Yardbarker
x
Yana Santos, Youssef Zalal Have (Re)Emerged As Contenders After UFC 320
Oct 4, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Macy Chiasson (red gloves) reacts with Yana Santos (blue gloves) after their fight during UFC 320 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Alex Pereira was the obvious biggest talking point of UFC 320 on Saturday night, as he retook the light heavyweight title from Magomed Ankalaev. While focus has since shifted towards an expected defense against Carlos Ulberg, two other fighters made strides towards contention.

During the early prelims, former featherweight challenger Yana Santos secured herself a potential top-five entry by outscoring Macy Chiasson for a third straight win. In the main card, featherweight Youssef Zalal verbally submitted Josh Emmett with an armbar.

Both of them have had trying times in the Octagon, but they may have found their form at the right time.

Yana Santos – Consistent Success At Last

Santos has had a crazy trajectory in the Octagon. First signed in 2018 to challenge the ever-dominant Cris Cyborg, she was routed within a round, losing by TKO. Back ten pounds south, she went on a modest two-win streak, only to be finished again.

After yet another two-win streak, Santos drew Irene Aldana in a main-card bout underneath Conor McGregor’s trilogy with Dustin Poirier. She was finished again, then took a hiatus to welcome a daughter. Her struggles did not end there, however, as she would lose her first two fights back.

Since then, however, it has been nothing but success, and this three-win streak that Santos has sets her up for major opportunities. Former champions Julianna Pena and Raquel Pennington are each currently out with an injury and need to rebound after losing their last fights. Ketlen Vieira is fighting for her spot against Norma Dumont next month, and Santos has a prior win over her. Any one of them could propel her to a title fight under the right circumstances.

Youssef Zalal – Making The Most Of A Second Chance


Oct 4, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Josh Emmett (red gloves) fights Youssef Zalal (blue gloves) during UFC 320 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Youssef Zalal, meanwhile, is on a Brandon Moreno-esque path of redemption. “The Moroccan Devil” first entered the UFC in 2020, and he had three straight unassuming decision wins before stumbling. Three straight losses – the first coming against future champion Ilia Topuria – and a draw led to his termination.

The dream would not die, however. Instead, it took on a new form. Zalal notched three straight finishes in Sparta Combat League, and he was quickly back in the Octagon, destroying Billy Quarantillo with a second-round rear-naked choke. Four more wins later, he is now a legitimate contender.

With Lerone Murphy likely to get the first shot at ending Alex Volkanovski’s second reign, Zalal will most likely get Arnold Allen to continue his ascent. Aljamain Sterling is also another safe option for him.

End Of My Yana Santos-Youssef Zalal Rant

Both Santos and Zalal prove that early defeats do not always define a fighter’s stint in the UFC. They have risen above initial adversity to get to where they are now, and they are now primed to make the most of it.

Perhaps they may be joined soon by Virna Jandiroba, who can go from a 3-3 start in the Octagon to champion in three weeks.

This article first appeared on Stadium Rant and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!