Zalal bails on it and spins around to attack a double leg takedown. Choi stands him back up, and for the first time, Zalal lifts him up and sets him down. Zalal immediately attacks a guillotine choke, and he rolls to mount as it is locked in fairly tight. Choi grits it out, and he puts Zalal on his back, so Zalal throws his legs up for a triangle choke. The South Korean is not remotely flustered, as he breaks the posture and sits down in Zalal’s guard. Choi drops down a shoulder strike to put Zalal flat on his back, and Zalal sits up only to get dropped back down. Zalal uses upkicks to back Choi off, and as Choi avoids them, he vaults back up. Zalal lands a quick jab but takes two punches for it, and he changes levels for a single leg takedown. Choi defends it by grabbing the fence, and Tognoni does not call it as Zalal is still pushing to try to complete it. Choi sits against the fence and stands up, but Zalal scoops him up and hits a double. “Sting” stands up once more without issue, and he allows Zalal to take his back for a moment. Zalal defends a takedown attempt with a guillotine choke, and he keeps his balance as Choi nearly has him down. Choi stays heavy, keeping his full body weight pressed on his opponent, so Zalal latches on to one final guillotine choke. It is not there, and time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zalal (29-28 Choi)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Zalal (29-28 Zalal)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Zalal (29-28 Choi)
The Official Result
Seung Woo Choi def. Youssef Zalal via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Big Brady picks the underdog SeungWoo Choi, disagreeing with the line that has Zalal as a heavy favorite. He notes that Zalal may struggle to take Choi down, and if the fight stays standing, Choi's striking is very impressive. He also mentions that Zalal is coming in on short notice, which adds to his uncertainty. He is not overly confident but likes the value at plus money.
Daniel Levi picks SeungWoo Choi as a dog-or-pass, viewing it as a close fight. He notes Choi's takedown defense (stuffed 11 vs Evloev, 8 vs Tucker) and believes his physical attributes and kickboxing make him live. He thinks the line moved too far in Zalal's favor and sees value on Choi.
Zalal is a well-rounded fighter with good cardio and a solid ground game. He should be able to mix in takedowns and grind out a decision. Choi has a tough run in the UFC and tends to fade as fights go on. Zalal's pace and pressure will be too much. I expect Zalal to win by decision, using his wrestling and volume striking.
The MMA Guru picks the underdog SeungWoo Choi, believing the odds should be even. He highlights Choi's Muay Thai background and reach advantage, and doubts Zalal's offensive grappling ability to expose Choi's ground game. He predicts Choi will piece Zalal up on the feet for two rounds, possibly slowing in the third, winning a 30-27 decision.
Youssef Zalal - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aljamain Sterling | 0 | 46 of 89 | 51% | 220 of 293 | 6 of 11 | 54% | 1 | 0 | 13:49 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 35 of 65 | 53% | 61 of 97 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 3:59 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aljamain Sterling | 0 | 8 of 24 | 33% | 15 of 31 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:19 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 4 of 16 | 25% | 17 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Aljamain Sterling | 0 | 15 of 29 | 51% | 67 of 88 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:25 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 15 of 23 | 65% | 16 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Aljamain Sterling | 0 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 11 of 14 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:47 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 3:48 | |
| 4 | Aljamain Sterling | 0 | 16 of 22 | 72% | 81 of 101 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 4:16 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 | |
| 5 | Aljamain Sterling | 0 | 5 of 11 | 45% | 46 of 59 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:02 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 10 of 18 | 55% | 21 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aljamain Sterling | 46 of 89 | 51% | 25 of 56 | 12 of 16 | 9 of 17 | 25 of 59 | 15 of 22 | 6 of 8 |
| Youssef Zalal | 35 of 65 | 53% | 25 of 51 | 6 of 7 | 4 of 7 | 32 of 62 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aljamain Sterling | 8 of 24 | 33% | 5 of 14 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 7 | 5 of 19 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 4 |
| Youssef Zalal | 4 of 16 | 25% | 3 of 11 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 4 | 4 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Aljamain Sterling | 15 of 29 | 51% | 6 of 17 | 5 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 10 of 23 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Youssef Zalal | 15 of 23 | 65% | 11 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 15 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Aljamain Sterling | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Youssef Zalal | 3 of 4 | 75% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Aljamain Sterling | 16 of 22 | 72% | 9 of 13 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 9 | 8 of 11 | 2 of 2 |
| Youssef Zalal | 3 of 4 | 75% | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Aljamain Sterling | 5 of 11 | 45% | 4 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 2 |
| Youssef Zalal | 10 of 18 | 55% | 8 of 16 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Zalal (-160); Sterling (+135)
Round 1
Say what we will about UFC card structure and matchmaking as of late, Sterling (25-5, 17-5 UFC) vs. Zalal (18-5-1, 8-3-1 UFC) is a dope matchup. We’ll let them do the talking from here, as referee Herb Dean handles the particulars and draws out a glove touch. It’s time for a featherweight main event.
The two bounce towards and measure one another, with Sterling the one advancing and throwing the majority of the offense early on. Zalal counters with a sharp left hand, and he keeps his jab outstretched. Sterling offers up a number of kicks, missing on several of them. He catches up to “The Moroccan Devil” with a reaching right hand, but it is one-and-done. Sterling circles from side to side while Zalal aims jabs at him, and he shoots in for a single and lifts one of his foe’s legs in the air.
Sterling transitions to a body lock, and when he does not get as Zalal circles out, Sterling trips him up on the way out. Zalal gathers himself easily enough and is about to leap at Sterling with a knee, but Sterling kicks his plant leg out from beneath him to race on top and establish top control. Sterling advances to half guard fairly comfortably while Zalal bops him in either side of the head with his free left fist, and he offers a few elbows off his back as well. Zalal keeps attacking until he can suddenly throw his legs up for a potential armbar. Sterling sits up and takes a breath to calm himself, not twisting or wriggling to put himself further in danger. The former champ works out of it and repositions himself back into half guard. Zalal goes for the triangle again, shoving Sterling back a smidge with an upkick to the chest. Before Zalal can stand, Sterling leaps on top of him and drives knees and elbows to the side until five minutes are up.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sterling
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sterling
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sterling
Round 2
There is a quick glove touch to get started, and Sterling winds up behind two powerful low kicks. Zalal quickly rushes back to circle away from the impact of those kicks, putting his back to the wall and exposing himself for the takedown that comes naturally from the former champ. Sterling considers a single but threatens with a body lock and lets go to scores a few punches. Zalal tries to time him on the way out but is out of range. He does chase Sterling down behind his fists, and he knees Sterling square in the beard. Sterling no-sells it like The Great Antonio against Antonio Inoki and puts the pressure on his foe. Zalal circles and drives home a right hand on the side of the dome. Both men take downs advancing, finding their way to attack and disengaging when it does not fully work. Sterling drops down for a single when pushing Zalal to the fencing, and he stands Zalal up with a couple of big punches on the break.
