Youssef Zalal lives by the mantra, “No matter what, you make it work”—a philosophy that has fueled his resilience and recent success in the UFC. The featherweight prospect, boasting a 6-3-1 record, made a triumphant return to the promotion with three consecutive submission victories. But his comeback was no easy journey; it was preceded by months of hardship and soul-searching.

In a candid interview with Ariel Helwani, Zalal opened up about the challenges he faced after being cut from the UFC in 2022. Reflecting on that difficult period, he shared how he found himself working as both an Uber driver and a coach, scraping by paycheck to paycheck rather than competing in the cage. “For a moment, I considered a lot of things,” he recalled. “I grew up with the mindset that no matter what, you make it work. Whatever it is, you push through.”

Zalal described those months as a humbling experience. “I was just coaching and driving an Uber. I actually love driving, so that was my thing. But those two months were tough—I was in a dark place, training, teaching, and driving for hours every day. It was depressing, man, but it taught me not to take anything for granted.”

Youssef Zalal is back in the UFC, making a statement not just to his opponents but to the fans and promotion alike. After a hard-fought draw against Da’Mon Blackshear in 2022, Zalal has returned stronger than ever, blending his raw talent with rigorous training. His recent win over Jack Shore at UFC Edmonton was a showcase of his skill and determination—a performance that proved he’s ready to climb the featherweight ranks.

At the UFC Fight Night 246 post-fight press conference, Zalal reflected on his journey and the mindset shift that’s fueled his resurgence. “This is exactly what I expected,” he shared. “This is the pressure I put on myself. Before, I was just focused on winning, but now I tell my coaches, team, and younger fighters that winning is cool, but performing is better. That’s the difference between being good and being elite.”, 145lbs contender added.

With his impressive comeback, Zalal has reignited his career and is gaining momentum. Now in the spotlight, the question is: what’s next for this rising featherweight contender? His recent performances suggest that he’s set on a steady climb up the division, eager to prove that he belongs among the elite.

Youssef Zalal has his sights set on the future

Youssef Zalal is on a mission, and his sights are set on more than just victories—he’s aiming to carve out his place on the UFC’s main card. After a strong performance against Jack Shore in Edmonton, Zalal boldly declared his intentions, revealing that he’s not waiting for opportunities to come to him. Instead, he’s actively calling out fighters and setting his sights on big names in the featherweight division, including Alex Caceres and Edson Barboza.

“My goal is to headline a card in 2025, and I’m on the path to doing that,” Zalal said confidently. “I’ll keep doing what I need to do to earn that spot, and my time will come.” Now, the question is who will be his next opponent, and when will Zalal get the chance to headline a card? Given his recent performances and his callouts, it seems the UFC is starting to take notice.

Do you think Dana White will give him a shot at the spotlight soon? Let us know your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!