Zalal departs Factory X after five-fight UFC run, enters talks with Wittman

Youssef Zalal has ended his long association with Factory X, the Englewood, Colorado gym that shaped the majority of his professional MMA career, and confirmed he is in discussions with renowned coach Trevor Wittman about a potential new training home.

“The Moroccan Devil” was recently spotted working out at ONX alongside Wittman, who has long served as the head coach of UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje. Zalal (18-6-1) subsequently confirmed the split, speaking openly about the emotional weight of leaving a gym where head coach Marc Montoya had been a central figure in his development.

“I had my little situations with my team,” Zalal told MMA Junkie. “Few changes happened. It’s a lot crazier on my side. I’m definitely no longer fighting from Factory X. Marc Montoya has obviously been nothing but a father figure, a mentor, for almost all my life… As a kid, I’ve grown in the program and that kind of changed. Where I’m at in my life, I still need growth… Trevor is the guy I’m talking to right now.”

The decision marks a significant turning point for the 28-year-old, who credits Factory X and Montoya with building his foundation but believes a change of environment is necessary to reach the next level of his career.

Zalal’s UFC journey has been one of sharp contrasts. His first stint with the promotion ended in 2022 with an underwhelming 3-3-1 record. He returned in 2024 and produced one of the more impressive stretches of any fighter on the roster, going undefeated across five consecutive bouts with four finishes. That momentum stalled in April when he suffered a loss to former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling.

A move to Wittman’s camp would represent a significant upgrade in coaching pedigree. Wittman has built a reputation as one of the sport’s elite striking coaches, and his work with Gaethje — who reclaimed the lightweight title — has reinforced his standing at the top of the profession. Whether a formal partnership materialises remains to be confirmed, but Zalal’s willingness to speak publicly about the talks suggests the process is well advanced.