Zalal tries for another knee, and he wades back as Sterling lunges at him with long, winding hooks. Zalal’s jab is much straighter and quicker, ringing up Sterling a few times and forcing the former champ to try more unorthodox approaches like off-balance punches and oddly timed shots. Zalal spins to complete a back fist, and Sterling ducks it and tackles Zalal to the floor. Sterling hooks his legs around the waist to lock down a body triangle, where he postures up to hammer Zalal with punches to both sides of the head. Zalal turns all the way to give up his back, briefly breaking the body lock but unable to escape from the punches and hammerfists consistently raining down on him. Sterling bludgeons Zalal with well over a dozen unanswered strikes until Zalal turns away and tries to protect his neck. Sterling reasserts his dominant position when they both sit up, with his rapping his left hand around the guard again and again until the round is over.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sterling
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sterling
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sterling
Round 3
Zalal lands a low kick and immediately has to back off, with Sterling quick to corner him aiming body shots and pump-faking his hips. Sterling catches a knee on the chin and drives through to get hold of a single, bringing Zalal to a knee with his foe’s side against the fencing. When Zalal stands back up, he wraps up a guillotine choke, only for Sterling to scoop him up and deposit him gingerly down like a parent putting their young child on a diaper changing table in a public restroom. Zalal’s choke suddenly grows much tighter as Sterling finds himself in submission danger, but like before, the calm, cool cucumber that is the former champion moves just enough to relieve the tension on his throat and free himself. Zalal does establish himself on top after letting the choke go, but Sterling’s scrambles defend him from much of the ground-and-pound.
Sterling looks to push off the hips with butterfly hooks, switching suddenly to wrap up a partial triangle choke. When Zalal stands up to free his neck from the choke setup, Sterling belts him in the face with a crisp upkick. Zalal nods in approval and lowers himself back into the guard uncontested, where he maneuvers himself into side control and takes the back when Sterling scrambles. Zalal ties up a body triangle when he assumes back control, and Sterling sits up and defends his neck from any chokes coming his way. Zalal clings to his adversary but cannot isolate the neck, although his control ability and time sends a clear message. When Sterling gets to one knee, the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Round 4
Sterling walks down Zalal as soon as the round begins, slugging him with several right hands and slinging numerous leg kicks. Zalal’s reaction changes and his body language gets worse as Sterling keeps battering his leg with powerful kicks. Sterling closes in and grabs Zalal from behind, rolling him to the mat and completing the body triangle less than a minute into the round. Sterling softens Zalal up with a steady stream of strong left hands, trapping Zalal with his arm on the other side. Sterling holds his choke arm very closely to under the chin, and Zalal motions that he is thinking about tapping but does not give up. Sterling cinches the forearm under the chin, and he has Zalal’s left arm trapped in the submission so he cannot quite finish it. Zalal grimaces and toughs it out as best he can, rolling over to his stomach to reduce the pressure.
Sterling yanks him back over and has the body triangle just as frustratingly tight as ever. Zalal turns to try to break up the body lock, and he is constantly absorbing strike after unanswered strike. Zalal rolls to his back, with Sterling fully in mount, and it is Sterling who holds on with an arm-triangle choke. The former champ decides not to lock it down so he can bash Zalal in the face again and again. Zalal somehow fights out of the body lock and wills himself back to his feet, but he is under fire immediately as Sterling tears into him with body shots, knees and a few elbows. As he beats down Zalal against the wall, the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Sterling
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Sterling
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-8 Sterling
Round 5
Although Zalal initially comes out aggressively in the final frame, Sterling shuts him down before long with pressure and the threat of a looming takedown. Zalal ignores his concerns and lets his hands go, connecting squarely with a few punches to drive Sterling back. Sterling knows that his best path to victory is through his grappling, and he engages it. Pressing Zalal to the fencing, Sterling hunts for a single and transitions to a body lock with an outside trip. Zalal remains upright but is being controlled as precious seconds tick off the clock. Zalal pushes off at the midpoint of the round, and he throws once before Sterling is on him like a cheap suit.
Sterling swings like a Tasmanian devil, a veritable cloud of feet and fists surrounding him as he smashes directly into Zalal. Sterling’s strikes open up the takedown, which he completes and takes the wind out of the younger man’s sails. When Zalal turns, he exposes himself to the back take magician. Unsurprisingly, Sterling gladly secures back control with his body triangle locked down, and he starts railing Zalal with his left hand en masse. Zalal turns to take the sting out of it, and Sterling follows him and sticks his tongue out while grinning and nodding. Zalal turns to try to brawl while on the mat, and when he sits up, Sterling bludgeons, batters and bruises him with double axe handle smashes and Sakuraba-esque double punches. The moment the final horn blares, Sterling disengages, and he pumps his arms in the air certain that the victory is likely moments away.
The former training partners share plenty of laughs and good spirits after 25 minutes of combat. The victorious Sterling praises Zalal, suggesting that Zalal could fight for a title in the future. Until that happens, Sterling believes it is his time at 145 pounds. He asks for another fight against Movsar Evloev, while saying that he is also coming for champion Alexander Volkanovski. If that latter fight comes together, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sterling (49-45 Sterling)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Sterling (49-45 Sterling)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sterling (49-45 Sterling)
The Official Result
Aljamain Sterling def. Youssef Zalal via Unanimous Decision (49-45, 49-45, 49-45)
Angelo leans on Aljamain Sterling, citing his five-round experience and wrestling edge. He acknowledges that Youssef Zalal is the better striker but believes Sterling's wrestling will be superior, referencing Sterling's performance against Movsar Evloev. He notes that Sterling opened as a favorite but is now an underdog, and he encourages rewatching the Evloev fight to see Sterling's scrambling ability.
Big Brady picks Youssef Zalal over Aljamain Sterling. He notes Zalal's recent improvements and finishing ability, and believes Zalal's cardio and pace will be advantages in a five-round fight. He thinks Sterling may slow down as the fight progresses, and predicts Zalal wins by decision.
The host leans Zalal due to his output, aggression, pace, and volume, plus Sterling's decline and lack of power. However, he admits it's impossible to form a strong opinion because Zalal hasn't faced a wrestler like Sterling in years. He calls the odds fair coin-flip territory and passes on betting.
James picks Youssef Zalal based on stylistic matchup, believing Zalal's footwork and striking will cause problems for Sterling. He notes Zalal's recent improvements and age advantage, and predicts a finish inside the distance as Sterling gets desperate with takedowns.
Zalal is on an eight-fight winning streak with improved wrestling and submission defense. Sterling is a former champion but is 36 and has a questionable gas tank. Zalal should be able to defend Sterling's grappling, use his striking edge, and win a decision. He is the younger, more confident fighter with momentum.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Emmett | 0 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:16 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:48 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josh Emmett | 0 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:16 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:48 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Emmett | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josh Emmett | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Zalal (-440), Emmett (+340)
Round 1
The UFC knew exactly what it was doing when it paired brick-fisted Emmett (19-5, 10-5 UFC) with whirling dervish Zalal (17-5-1, 7-3-1 UFC), and a passing of the torch moment may come when the dust settles. While Emmett may have passed the 40-year-old threshold, the last thing to go is the power. Referee Jason Herzog dons his proverbial hard hat as the two featherweight contenders touch ‘em up.
