Youssef “The Moroccan Devil” Zalal’s journey started a long way away from the National Western Complex in Denver, Colorado where he will face Joey Banks in his fourth professional fight on March 16 for Paramount MMA. Zalal lived in Morocco till he was fourteen before moving to the United States. However, it was in Morocco that Zalal made his first foray into combat sports world due to the not-so-great conditions he was living in.
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“In Morocco, it’s a Third World country,” said Zalal. “Most of the people you hang out with are the wrong people every time. So, my mom, what she did is she put me in kickboxing classes, so I’d go to school, straight to kickboxing classes with my sister, then I’d come back home at ten o’clock at night.”
He did this for two years and had his first kickboxing fight at 11. Then two more within the next year. It wasn’t until he moved to the United States that he took his first break from martial arts to learn English. After learning the language, he wandered over to a gym nearby.
“I didn’t know what MMA was. Near my apartment complex, there was a gym called American Top Team next to me. Then I walked in there and there was all cages and I saw people hugging each other, grabbing each other, I was like ‘what is this?’ That’s when I started doing jiu jitsu.”
However, it wasn’t love at first sight. Zalal didn’t love jiu jitsu at first but, eventually when he decided to dedicate himself to it, he fell in love with it. At 18 he had his first MMA fight.
Now, “The Moroccan Devil” is all in with his MMA career. He started off well as an amateur, putting together an impressive 4-1 record. But, he has really hit his stride as a pro, winning and finishing all three of his opponents. His fight against Maurice Salazar was taken on less than 24 hours’ notice and his last fight was against an opponent with a 7-2 record while he was only 2-0.
“I was born to do this.”
Zalal is all in on his dream which has turned into his career and has surrounded himself with great teammates at Factory X including Derek Brenon and Jordan Titoni, two featherweights who are also competing on the same card. One fighter who has trained with Zalal is the UFC Bantamweight Champion T.J. Dillashaw.
“I’ve learned a lot from the last camp, his camp for Cody,” said Zalal. “How calm he is, how hard working he is and all that stuff. It was amazing to see. Especially when you spar with the world champ, train with the world champ, that means a lot to me.”
Though he is all in on his MMA career, Zalal is studying nutrition and to become a cook. He’s been working with well-known nutrition expert Tyler Minton who aids the likes of UFC champions Daniel Cormier and Max Holloway. In fact, Zalal has become the personal chef for one of his training partners, Chris Camozzi.
Helping others is a passion for Zalal but he is focused on his up coming fight and feels it’s his to win.
“I matchup great with him, I know he brings in heat,” said Zalal. “I know it’s going to be an exciting fight and he’s going to push me where I need to be pushed. And That my level, they will see, it’s a whole lot different. I follow the game plan, and I do whatever I’m supposed to do and I like to have fun. I don’t care how good the guy is. I know I’m better, that’s all I care about.”
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He believes a finish is coming and while he doesn’t like predictions, the Moroccan Devil said:
“I guarantee you there is going to be a submission.”
And if he could go back and talk to himself when he was twelve years old, dreaming of becoming a professional fighter, he believes that his younger self would be proud of him.
“He would definitely be like, ‘yes, he is definitely chasing his dreams.’”
Follow Youssef Zalal on the following social media platforms:
Facebook – Youssef Zalal
Twitter – @
Instagram – @themoroccandevil
Follow @MMATodayNews on Twitter and check out MMA Today’s website for the latest in the world of mixed martial arts.
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