Jared Cannonier and Edmen Shahbazyan's sensational stoppages might dominate the post-UFC Vegas 102 headlines, but there was also a solid victory for Youssef Zalal in the co-main event.
'The Moroccan Devil' was expected to get the better of popular UFC featherweight contender Calvin Kattar and despite some late adversity, Youssef Zalal ultimately exited UFC Vegas 102 with the decision win.
The 28-year-old is understandably keen to make the most of his recent career resurgence and took control of the microphone to call out not one, but two top contenders for his next fight.
Speaking to Daniel Cormier in the octagon after getting his hand raised, Youssef Zalal would call on former title challenger 'T-City' to stay at featherweight for one more fight.
"Hey, I heard that Brian Ortega's trying to go away to 155lbs, I'll give him one more round in the 145lb division and I'll show him what's up... I'm excited, I don't care who they give me [next]; I'll be ready."
Yet in conversation with the UFC News crew just a few minutes later, Zalal would reaffirm that his main goal for 2025 is still to headline his own Fight Night event - and he's got a backup name in mind if Ortega fails to answer the call.
"Man, I definitely want to be in the top five - my goal is to headline [an event] in 2025, I can't wait to do that and any opportunity that comes my way, I'll keep getting at it and stay hungry.
"I know that there's Brian Ortega and then Yair Rodriguez, I mean those two names are amazing, legendary - so that would be amazing to face those legends... To headline in 2025, I need a bigger name and bigger names like that."
After being axed by the UFC in 2022, Zalal has certainly made the most of his second chance in the promotion with four consecutive wins in the octagon - including finishes over Jack Shore and Billy Quarantillo.
"I dream big man and I manifest big," he stated at the post-fight press conference, explaining how fights against either Ortega or Rodriguez represent the chance to 'change his life' forever.
"There are two names, I know Yair is out there looking for an opponent and I know that Brian Ortega's trying to go up to 155lbs and stuff like that... I'm just out here trying to have fun and change my life, man."
Whilst UFC Vegas 102 is easily the biggest win of Youssef Zalal's professional career to date, not everyone was content with the manner in which the fight ended - with Zalal essentially running away for the final five minutes to stall out the UD win.
Adrian Yanez would compare Zalal's head movement and footwork to that of boxing legend Prince Naseem Hamed, whilst Cory Anderson called it a "great performance" despite being a tough watch for those fans backing Kattar.
"Man!! Calvin Kattar is such a dawg.. Hate to see him go 4 losses in a row!! Wish he would've thrown some punches to the body to make up for all that head movement. But take nothing away from Zalal!! That was a great performance."
With 'The Boston Finisher' added to his resume, Youssef Zalal is now 17-5-1 as a professional MMA fighter and will likely find himself ranked in the Top 15 come Tuesday's update.