Zalal approaches with his hands wide by his sides, and his leg ready to fly. Zalal lands a quick kick and darts out of the way when Emmett bears down on him. Zalal whiffs on a front kick, and he shoots for a double when Emmett is about to strike. Zalal succeeds in grounding the Team Alpha Male-trained athlete with ease, and he advances to three-quarter mount while clinging to an arm-triangle setup. Emmett muscles his man over, and Zalal isolates his foe’s arm in pursuit of an armbar. Emmett keeps his weight pressed down on top, and he starts stepping over to try to get out of the sub. With Emmett’s arms both trapped, he is stunned and has to call out “tap tap tap” in order to signal that he is done and does not want to get his limb snapped. The crowd is silenced as Herzog steps in, not entirely knowing what has just happened. Fans start booing until they realize that Emmett verbally surrendered, and then they chill out because Zalal just notched an extremely impressive victory over a perennial contender in under two minutes. In victory, Zalal declares that he will be champion one day.
The Official Result
Youssef Zalal def. Josh Emmett R1 1:38 via Submission (Armbar)
Angelo picks Youssef Zalal, citing his ability to be an outside distance striker or a full-blown grappler. He notes Zalal's high fight IQ and low strikes absorbed per minute. He acknowledges Josh Emmett's power and experience but thinks Zalal's versatility and youth will be key. He is surprised Zalal is almost a 4-to-1 favorite and would set the line at -170.
Big Brady sees this as an easy win for Zalal, who is in his prime at 29, while Emmett is 40 and fighting at featherweight. He believes Zalal can use his speed and footwork to avoid Emmett's power and mix in takedowns. He predicts Zalal by decision.
Connor picks Zalal, agreeing that Zalal's movement and ability to fight at range will give Emmett problems. He notes that Emmett's only major improvement was learning to throw punches at two speeds, but he still lacks dexterity and cage-cutting skills. Connor also mentions that Zalal's performance against Calvin Katter showed he can neutralize opponents, though he cautions that Emmett's power is a constant threat.
Zalal's style is expected to be too difficult for Emmett to track. Emmett may land some big shots, but Zalal should flow with them and get off his own offense, winning a boring decision.
The MMA Guru picks Youssef Zalal, believing his counter-striking and movement will frustrate Josh Emmett. He notes Emmett's predictable overhands and lack of grappling. He predicts a late TKO via knee up the middle.
Zane picks Zalal because he believes Zalal can frustrate Emmett with movement and range control, similar to how Laron Murphy and Yair Rodriguez did. He notes that Emmett lacks a range game and struggles when opponents refuse to engage in the pocket. Zane also points out that Zalal is a dangerous striker with good combinations and that Emmett's limited offensive toolkit makes him vulnerable to a neutralizing game plan.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calvin Kattar | 0 | 38 of 134 | 28% | 38 of 134 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 74 of 133 | 55% | 75 of 134 | 0 of 8 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calvin Kattar | 0 | 8 of 23 | 34% | 8 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 26 of 46 | 56% | 26 of 46 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Calvin Kattar | 0 | 10 of 37 | 27% | 10 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 27 of 46 | 58% | 28 of 47 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Calvin Kattar | 0 | 20 of 74 | 27% | 20 of 74 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 21 of 41 | 51% | 21 of 41 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calvin Kattar | 38 of 134 | 28% | 27 of 110 | 5 of 11 | 6 of 13 | 35 of 128 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Youssef Zalal | 74 of 133 | 55% | 53 of 104 | 5 of 9 | 16 of 20 | 74 of 133 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calvin Kattar | 8 of 23 | 34% | 7 of 20 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 8 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Youssef Zalal | 26 of 46 | 56% | 16 of 33 | 2 of 2 | 8 of 11 | 26 of 46 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Calvin Kattar | 10 of 37 | 27% | 5 of 27 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 7 | 10 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Youssef Zalal | 27 of 46 | 58% | 20 of 35 | 2 of 5 | 5 of 6 | 27 of 46 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Calvin Kattar | 20 of 74 | 27% | 15 of 63 | 2 of 6 | 3 of 5 | 17 of 68 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Youssef Zalal | 21 of 41 | 51% | 17 of 36 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 21 of 41 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Zalal (-395), Kattar (+310)
Round 1
Records are meant to be broken, and torches are meant to be passed. It is not a guarantee of either, but rather that with enough time, everything moves forward. Itching to see if the featherweight division has passed him by entirely, 36-year-old striker Kattar (23-8, 7-6 UFC) had had a tough go of it since his fateful encounter with Max Holloway in 2021. On the other side of that metric is Zalal (16-5-1, 6-3-1 UFC), who bounced out and back into the UFC only to find himself on a solid run of three straight submissions. Whether Kattar can impose adequate resistance or be the fourth in that line, referee Dan Miragliotta will oversee it all from start to finish. Gloves are touched, and both men want to start fairly measured. Picking their shots with jabs and low kicks—a pace that has been consistent for many of the fights on this card—Zalal aims a few more times at the front leg before going up high. Zalal jabs and moves, with Kattar giving chase but not cutting him off or cornering him. Zalal is able to strafe to either side, poking with his strikes and not taking much back. They both flash jabs at the same time, and it is Zalal who follows up with a one-two. The Moroccan is comfortable at his own distance, outshooting the boxer and marking his face up with power punches. Zalal picks a jab to open up a step-in knee, and Kattar walks him down but is stuck in first gear. Zalal reaches his man with a long right hand, and they try to trip one another at the same time. Kattar buzzes the hair with a huge overhand right, and Zalal pecks at him with a left hook before zipping away. Zalal measures another knee up the middle, and Kattar’s chin has no trouble holding up. Kattar puts a little more mustard behind some punches, and Zalal is forced to book it to the side so he does not get hurt. Zalal keeps moving, Kattar keeps chasing and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Round 2
Fists are tapped together before they are traded in Round 2, and they let their jabs fly early. Zalal shoots in for a double, and Kattar easily stuffs it and turns to the side to break away. Zalal jabs the body and then the head, and his head movement keeps him from taking unnecessary shots. Zalal shifts to one direction, then pivots the other way, and he throws out a takedown to keep Kattar guessing. Zalal jabs Kattar up, and his leg kicks mixed in are repeatedly effective. Zalal steps in with a high knee that bounces off the eyebrow, and he checks a kick that flies his way. Zalal splits the guard with a jab and rips a kick to the ribs, and he does not slow “The Boston Finisher.” Kattar follows Zalal around the Octagon, with Zalal doing full rotations and then some while Kattar tries and fails to track him down. Kattar drops low to shoot a faked takedown, and Zalal just misses with an uppercut. “The Moroccan Devil” rifles off a kick to the side, and he chains a few jabs behind it. Kattar reaches him with his own body kick, but it is one-and-done as he is primarily headhunting with jabs. Kattar checks a kick and maintains Zalal’s respect with a scooping right hand over the shoulder, and he appears irritated that he cannot track and lock Zalal down. The horn sounds with Kattar lunging at air.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Round 3
There is a presumptive final glove touch leading into the last round, and Kattar has listened to his corner and is pressing the action even harder than before. Kattar’s chases have turned into borderline jogging sessions, with Zalal rapidly springing from side to side to evade attack. Kattar tries to time an uppercut, and he gets his hands on Zalal at least once in a flurry before Zalal rushes away. Kattar scores a low kick, checks one back and drops to his knees to defend and crawl away from a takedown. Kattar gets up and sprints towards Zalal with looping left hands, and Zalal pecks back with jabs. Kattar sells out and marches through a few strikes to bash Zalal in the cheek with an elbow, and Zalal’s expression changes from light-hearted to one a bit more serious. Zalal keeps hurrying away to one side, and Kattar is tracking him and winding up with big power. Zalal senses danger and slides away, marking up Kattar’s face and swelling up his right eye. Kattar reaches and connects cleanly on Zalal, who stumbles to the side and is no worse for wear. Kattar is buzzing missiles past his intended target, with Zalal doing nothing but running away while Kattar is hellbent for leather. Zalal occasionally sticks out a jab, but over the last few minutes he has been backpedaling even more than usual—drawing boos and questions of what the rule of timidity is for, if a fighter can back away from engagements for minutes at a time without being called on it. Kattar cannot get the home run strike he is looking for, and when the fight wraps, he is understandably disappointed that he got outhustled.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kattar (29-28 Zalal)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Kattar (29-28 Zalal)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Kattar (29-28 Zalal)
The Official Result
Youssef Zalal def. Calvin Kattar via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo is extremely confident in Youssef Zalal, calling him his 'most confident pick on this card.' He highlights Zalal's momentum, improved wrestling and submissions, and Calvin Kattar's inability to defend takedowns. He also notes that Kattar's team (New England Cartel) has not proven they can stop takedowns, so he fades them against any wrestler.
