Youssef Zalal made the most of his short-notice opportunity to return to the UFC tonight at UFC On ESPN 53, getting the better of Billy Quarantillo on the feet and on the mat en-route to a 2nd round submission victory.
Round One:
Quarantillo with a calf kick to start. Zalal lands one of his own. Zalal with the jab and another calf kick too.
Quarantillo steps in with a punch but misses. Body kick from Zalal comes off the guard. Nice calf kick for Zalal.
Zalal moving on the outside. Another missed punch from Quarantillo. Leg kick for Zalal. Now a nice step-in knee to the body.
Body shot for Zalal. Back to the calf kick now. Quarantillo still not finding his range yet, but Zalal on the other hand is landing well with sharp punches.
A couple of grazing hooks from Quarantillo now and then into the clinch against the cage. Zalal manages to pivot away.
Right hook from Quarantillo and Zalal was knocked off-balance, but doesn’t appear to be hurt.
Zalal landing a few more good strikes. Now he utilizes a trip to bring him down. Quarantillo trying to improve his position, but Zalal lands a couple of nice punches and then takes his back. Quarantillo standing up, but Zalal is on him and sinks in the rear-naked choke.
The choke isn’t under the chin, but Zalal is squeezing anyway with 15 seconds remaining in the round. Zalal gives up on the attempt, but it’s been a strong round from him.
Round Two:
Quarantillo lands a right hand. Left hands from Zalal as Quarantillo was attempting a knee. Now another nice trip from Zalal to get the fight to the mat again, this time in the center of the Octagon.
Zalal in side control. Quarantillo trying to set up a submission, but Zalal manages to take his back and soon he’s working again for a rear-naked choke. This time Zalal has it right under the chin and Quarantillo quickly taps out at 1.50mins of the 2nd round. Great performance from Zalal in his return to the Octagon.
