LAS VEGAS, NV – AUGUST 9, 2024: (L-R) Youssef Zalal of Morocco and Jarno Elens of the Netherlands fight during the weigh-in for UFC APEX on August 9, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Powers/Zuffa LLC)
Featherweight Yousef Zalal dominated opponent Jarno Ellens in the second bout at UFC Las Vegas 95.
Zalal went 3-3-1 in his first fights with the UFC, but a string of draws and losses at the end of his contract meant he had to find a way to survive outside of the organization. After winning five fights, he got a second chance and made the most of it by dominating Billy Quarantillo in his second debut. Meanwhile, Errens had just earned his first win at UFC in 2024 after suffering two losses in his first time with the promotion.
At the start of the bout, the two fighters tried to finish each other off, with Zalal on the back foot. Erens landed the occasional punch, but most of them missed due to his opponent’s evasive skills, and his opponent’s leg kicks were effective early on. Yousef went for the first takedown and went deep. Erens defended well at first, but after pushing him against the cage, Zalal took Jarno down. He then took the back and landed a body triangle as Erens got to his feet.
Yousef only changed sides twice while going for the rear-naked choke and never seemed to get under Jarno’s chin all the way when he made Jarno tap. Zalal’s Factory X MMA coach, Mark Montoya, repeatedly yelled “HE’S OUT!” It was pretty impressive to make Jarno tap with his forearm still under his chin.
With two submission wins in two fights since returning to the UFC, Yousef Zalal looks to be the real deal at age 27. If he can keep winning, he’ll soon be ranked in the featherweight division.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Yousef Zalal defeated Jarno Ellens via submission (rear-naked choke), 1st round, 3:52