Big Brady picks Zalal by second-round submission, citing Zalal's recent finishing streak and improved aggression. Kattar is 36, on a losing streak, and had a terrible performance against Aljamain Sterling. Zalal has a grappling path and can also win on the feet with movement. He expects Zalal to take down Kattar and submit him.
Connor picks Youssef Zalal, emphasizing Zalal's newfound confidence and flexibility. He notes that Zalal has turned a corner, becoming a more dynamic fighter who can create and take advantage of openings. Connor compares Zalal's development to a sumo wrestler who has found his center, and believes Zalal's adaptability marks him as a potential elite fighter. He acknowledges Kattar's durability and slow-start style but thinks Zalal's improved wrestling and ability to recover from difficulty will be key.
Lucrative James is confident Youssef Zalal will win and cover the -400 price tag. He believes Zalal is the better striker, kickboxer, grappler, and wrestler everywhere except pure boxing, where Kattar has an edge. He highlights Zalal's elite footwork and defensive skills, noting that even Ilia Topuria struggled to land clean on him. He expects Zalal to outclass Kattar on the outside with jabs and leg kicks, and predicts a 30-27 decision. He dismisses the idea of betting Kattar as a value underdog, stating the narrative that Kattar is washed is correct.
Zalal is the better fighter with momentum. He will remain competitive on the feet and then get the fight to the ground, showcasing his aggressive submission approach. He is more aggressive than Sterling, who couldn't finish Kattar, and will find a submission.
The MMA Guru picks Youssef Zalal over Calvin Kattar, citing Zalal's ability to mix it up with wrestling, low kicks, and boxing. He notes Kattar's recent losses, injuries, and susceptibility to leg kicks. He believes Zalal will chew up Kattar's legs, grapple, and win a decision, possibly with a 10-8 round.
Zane picks Youssef Zalal confidently, citing Zalal's transformation into a more confident, aggressive, and well-rounded fighter. He notes that Zalal has developed killer instinct, recovers well from difficulty, and has incorporated wrestling effectively into his flow. Zane contrasts this with Calvin Kattar's slow starts and recent losses to elite fighters, suggesting Kattar may have hit a wall stylistically. He believes Zalal is primed for a run and that this fight is a great opportunity for him to prove he's a top-10 fighter.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 10 of 21 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:49 |
| Jack Shore | 1 | 13 of 27 | 48% | 21 of 37 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 2:07 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Youssef Zalal | 0 | 7 of 15 | 46% | 9 of 18 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:49 |
| Jack Shore | 0 | 7 of 17 | 41% | 13 of 23 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:39 | |
| 2 | Youssef Zalal | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jack Shore | 1 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 8 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:28 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youssef Zalal | 8 of 18 | 44% | 8 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 7 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Jack Shore | 13 of 27 | 48% | 9 of 22 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 11 of 23 | 0 of 2 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Youssef Zalal | 7 of 15 | 46% | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 6 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Jack Shore | 7 of 17 | 41% | 3 of 12 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 15 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Youssef Zalal | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jack Shore | 6 of 10 | 60% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Zalal (-258), Shore (+210)
Round 1
What was once an extremely promising resume listed at 16-0 has transformed into 17-2 in the span of two years for Welshman Shore (17-2, 6-2 UFC). A pair of stoppages have turned him away from elite opposition, and he now draws a resurgent Zalal (15-5-1, 5-3 UFC) in what should be a fast-paced and exciting featherweight affair. The third man in the Octagon will be referee Luke Boutin, clocking the fighters in as they share a swift tap of gloves. Zalal immediately sticks out a jab, and Shore’s eye is red instantly. Zalal pushes out a front kick and dodges a jab, and he puts a few leg kicks on his opponent’s front wheel. Shore tries to check one and comes out swinging with an overhand right, and the Zalal jabs have further transformed his face to a redder color. Shore crashes the pocket and shoots for a single, and Zalal leans against the fence to defend it. Zalal watches the video screen to see the other side of his opponent, and Shore wrenches him down to his hands. Shore legally knees Zalal in the face while Zalal’s hands are down, and Zalal drops down to a single knee before blasting to his feet. Shore elevates his man down once more, and Zalal lowers himself to a knee to not get kneed in the face. Zalal works his way up and pushes Shore to the wall, and Shore explodes out of it and whips a kick at “The Moroccan Devil.” Zalal loads up on power strikes, opening him up to a three-punch counter. As the fighters trade hands, the fans again decide it is the right time to voice a political opinion about their current leader. Shore takes a few punches on the chin to push Zalal to the wall, and Zalal uses a kimura to turn Shore around. Zalal uses a body lock to lower Shore to the mat, and he hits the ground in half guard. Zalal wraps his arm around Shore’s head to keep him pinned down to the ground, but Shore still fights out of the choke and nearly gives up his back. Zalal positions himself to where he can get both hooks in, and he turns Shore around and starts hunting for a cranking submission. The neck crank does not get a tap, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Round 2
The two touch gloves, and Zalal opens up with a few jabs. Shore walks into a jab and a right hand, and Zalal’s counters are quicker and he is evasive enough to block the strikes from coming. As Shore ducks down, “The Moroccan Devil” fires off a devilishly powerful knee up the middle that knocks Shore to his seat. Zalal leaps on top into half guard, and he establishes an arm-triangle choke.
Zalal locks down the arm-triangle and does not even need to move to the side, instead pressing his full body weight down while in mount to complete it. Shore hangs on tight, but he has to tap out before getting rendered unconscious.
Boutin gets between them, and Zalal has just notched arguably the largest win in his career while breaking a tough stretch of decisions tonight. That marks three wins in 2024 for the Factory X fighter, all by submission.
