UFC 320 video: Youssef Zalal makes quick work of Josh Emmett with armbar submission in first round
05/10/2025 05:01
Youssef Zalal more than made up for lackluster outing in his previous win after he dispatched Josh Emmett with a quick submission at UFC 320 on Saturday.
Critical of his own performance against Calvin Kattar despite walking away with the victory, Zalal felt like he had something to prove in his next fight, especially with the chance to compete on a pay-per-view. Consider it mission accomplished with Zalal taking Emmett to the ground early and then immediately transitioning into an armbar submission that forced the one-time interim title challenger to verbally tap out to stop the fight.
The end came at just 1:38 into the opening round.
"Please give it to Josh Emmett, he's a f*cking legend," Zalal shouted after his win. "I will be a world champion. I know you guys hate me a little bit for my last round against [Calvin] Kattar. This was the strategy with Kattar as well. I'm way too smart. I move too good. I set up everything too good. I will get my chance."
A quick takedown from Zalal clearly caught Emmett off guard as he brought the action to the canvas before immediately looking to take the back to potentially set up a submission. Zalal rolled into a possible triangle choke with Emmett doing his best to play defense and get out of the bad position.
Instead, Zalal made the quick adjustment and latched onto the armbar from the bottom before extending his body to fully lock on the submission. With no chance to escape or risk possible injury, Emmett verbally tapped to end the fight with Zalal letting go of the submission to prevent doing further damage.
Since returning to the UFC following a brief exit from the promotion, Zalal has gone 5-0 with four of those wins coming by submission as he continues his climb up the featherweight ranks. With no word yet on who reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski is facing next, Zalal offered to take one potential opponent off his hands.
"Give me Lerone Murphy," Zalal said. "I'll get him next any time. I don't think he has a fight yet."
It remains to be seen if Murphy gets a title shot next but if not, Zalal called his shot and he's definitely earned a top ranked opponent after another finish added to his resume.
