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Moroccan Mixed martial artist Youssef Zalal defeated American fighter Peter Barrett Sunday in Las Vegas. The fight was held within the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the largest MMA promotion company in the world which features some of the highest-level fighters in the sport on its roster.
This is the third victory in 2020 of the 23-year-old fighter, known as «The Moroccan Devil». After winning fights against Austin Lingo in February, Jordan Griffin in June, Peter Barret is the third opponent he defeats.
«I wanted to rush into my MMA career and that's why I lost two fights. But we learn from our mistakes. These two defeats were the best lessons of my life», he said.
Interviewed in July by Al Bayane, Youssef Zalal said in any case that he was «ready to fight any opponent that UFC offers him». This is what he confirmed by winning the two fights and another one in 2019 against American MMA fighter Jaime Hernandez.
Rising from the ashes
Youssef Zalal, who trains at Factory X, has come a long way. At a press conference held after his last fight, he also said he was «on the verge of committing suicide» at one point in his life.
«Eleven years ago I was in Morocco. I didn't know what I was going to do with my future (...) And when my brother died five years ago, I was on the verge of committing suicide. But now my coaches tell me that I'm the only UFC fighter to have three wins in 2020. It's a godsend», he said.
Emphasizing the role of mental strength, he said «you have to know how to take advantage of opportunities and make the most of them».
Born in the Aïn Chock district in Casablanca, which he says he always carries in his heart, Youssef Zalal was not going to move into MMA right away. While his father dreamed of seeing him as a computer engineer, he discovered his true passion as a teenager. «I knew being a fighter was my vocation and my future after making my debut as a professional at the age of 16», he told Moroccan media.
After quickly forging a reputation as a «Moroccan Devil» in the Octagon in the US, Youssef Zalal reconnected with his homeland. Last year he returned, ten years after leaving. Since then, his ties have grown even stronger, particularly with his hometown. During the lockdown, he donated food baskets to give back to his community in Casablanca.