The Official Result
Youssef Zalal def. Jack Shore R2 0:59 via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke)
Angelo sees Youssef Zalal as the better wrestler, grappler, and more technical striker in this matchup. He notes Zalal's 2.0 version since returning to the UFC has been a buzzsaw, with improved wrestling and ground control. He mentions Zalal's low striking absorption rate (1.73 per minute) and high fight IQ. He also highlights Zalal's recent submission win over Jarno Errens. Angelo is confident Zalal will win and considers the -225 price affordable.
Big Brady picks Youssef Zalal to win by decision. He notes that Zalal has looked much more aggressive in his second UFC stint, finishing opponents, while Jack Shore is moving up to featherweight and will be undersized. Brady believes Zalal is the better striker and can compete in grappling, stuffing takedowns and possibly getting his own. He expects a close fight but thinks Zalal does enough over 15 minutes.
Cody picks Youssef Zalal, citing his improved grappling and striking since his return to the UFC. He notes that Zalal is younger, faster, and more well-rounded than Shore, who he sees as undersized and struggling against physical opponents. He believes Zalal's movement and takedown ability will be too much for Shore, and expects a dominant performance.
Daniel Vreeland picks Youssef Zalal, citing his resurgence and improved skills since returning to the UFC. He believes Zalal's movement, footwork, and ability to mix in takedowns will be too much for Jack Shore, who is stuck between weight classes. Vreeland notes that Zalal has looked impressive against solid competition and is on a trajectory to face ranked opponents, while Shore is underwhelming and in the wrong division.
Shore is dealing with recency bias as a big underdog, but his relentless wrestling style can still prove fruitful, especially since Zalal doesn't present the athletic and physical dangers that Shore's recent opponents have, allowing Shore to grind out a win and spoil Zalal's winning streak.
Paul agrees, noting that Zalal has looked impressive in his second UFC stint and has a well-rounded skill set. He points out that Shore struggles against physically stronger opponents and that Zalal's speed and technique will give him problems. He believes Zalal is the rightful favorite and should win comfortably.
The Guru picks Youssef Zalal over Jack Shore, citing that Shore is not a true featherweight and lacks physicality. He notes Zalal's momentum, improvements in grappling, and recent performances, including a win over Billy Quarantillo as an underdog. He believes Zalal's technical skills and confidence will be key, while Shore's move up in weight is a disadvantage.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 10 of 12 | 83% | 10 of 12 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 1:08 |
| Jarno Errens | 0 | 6 of 26 | 23% | 7 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Youssef Zalal | 0 | 10 of 12 | 83% | 10 of 12 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 1:08 |
| Jarno Errens | 0 | 6 of 26 | 23% | 7 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youssef Zalal | 10 of 12 | 83% | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 9 | 10 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jarno Errens | 6 of 26 | 23% | 3 of 22 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 6 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Youssef Zalal | 10 of 12 | 83% | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 9 | 10 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jarno Errens | 6 of 26 | 23% | 3 of 22 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 6 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Zalal (-395), Errens (+310)
Round 1
Attention shifts to the featherweight division, where Errens (14-5-1, 1-2 UFC) awaits Zalal (14-5-1, 4-3-1 UFC) at 145 pounds. Mike Beltran serves as the third man in the cage. Errens pumps out his jab, looking to get a read on range. Zalal greets him with a leg kick, then another and another. Errens light on his feet in the center of the cage. He shoots a leg kick of his own, then and overhand right. Leg kick from Zalal. Errens answers with a jab. Another leg kick from Zalal. Errens whiffs on a spinning wheel kick, then charges forward. Zalal scores with a left hook to the body. Eye poke from Errens results in pause to the action and warning from Beltran. Errens looks to up the aggression midway through the round. Zalal shoots on the hips and powers the Dutchman into the cage. Errens avoids the initial takedown attempt but not the second. Zalal establishes top position, then moves to the back with a body triangle. Errens stands.
Zalal goes to work on a rear-naked choke, forces his arms into place, tightens his squeeze and prompts the tapout
.
The Official Result
Youssef Zalal def. Jarno Errens—Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) 3:52 R1
Angelo is very confident in Zalal because of his high fight IQ, incredible defense (only 1.73 significant strikes absorbed per minute), and well-rounded skills. He notes that Errens overcommits and extends while chasing power, which sets him up to be taken down. Zalal is one of Angelo's most confident picks on the card.
Cody is high on Zalal, citing his improved grappling, slick Jiu-Jitsu, and dominant win over Billy Quarantillo. He notes Errens has poor takedown defense (26%) and is one-dimensional. Cody expects Zalal to submit Errens and took Zalal by submission at plus 310.
Zalal has a solid all-around game with good striking, leg kicks, and aggressive grappling, plus high-level cardio training at elevation. Errens has shown flaws in takedown defense and has been out-grinded by strikers. Zalal should mix in takedowns to separate himself and win on the scorecards, though Errens is tough to finish.
Paul agrees, calling Zalal a potential top-five guy. He notes Errens' takedown defense is a massive flaw and Zalal should dominate. Paul took Zalal by submission as well, believing Zalal will take the smart route and not risk striking.
