Calvin Kattar vs. Youssef Zalal: Preview, Where to Watch and Betting Odds

Perennial mainstay of the UFC Featherweight top ten rankings, Calvin Kattar of the USA will have his work cut out in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 251 this weekend at the Apex when he tries to return to winning ways by stopping rising upstart Youssef Zalal of Morocco. Zalal returned to the UFC last year and won all three fights in 2024 by stoppage. On the other side, Kattar is on a 3-fight slide and anything other than victory this weekend will see the veteran drop out of the top rankings. The oddsmakers have installed Youssef Zalal as a heavy favorite when the two clash in the Octagon.

MMA: UFC Featherweight

Where to Watch: ESPN+

Venue: UFC Apex, Las Vegas, Nevada 

 Date: 16.02.2025 05:00

Calvin Kattar

Calvin Kattar has one victory from five stretching to 2021. Last August, the 36-year-old lost a unanimous decision against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 300. That was his solo 2024 bow and he didn't show up in 2023. Kattar notched a 1-2 record in 2022, dropping fights to Arnold Allen and Josh Emmett after an impressive victory over Giga Chikadze. "The Boston Finisher" debuted in the UFC in 2017, but has been active professionally since 2007 starting in the American regional circuits. Kattar who has a blue belt in BJJ, relies on his knockout power to dispatch his opponents most of the time with ten of his 23 wins coming via KO/TKO.

Tale of the Tape

• Age: 36
• Height: 5’11”
• Reach: 72”
• Weight: 145lbs (66kg)
• Record: 23-8

Youssef Zalal

Following a short-notice invitation to fight Billy Quarantilo last March, Youssef Zalal took full advantage of the opportunity to finish his opponent and get two more victories by the end of the year. "The Moroccan Devil” has momentum on his side after submitting all 3 of his opponents. Counting his exploits in Sparta Combat League, Youssef Zalal is on a six-fight streak. An earlier stint in the UFC for Zalal lasted for over one year from February 2020 to June 2021, ending with Zalal losing three consecutive fights. "The Moroccan Devil " is determined to stay in the elite promotion this time round.

Tale of the Tape

• Age: 28
• Height: 5’10”
• Reach: 72”
• Weight: 145lbs (66kg)
• Record: 16-5-1 (Draw)

Betting Odds

Calvin Kattar is a 4.80 underdog on Bet365 which has Youssef Zalal getting a submission win at 4.00 odds. Betway has under 2.5 at 2.31 and no to the fight going the distance at 2.50 odds. Kattar by knockout is 6.5 odds on 1xbet which has Zalal to get an unanimous decision at 1.72. Read more here.