Youssef Zalal Leaves Factory X, Eyes Trevor Wittman Camp

Youssef Zalal has split from Factory X, the Colorado gym that trained him since he was a teenager, and is now angling to join Trevor Wittman's camp ahead of his next UFC featherweight fight.

The move ends a run that goes back to when Zalal signed on as an 18-year-old, well before he became the No. 9-ranked featherweight in the UFC. He confirmed the split himself, telling MMA Junkie, "I'm definitely no longer fighting out of Factory X." He was careful to separate the business decision from his relationship with longtime head coach Marc Montoya, calling him a father figure and mentor who will likely still be around him even though he won't be in his corner going forward.

Why Is Youssef Zalal Changing Gyms Now?

Zalal says the timing has nothing to do with his last fight. He lost a unanimous decision to former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling at UFC Vegas 116 in October, a defeat that snapped an eight-fight win streak built on wins over names like Josh Emmett and Calvin Kattar. That skid-ending loss might look like the obvious trigger for a coaching change, but Zalal was direct that it wasn't the reason he's leaving Factory X. Instead, he pointed to needing a training environment with more sparring bodies and more individualized attention as he tries to sharpen his striking and round out his game at a higher level of competition.

That explanation lines up with the destination he's reportedly targeting. Trevor Wittman has built UFC champions in Kamaru Usman, Rose Namajunas and Justin Gaethje, and he keeps his roster small by design, which is exactly the kind of hands-on setup Zalal says he's after. Nothing is official yet, but all signs point toward Zalal training under Wittman once the move is finalized.

When Does Youssef Zalal Fight Next?

Zalal isn't rushing his return, and he's pointed to December or early 2027 as his target window, wanting a full training camp under his new coaching staff before stepping back in the cage. That's a longer runway than most featherweights take off after a single loss, but it fits a fighter overhauling his corner and gym rather than just booking the next available date. Zalal also isn't fixated on a specific opponent, and with much of the ranked featherweight field currently tied up or freshly returned from action, there's no obvious next assignment waiting for him at 145 pounds.

Betting Angle

A gym change this significant makes Zalal a tough evaluate for oddsmakers whenever he does return. Bettors watching the featherweight division should expect his price to carry more uncertainty than usual in his first fight back, since a full camp under new coaching after more than a decade in one system can shift a fighter's tendencies in ways that don't show up until he's actually tested. Books and sharp bettors alike typically wait for actual camp footage or a fight announcement before pricing that kind of transition with any confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Youssef Zalal leave Factory X?

Youssef Zalal said he left Factory X for personal reasons tied to needing more sparring partners and individualized coaching attention, not because of his loss to Aljamain Sterling.

Is Youssef Zalal training with Trevor Wittman now?

Youssef Zalal has not officially confirmed joining Trevor Wittman's camp, but all signs point to that being his next training home.

When will Youssef Zalal fight next in the UFC?

Youssef Zalal is targeting a return in December or early 2027 as he settles into a new gym and completes a full training camp.