The MMA Guru picks Youssef Zalal, citing his experience and underrated skills. He notes Zalal's ability to float on the outside and play the point-fighting game, which he believes will be effective against Jarno Errens. He mentions Zalal's close fight with Ilia Topuria and his win over Billy Quarantillo as evidence of his quality. He dismisses Errens' recent win over Steven Nguyen, stating Zalal is a step up in competition.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 10 of 50 | 20% | 26 of 74 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:21 |
| Billy Quarantillo | 0 | 33 of 56 | 58% | 37 of 62 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 2 | 0 | 2:55 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Youssef Zalal | 0 | 8 of 40 | 20% | 15 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:21 |
| Billy Quarantillo | 0 | 31 of 49 | 63% | 33 of 52 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:33 | |
| 2 | Youssef Zalal | 0 | 2 of 10 | 20% | 11 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Billy Quarantillo | 0 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 4 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:22 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youssef Zalal | 10 of 50 | 20% | 8 of 36 | 0 of 8 | 2 of 6 | 10 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Billy Quarantillo | 33 of 56 | 58% | 18 of 36 | 5 of 9 | 10 of 11 | 28 of 49 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 6 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Youssef Zalal | 8 of 40 | 20% | 6 of 28 | 0 of 6 | 2 of 6 | 8 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Billy Quarantillo | 31 of 49 | 63% | 17 of 31 | 5 of 8 | 9 of 10 | 26 of 42 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 6 | |
| 2 | Youssef Zalal | 2 of 10 | 20% | 2 of 8 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Billy Quarantillo | 2 of 7 | 28% | 1 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Quarantillo (-148), Zalal (+124)
Round 1
Keeping the main card pushing, the hyper-aggressive Quarantillo (18-5, 6-3 UFC) will welcome kickboxer-turned-wrestler Zalal (13-5-1, 3-3-1 UFC) back to the Octagon after a year and half away. While Quarantillo has battled three top-25 names in that span, Zalal has crushed three adversaries in the Sparta Combat League promotion—the last coming at the end of a night where he won a boxing match, then a kickboxing match, and tapped a kickboxer in the MMA finals. Speed will be the name of the game in this featherweight encounter, and referee Herb Dean will try to keep up. Gloves are tapped, and Zalal moves right to the middle of the cage to plant a kick on the lead leg of the Floridian. When Quarantillo comes forward to throw hands, Zalal skirts on the outside and lands another slapping calf kick. Zalal pokes out a jab and has a third leg kick find its home, and he is able to dance away from “Billy Q.” Zalal gets off kicks on the inside and out of his foe’s leg, and he snaps a jab out to follow. Quarantillo again telegraphs his blitz, and Zalal dodges everything but a leg kick and a power right hand. Zalal rolls with it and strafes from side to side, not letting Quarantillo find his pattern yet. Quarantillo steps in with a knee that brushes his past his target, and he reaches out with a right hand. Zalal keeps moving and lands a knee to the chest, and Quarantillo chases him and walks into a punch to the ribs and a low kick. Quarantillo lumbers in with a right that whiffs, and Zalal rings his bell with a right hand as he delivers kicks to several targets. Zalal hops in and out, landing another one-two as Quarantillo shakes his head. Quarantillo crashes forward and results in a clinch, and Zalal scrambles away and points at the ground as he would prefer to strike. Zalal takes a right hand on the temple and drops to a knee, and he fires back and gets Quarantillo’s attention with a flurry of punches. The right hand from Zalal tags Quarantillo another time, nails him with a knee and he hits a trip that takes “Billy Q” off his feet. Zalal moves into the guard, and he hacks down with elbows and prevents Quarantillo from getting his butterfly hooks in. Quarantillo rolls for an armbar, and Zalal sees it coming and turns to the right side and batters him with punches and elbows. Zalal steps over to take the back, and he hooks up a body triangle and hunts for a standing rear-naked choke when Quarantillo stands. Quarantillo falls to the ground, with the grip on his chin and not under it, and he toughs it out and winces in pain. Zalal crushes with the squeeze until Quarantillo punches his way out of it, and he smacks Quarantillo on the side of the head until the one-sided round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Round 2
Quarantillo starts the round aggressively, winging overhand rights, and tries to counter kicks with this big right hand. Zalal slides from side to side, landing a front kick and a few punches until he closes in to hit a trip and toss Quarantillo to his back. Zalal ignores a rubber guard moment from his opponent so he can punish Quarantillo with punches and hammerfists, and he stacks Quarantillo up and thwarts an armbar as Quarantillo turns to his knees. Zalal hangs on from behind again, and he drags a standing Quarantillo back down and locks down a body triangle.
Zalal hunts for a rear-naked choke, and he wriggles his forearm beneath the chin. When the choke locks down, Quarantillo quickly knows that this is it for him, and he surrenders with taps on the arm.
This is a stellar performance for the returning Zalal, who ended a seven-fight streak in the Octagon of going the distance by running roughshod over a solid featherweight in Quarantillo.
The Official Result
Youssef Zalal def. Billy Quarantillo R2 1:50 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo is very confident in Billy Quarantillo, placing a full unit bet on him at -146. He believes Quarantillo's constant forward pressure and high output will overwhelm Zalal, who prefers to point fight from the outside. He expects the line to rebound to -300 and advises jumping on the current value.
Big Brady picks Billy Quarantillo, citing his high volume (almost 8 strikes per minute) compared to Zalal's low volume (2.75). He notes Zalal is durable and has good cardio but will be outworked. He thinks Quarantillo will drown Zalal with activity and win a decision.
Cody picks Quarantillo, citing his volume, durability, and ability to push a pace. He thinks Zalal's wrestling could be neutralized by Quarantillo's scrambling and constant forward pressure. Cody notes that Zalal is returning after a layoff and may not be ready for Quarantillo's relentless style.
Daniel Vreeland leans toward Youssef Zalal, believing he can pick Quarantillo apart with his striking and avoid getting drawn into a brawl. He notes Zalal has never had cardio issues and has won rounds against top competition. He thinks Zalal's maturity and composure will be key, but he would have liked better odds.
Zalal is the better striker with good combinations and cardio. He should be able to outwork Quarantillo on the feet and avoid takedowns. Quarantillo is a slow starter who relies on pressure and grappling, but his takedown success rate is low. Zalal's improved aggression could be key, but there is concern about Quarantillo's clinch and submission threats. Zalal by decision is the pick.
Paul agrees with Cody, emphasizing Quarantillo's volume and the value at minus 140. He believes Zalal's path to victory via takedowns is difficult because Quarantillo fights to get back up and throws volume. Paul sees Quarantillo as the clear play.
The MMA Guru picks Youssef Zalal as an underdog over Billy Quarantillo, believing Zalal is a better striker with good cardio and reach. He criticizes Quarantillo's slow movement and poor standup. He thinks Zalal will finish Quarantillo by TKO, catching him coming in with straight punches.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Da'Mon Blackshear | 0 | 63 of 150 | 42% | 82 of 179 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 1 | 4:52 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 27 of 69 | 39% | 40 of 91 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 1 | 2 | 3:51 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Da'Mon Blackshear | 0 | 1 of 8 | 12% | 9 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:22 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 6 of 13 | 46% | 12 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:43 | |
| 2 | Da'Mon Blackshear | 0 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 1:35 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 9 of 14 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 1 | 3:08 | |
| 3 | Da'Mon Blackshear | 0 | 59 of 136 | 43% | 67 of 152 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:55 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 19 of 53 | 35% | 19 of 53 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Da'Mon Blackshear | 63 of 150 | 42% | 43 of 126 | 13 of 14 | 7 of 10 | 42 of 114 | 5 of 7 | 16 of 29 |
