Calvin Kattar vs Youssef Zalal at UFC Fight Night 251 | Preview & Prediction
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If you were going to pick a Fight of the Night candidate on this entire card at UFC Fight Night 251, this is the one as Calvin Kattar takes on Youssef Zalal
Calvin Kattar vs Youssef Zalal Facts
When is UFC Fight Night 251? UK – the preliminary card starts at 9:00pm on Saturday 15th February 2025, followed by the main card at 12:00am (Sunday) / USA – 4:00pm/7:00pm ET and 1:00pm/4:00pm PT
Where is UFC Fight Night 251? UFC Apex, Las Vegas, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 251? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 251
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night 251 on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 251? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
For viewers in the United States, UFC Fight Night 251 will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
What time are Calvin Kattar and Youssef Zalal expected to walk out? 2:15am UK / Saturday 15th February, 9:15pm US ET / 6:15pm US PT
UFC Fight Night 251 Main Card
Jared Cannonier vs Gregory Rodrigues (Middleweight)
Calvin Kattar vs Youssef Zalal (Featherweight)
Edmen Shahbazyan vs Dylan Budka (Middleweight)
Ismael Bonfim vs Nazim Sadykhov (Lightweight)
Rodolfo Vieira vs Andre Petroski (Middleweight)
Connor Matthews vs Jose Delgado (Featherweight)
UFC Fight Night 251 Prelims
Angela Hill vs Ketlen Souza (Women’s Strawweight)
Rafael Estevam vs Jesus Santos Aguilar (Flyweight)
Gabriel Bonfim vs Khaos Williams (Welterweight)
Vince Morales vs Elijah Smith (Bantamweight)
Valter Walker vs Don'Tale Mayes (Heavyweight)
Julia Avila vs Jacqueline Cavalcanti (Women’s Bantamweight)
Calvin Kattar: The entertainer Kattar desperate to halt three-fight skid
Calvin Kattar (23-8) has been quite the servant in the UFC after being involved in so many Fight of the Night bouts, but he is in desperate need of a win here. He has lost his last three bouts and four in his last five and the Boston Finisher is desperate to get back to winning ways and snap this difficult run. As is always the case, Kattar has accepted an incredibly tough fight as he tries to get a win and he is going to have to produce his best to beat the talented Zalal.
Youssef Zalal: The Moroccan Devil searching for seventh successive win
Youssef Zalal (16-5-1) is on an absolute tear in the featherweight division and the Moroccan Devil will look to win his seventh successive bout. This is his second spell in the UFC as he went 3-3-1 in his first spell, went away to win three fights in the Sparta Combat League and has returned to win three fights in his second spell in the Octagon. He has submitted his opponents in the last three bouts and the last two have been Performance of the Night displays. He now gets a shot at a high-calibre opponent which could catapult him up the rankings.
Calvin Kattar vs Youssef Zalal Prediction
This is our favourite pick for Fight of the Night and it promises to be a highly-entertaining bout.
Calvin Kattar needs a win and fair play to him for not shying away from dangerous opponents as he takes on Zalal who has won his last six.
The big question around Zalal is whether he is cut out for this level. When he was matched against quality opponents in his first spell, he lost three in a row so it will be interesting to see if he can raise his game and upset the fighter ranked number 10 in the featherweight division.
Zalal is heavily favoured by the bookies but that feels a little disrespectful towards Kattar. The value is certainly on him but it is hard to love him given he has lost his last three.
Our play here is on the fight to go the distance. Both fighters are incredibly dangerous but we do not see Kattar falling into any traps to allow Zalal to submit him. Both fighters are incredibly tough and whichever way it goes, we think it goes to the judges’ scorecards.
Prediction: Fight to go the distance
