Another big match-up has been reported for the UFC's Fight Night event at the Apex on February 15.
At featherweight, Youssef Zalal will look to earn the biggest win of his career to date when he takes on the perennial 145-pound contender, Calvin Kattar.
Zalal spoke about the fight during a recent appearance on the JAXXON Podcast before the news was reported by MMA Junkie's Nolan King.
2024 has been a breakout year for Morocco's Zalal who made his return to the Octagon earlier this year in March.
The 28-year old previously fought in the UFC between 2020 and 2022 where he initially put together a three-fight win streak.
After losing three in a row to Ilia Topuria, Seung Woo Choi and Sean Woodson, a majority draw against Da'Mon Blackshear led to him departing the promotion but a run of wins outside the UFC saw him make a quick comeback.
He's currently riding another three-fight winning streak inside the Octagon after beating Billy Quarantillo, Jarno Errens and Jack Shore, with performance bonuses in his last two outings.
Now he will get the opportunity to face his first ranked opponent when he takes on the 36-year old Kattar who has 13 UFC bouts to his name.
This fight will be a big moment for him following a three-fight losing streak which includes a split decision defeat to Josh Emmett, the injury he suffered against Arnold Allen and his one-sided defeat to Aljamain Sterling at UFC 300.
The card is set to be headlined by a middleweight clash between former title challenger Jared Cannonier and Gregory Rodrigues.
Edson Barboza vs. Steve Garcia is another big contest that is set to take place on this card as yet another rising stand out looks to secure the biggest win of his career against a high-level veteran.