| Youssef Zalal | 27 of 69 | 39% | 10 of 42 | 6 of 11 | 11 of 16 | 27 of 69 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Da'Mon Blackshear | 1 of 8 | 12% | 0 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Youssef Zalal | 6 of 13 | 46% | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 9 | 6 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Da'Mon Blackshear | 3 of 6 | 50% | 1 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Youssef Zalal | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Da'Mon Blackshear | 59 of 136 | 43% | 42 of 116 | 12 of 13 | 5 of 7 | 39 of 101 | 4 of 6 | 16 of 29 |
| Youssef Zalal | 19 of 53 | 35% | 9 of 36 | 5 of 10 | 5 of 7 | 19 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Zalal (-120), Blackshear (+100)
Round 1
The Factory X-trained Zalal, who is in the midst of a three-bout skid, will welcome former Cage Fury Fighting Championship title holder Blackshear to the Octagon in this bantamweight scrap. Herb Dean will get the first referee assignment of the card. They touch gloves before trading low kicks. Blackshear is feinting with jumping front kicks while continuing to work the outside leg of his opponent. Blackshear continues to chip away at the legs before Zalal changes levels for a takedown. Blackshear attempts to post before Zalal forces his back down to the mat. Blackshear with a couple elbows to the head as Zalal attempts to navigate his guard. Blackshear walks his legs up and threatens with an armbar, but Zalal isn’t in trouble yet. Zalal stacks Blackshear near the cage and drops a short right hand. Zalal lands a few more short punches before Blackshear transitions to a leg lock. Blackshear clings to the leg and Zalal grabs a leg of his own. Shortly thereafter, Blackshear scrambles his way into a back take and he has both hooks in with 30 seconds remaining. Blackshear lands a couple right hands to the head and controls positioning until the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Blackshear
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Blackshear
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Blackshear
Round 2
Blackshear with a jumping front kick and Zalal answers with a left jab. blackshear connects with a sharp right hand. The CFFC veteran shoots for a takedown against the fence and Zalal defends. Blackshear locks his hands, lifts and dumps his opponent on his seat. Zalal gets to a knee, which allows Blackshear to take the back. He’s too high, though, and Zalal slips off and assumes control, eventually working his way to his oppponent’s back. Zalal hunts for a rear-naked choke with a body traingle secured. Blackshear turns his head and fights the hands. Blackshear moves to his knees and then powers out of the predicament, dropping ground-and-pound from above in the process. Blackshear tries for a choke without back control and Zalal returns to his feet and shoots for a takedown against the fence. He gives up on the takedown and maintains a body lock. Blackshear reverses and turns his man to the fence as the grappling heavy affair continues. Blackshear drops low for a single leg. Zalal defends, but Blackshear spins around and jumps on his back. Zalal is carrying Blackshear like a backpack, leaning into the fence ot help carry the weight. Blackshear is attempting to slide his left arm under the chin in the waning moments of the round. It gets a little deeper but Zalal does a good job of keeping his chin down until the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Blackshear
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Blackshear
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Blackshear
Round 3
Zalal walks forward and flicks out a jab, and Blackshear answers with a right hand. Blackshear whiffs on a superman punch, and Zalal lands a straight right. Zalal denies a level change as the bantamweights nearly clash heads. Zalal follows a jab with a step-in knee that just misses. Another jab for Zalal gets through. A glancing high kick lands for Zalal, who is looking to strike this round. They trade low kicks and Zalal lands a straight right ot the body. Blackshear is slowing down and Zalal flurries with a combination near the fence. Blackshear circles away and Zalal keeps the pressure on. Blackshear dives low for a takedown and grabs hold of a leg. Zalal hops on one leg before freeing himself. Zalal pressures against the fence with a punching combination. Zalal keeps the heat on and throws a pair of elbows. They tie up and Blackshear eats an elbow. Zalal stalks his man and lands more punches. A counter left hook lands for Blackshear, but Zalal does damage with a kick and punch to the body. Zalal walks his man into the fence and drops Blackshear to a knee with another clean body shot. Zalal follows his man to the mat and drops elbows from above. He transitions to side control and is teeing off with punches and hammerfists. Dean is taking a close look as Zalal achieves full mount. Zalal tees off all the way until the horn, but Blackshear survives.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Zalal (28-28)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-8 Zalal (28-28)
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-8 Zalal (28-28)
The Official Result
Da’Mon Blackshear vs. Youssef Zalal is declared a majority draw (29-28, 28-28, 28-28) R3 5:00
Angelo picks Da'Mon Blackshear despite it being short notice, citing his athleticism, speed, and power. He notes that Zalal is tough to finish and has great defense, but believes Blackshear can win if his conditioning holds up and he can defend takedowns. However, Angelo is not betting on this fight due to the short notice uncertainty.
Big Brady leans toward Youssef Zalal to win by decision. He notes that Zalal has had a year off and is dropping to bantamweight, which could be beneficial. Zalal impressed in his last fight against Sean Woodson, showing good striking and wrestling. Blackshear is tough with good grappling, but Brady thinks Zalal is a little better overall and should win a decision.
Cody picks Blackshear as an underdog, citing Zalal's low output and reliance on wrestling. He notes Blackshear is physically strong, has excellent cardio, and has submitted several prospects. Cody thinks Blackshear will stuff takedowns and break Zalal down.
Daniel Levi leans Youssef Zalal, citing his experience inside the UFC and his back being against the wall. He notes that Zalal has paid his dues and has a solid grappling game. However, he acknowledges Blackshear's athleticism and unorthodox style, and that Blackshear could make big leaps. Levi predicts a split decision for Zalal.
The host includes Blackshear in his totals parlay, betting over 2.5 rounds. He notes that Blackshear has never been finished in his professional MMA career, so he expects the fight to go the distance or at least past 2.5 rounds.
Paul leans toward Zalal, noting his youth and experience. He is interested in live betting to see if Zalal can get takedowns early. Paul is hesitant because Zalal has struggled against stronger grapplers, but he thinks Zalal's game plan could be to win rounds.
The host picks Youssef Zalal, acknowledging Blackshear is a decent underdog but trusting Zalal's youth (25) and improvements after time off. He notes Zalal's close fights with tough opponents and believes he can avoid being finished. The host cites Blackshear's losses to composed fighters like Pat Sabatini and Chris Moutinho as a pattern.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Woodson | 0 | 40 of 116 | 34% | 104 of 204 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 1:03 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 42 of 89 | 47% | 55 of 112 | 2 of 17 | 11% | 0 | 0 | 6:21 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 11 of 38 | 28% | 28 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 17 of 31 | 54% | 20 of 37 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 1:46 | |
| 2 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 15 of 46 | 32% | 24 of 61 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 15 of 34 | 44% | 19 of 42 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:46 | |
| 3 | Sean Woodson | 0 | 14 of 32 | 43% | 52 of 81 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:39 |
| Youssef Zalal | 0 | 10 of 24 | 41% | 16 of 33 | 0 of 8 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:49 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Woodson | 40 of 116 | 34% | 23 of 88 | 6 of 12 | 11 of 16 | 33 of 107 | 7 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Youssef Zalal | 42 of 89 | 47% | 18 of 62 | 9 of 11 | 15 of 16 | 40 of 85 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sean Woodson | 11 of 38 | 28% | 4 of 26 | 2 of 6 | 5 of 6 | 11 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Youssef Zalal | 17 of 31 | 54% | 6 of 19 | 3 of 4 | 8 of 8 | 17 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Sean Woodson | 15 of 46 | 32% | 7 of 35 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 7 | 14 of 44 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Youssef Zalal | 15 of 34 | 44% | 8 of 26 | 3 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 14 of 32 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Sean Woodson | 14 of 32 | 43% | 12 of 27 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 3 | 8 of 25 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Youssef Zalal | 10 of 24 | 41% | 4 of 17 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 9 of 22 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
