Quarantillo-Zalal: A dangerous UFC fight with serious implications

MANILA, Philippines – Just how tenuous is a mixed martial arts fighter’s career?

He is one injury away or a series of losses from getting cut and losing one’s livelihood.

For Billy Quarantillo, there’s the matter of age. At 35, he knows he is on the downside of his career (he is 18-5-0).

In his last six fights, he has alternated between a loss and a win. His last outing was a unanimous decision victory over Damon Jackson. 

If you follow the trend, then he could be staring at a loss. 

After the triumph over Jackson, the man nicknamed “Billy Q” bought a gym and has a second baby on the way.

“It has been hectic the last few months with all the changes,” he admitted.

“Gracie Pac is an established gym that was mostly for kids but has a small adult program. Since I took over, we have grown the adult program,” he added. “Owning a gym means I get to train whenever I want and because of the programs we run, that’s added income adding to stability.”

“When I tore my ACL prior to getting into the UFC, I did not get paid for more than a year. In order to make a living, I was an Uber driver, worked at the front desk, and did many other odd jobs. Every MMA fighter is one injury from not getting paid for a very long time.”

“I knew it was a tough fight (the Jackson match) but I went in to make a statement. I made some big shots and getting back on track was amazing.” 

When he takes on Youssef Zalal in a featherweight match that is part of the main card of UFC Fight Night slated for Sunday, March 24, at the Apex in Las Vegas, he is in for a dangerous fight.

Zalal, the 27-year-old fighter from Morocco opened his UFC account with three consecutive wins. Then it turned. The Moroccan lost three matches, including one to Ilia Topuria then drew with Damon Blackshear in August of 2022. Then he was cut. 

Moving to Colorado-based Sparta Combat League, Zalal (now sporting a 13-5-1 card) won his three matches via knockout and submission earning a recall to the UFC.

“Honestly, he is a tougher matchup than my previous bout,” noted Quarantillo. “He fought Ilia Topuria and was on a three-fight win streak. How good was he?  He was young when he entered the UFC and now he is 27 and getting better. The last thing I will do is take him lightly. He is hungry as well. It is hard to win in the UFC and I will give it all I have got.”

The alternating wins with losses?

“My approach is to take it one fight at a time; it is just me and the man before me,” Quarantillo summed up. “I will take it one fight at a time with my goal to get into the Top 15 of the featherweight rankings.”

Zalal could be signed to a two- or three-match contract in return. The last thing he wants is to get sent down again. Quarantillo, although technically not in danger of getting cut — yet — will want to stay on with the UFC roster.

UFC Fight Night: Ribas vs Namajunas is slated for a live telecast on the Premier Sports channel on Sky Cable and Cignal as well as the Blast TV streaming. The preliminary card is at 7 a.m. with the main card — where the Quarantillo-Zalal fight is scheduled — beginning at 10 a.m.