We move along to the featherweight division with a match between sharp strikers as “The Sniper” Woodson (7-1, 1-1 UFC) takes on “The Moroccan Devil” Zalal (10-4, 3-2 UFC). Keeping his head on a swivel is referee Keith Peterson, who destroys all the nonsense in the building. A touch of gloves to start things off, and Woodson reaches out with several long strikes and takes advantage of his sharp jab early. Zalal returns fire with a calf kick, and Woodson changes stances and walks face-first into a punch. “The Sniper” snipes at Zalal’s legs with his own calf kicks, and the preeminent strike thus far is a kick down low. Zalal advances and looks to close the distance, crowding Woodson and getting past his reaching jabs. Zalal gets off a few punches on the outside, and “The Sniper” chases after him but is reaching and lunging recklessly. Zalal corners his foe into the cage, and he starts to rip into Woodson, only to eat a stiff counter. Zalal backs off, rushes back in and ducks low for a double. The Glory MMA & Fitness representative stuffs the takedown, and he gets a break to fire off a few distance kicks. Woodson clocks Zalal with a one-two, and he just whiffs with a high kick. Zalal takes a kick to the body as he stays loose and on his bike, trying to find his way back in. Both men fire off spinning kicks, but it is Zalal that connects with one to the body. “The Sniper” snipes with a left hand, only to be greeted with a takedown attempt. Like before, Woodson defends it well, and hacks at Zalal’s head with a couple elbows. Woodson punches the thigh and body as he is pinned to the wire, and he makes Zalal pay for the attempt with a few strikes on the inside before breaking. Zalal backs off, and he attacks one final takedown right before the 10-second clapper. When he lands it, Woodson stands up, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Round 2
Woodson marches out of his corner to engage, and Zalal is right there to meet him. A few reaching punches from Woodson score, and Zalal fires back with some calf kicks and a clubbing right hand. Woodson does not let him of the hook, as he pressures Zalal towards the cage, landing a few punches to varying targets. Zalal looks to brawl, and Woodson eats a right hand while trying to jab his way out of danger. “The Moroccan Devil” throws hands until ducking down for a takedown attempt, and Woodson keeps his wits and balance about him as he pushes away and shakes his head. Zalal answers this with another double, forcing the striker to defend with his back on the cage wall. Zalal turns it into a single, and he elevates Woodson in a moment only to set him back down where there is nothing to it. Woodson fires off an elbow to get Zalal to back off, and he tattoos Zalal’s body with a kick on the way out. Woodson goes up high with a kick, and Zalal ducks and weaves with a counter right hand. Zalal dodges another looping high kick, and Woodson grabs hold of him to clinch up on his own terms. Woodson lands an elbow and loads up on a few shots, but Zalal dances out of the way as he escapes. Zalal swipes with a left hand on the way in, and Woodson responds with three punches up top. Both men trade hacking calf kicks, and Woodson catches Zalal coming in with a stiff knee. Zalal eats it like a traditional Moroccan dish and gathers himself, only to take a few jabs on the chin. The momentum shifts keep occurring as one lands in volume, and the other answers with their own salvo. Zalal pushes in to grab hold of Woodson’s right leg, and Woodson snatches up a guillotine choke and pulls guard to fall to his back and secure it. Time expires before he can get a tap.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Woodson
Round 3
There is a glove touch to begin the last round, and there is immediate action as Zalal goes low with a kick. Woodson tags him with a left hand, and he follows it with a solid one-two. Zalal lands a few of his own, only to duck down to pursue a single leg takedown. Woodson keeps his back on the fencing and splits his legs to stuff the attempt, where he stands Zalal back up and turns him about. Woodson tries to get off a few knees, and Zalal does not like these so he bails and backs off. Woodson rushes after him to push the pace, and Zalal drops down for a double. “The Sniper” is forced to stave off the try instead of getting strikes off, and he keeps his hand pressed on the back of Zalal’s neck to stop the takedown from succeeding. Woodson pushes off and lands a knee to the liver, and he flicks out a front kick to follow suit. Zalal scores a leg kick, and he whiffs on a huge left hook. Zalal’s hands are by his waist as he escapes, and Woodson is chasing him down with strikes. Zalal breaks up this advancement with a double that turns into a single, and Woodson stands tall and keeps it from succeeding. With Woodson stuck against the fence, he signals to Peterson that he is being held and not doing anything with it. Zalal answers with a single, and Woodson latches on to a guillotine choke to defend the position. “The Moroccan Devil” notices this, and he lets go, where Woodson thanks him with a body kick. When Zalal shoots in for a takedown, Woodson meets him in the middle and snags on to a guillotine choke. Zalal squirms his neck out, escapes a potential triangle setup, and rolls through. Woodson follows him, but the two stand up to bang it out to the final bell. Both men flail wildly and recklessly, and they laugh as they largely do not connect. The round ends, and the featherweights embrace after an exhausting battle.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Woodson (29-28 Woodson)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Woodson (29-28 Woodson)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Woodson (29-28 Woodson)
The Official Result
Sean Woodson def. Youssef Zalal via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Big Brady thinks the line is off and the fight should be a pick'em. He notes Woodson has a big reach advantage but Zalal has a strong ground game, averaging 2.5 takedowns per 15 minutes. He points out Woodson's takedown defense is inflated by facing poor wrestlers, and that Terence McKinney had success controlling Woodson on the mat. He believes if Zalal mixes in takedowns he can win a decision, as Zalal is not a finisher.
Cody picks Woodson, noting his size and reach. He thinks Zalal's takedowns won't be effective and that Woodson will outpoint him. Cody likes Woodson by decision as a prop.
Daniel picks Woodson, believing he has cleaner hands and more output. He notes that Woodson's length (6'2", 79" reach) will be a problem for Zalal, and that Zalal is a jack-of-all-trades without a standout skill. Daniel acknowledges Zalal's smarts and calf kicks, but thinks Woodson will pick him apart on the feet and avoid takedowns. He expects Woodson to win a decision, possibly a split, but is confident in his striking advantage.
Woodson has superior boxing and range, and he gets up quickly if taken down. Zalal's takedowns won't keep him down, and Woodson will out-strike him for a decision win.
Paul picks Woodson, citing his reach and boxing advantage. He notes Zalal's low output and reliance on takedowns, which Woodson can defend. Paul thinks Woodson will win a decision. He likes Woodson by decision as a prop.
The Guru picks Sean Woodson, emphasizing his significant reach advantage (6'2" with 78-inch reach at featherweight). He believes Woodson will keep Zalal at range and pick him apart for three rounds, similar to how Sung Woo Choi did. He notes Zalal's tendency to take fights too frequently without enough time to improve, and thinks Zalal's two-fight losing streak may lead to a cut. He predicts a unanimous decision with Woodson outlanding Zalal every round.
Expert Picks (4)
Big Brady picks the underdog SeungWoo Choi, disagreeing with the line that has Zalal as a heavy favorite. He notes that Zalal may struggle to take Choi down, and if the fight stays standing, Choi's striking is very impressive. He also mentions that Zalal is coming in on short notice, which adds to his uncertainty. He is not overly confident but likes the value at plus money.
Daniel Levi picks SeungWoo Choi as a dog-or-pass, viewing it as a close fight. He notes Choi's takedown defense (stuffed 11 vs Evloev, 8 vs Tucker) and believes his physical attributes and kickboxing make him live. He thinks the line moved too far in Zalal's favor and sees value on Choi.
Zalal is a well-rounded fighter with good cardio and a solid ground game. He should be able to mix in takedowns and grind out a decision. Choi has a tough run in the UFC and tends to fade as fights go on. Zalal's pace and pressure will be too much. I expect Zalal to win by decision, using his wrestling and volume striking.
The MMA Guru picks the underdog SeungWoo Choi, believing the odds should be even. He highlights Choi's Muay Thai background and reach advantage, and doubts Zalal's offensive grappling ability to expose Choi's ground game. He predicts Choi will piece Zalal up on the feet for two rounds, possibly slowing in the third, winning a 30-27 decision.
Kevin is a beast. Choi likes to strike but cant take a beating.
Choi turtled and kevin made it rain