Ali Akbar Rosady
Las Vegas, Nevada – The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) delivered a compelling night of mixed martial arts action at the Meta APEX on Saturday, April 24, 2026, as UFC Vegas 116 unfolded with a series of high-stakes matchups. Headlining the event, former UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling made a significant statement in his featherweight debut, securing a decisive victory over the formidable Youssef Zalal. The co-main event saw Norma Dumont assert her dominance in the women’s bantamweight division against Joselyne Edwards.
The main event clash between Aljamain Sterling and Youssef Zalal was anticipated as a pivotal moment for both fighters. Sterling, 36, entering the contest with a professional record of 24 wins and 4 losses, including notable victories over Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo during his bantamweight reign, was testing the waters in a new weight class. His move to featherweight, after a decorated career at 135 pounds, was driven by a desire for new challenges and a more comfortable weight cut. Zalal, 30, a promising contender with a record of 13 wins and 4 losses, had showcased his versatile striking and grappling skills in previous UFC outings, notably his high-volume striking and submission threat. The fight was widely regarded as a litmus test for Sterling’s featherweight aspirations and an opportunity for Zalal to claim a significant scalp.
From the opening bell, Sterling, known for his elite grappling and unconventional striking, sought to control the octagon. He utilized a diverse striking attack, mixing low kicks with feints to close the distance against Zalal. Zalal, operating from a southpaw stance, responded with sharp counter-hooks and a series of powerful body kicks, aiming to deter Sterling’s advances. The first round saw both fighters exchanging cautiously, with Sterling attempting two takedowns that Zalal expertly defended, showcasing his improved wrestling. However, Sterling’s constant pressure and superior octagon control allowed him to edge the round on most scorecards, landing 28 significant strikes to Zalal’s 19.
The narrative shifted dramatically in the second round. Sterling, recognizing Zalal’s defensive grappling prowess, adjusted his strategy. He feigned a takedown early in the round, drawing a reaction from Zalal, and then seamlessly transitioned into a powerful left high kick that briefly staggered his opponent. Capitalizing on the moment, Sterling swarmed Zalal, driving him against the fence before executing a textbook double-leg takedown. Once on the ground, Sterling’s jiu-jitsu pedigree became evident. He swiftly moved to a dominant position, securing back control and immediately hunting for a submission. After a brief struggle, Sterling locked in a rear-naked choke at 2 minutes and 37 seconds of the second round, forcing Zalal to tap.
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The victory sent a clear message to the featherweight division. Post-fight, a visibly pleased Sterling addressed the crowd, stating, "This is just the beginning. I felt strong, I felt fast, and I’m here to prove I’m a contender at 145 pounds. Zalal is a tough kid, but my goal is gold, and I’m coming for it." The win extends Sterling’s professional record to 25-4 and positions him immediately into the top-15 rankings of the featherweight division, signaling a new chapter in his decorated career. For Zalal, the loss, while a setback, came against a former champion and highlighted areas for growth, particularly in defensive grappling against elite practitioners. His resilience and striking improvements were noted, and he is expected to bounce back in future outings.
In the co-main event, the women’s bantamweight division saw Norma Dumont, 33, secure a unanimous decision victory over Joselyne Edwards, 28. Dumont, boasting a record of 11 wins and 2 losses, utilized her powerful striking and strong clinch work to control the pace of the fight against the aggressive Edwards (14 wins, 5 losses). Dumont landed several heavy right hands throughout the three-round contest, consistently pushing Edwards back and dictating exchanges. Edwards, known for her exciting, high-volume style, showed flashes of brilliance with quick combinations and effective footwork, but struggled to maintain consistent offensive pressure against Dumont’s tactical approach. The judges scored the bout 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28 in favor of Dumont, who expressed her desire for a top-10 opponent in her next fight, aiming to climb the competitive bantamweight ladder.
The event also featured several other compelling matchups on the main card. In a lightweight clash, Rafa Garcia (17-4) delivered a stunning performance against Alexander Hernandez (14-7), earning a third-round TKO victory. Garcia showcased relentless pressure and powerful ground and pound, overwhelming Hernandez after a competitive first round. Davey Grant (18-7) continued his impressive run in the bantamweight division, securing a spectacular first-round knockout over Adrian Luna Martinetti (12-3), a finish that is a strong contender for "Performance of the Night."
Further down the main card, Montel Jackson (15-3) outpointed Raoni Barcelos (17-6) in a closely contested bantamweight bout, winning via split decision after three rounds of technical striking and grappling exchanges. The highly anticipated heavyweight bout between Brazilian jiu-jitsu legend Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida (5-0) and veteran Ryan Spann (22-9) lived up to expectations. Buchecha, demonstrating his evolving MMA game, secured a second-round submission victory via arm-triangle choke, showcasing his world-class grappling prowess and moving to 6-0 in his professional MMA career, further solidifying his position as a rising force in the heavyweight division.
The preliminary card, broadcast earlier on Paramount+, also provided its share of memorable moments. In a middleweight bout, Rodolfo Vieira (10-2), another jiu-jitsu standout, submitted Eric McConico (9-5) with a first-round armbar, extending his impressive finishing rate. Sedriques Dumas (10-2) secured a dominant unanimous decision over Jackson McVey (11-4) in a middleweight contest, showcasing improved striking and defensive wrestling.
Mayra Bueno Silva (12-3-1) continued her ascent in the women’s bantamweight division, defeating Michelle Montague (8-3) via unanimous decision after a spirited three-round battle. Jafel Filho (16-6) edged out Cody Durden (16-6-1) in a flyweight contest, winning by split decision in a fight characterized by relentless pace and scrambles. Francis Marshall (10-1) maintained his undefeated record, submitting Lucas Brennan (9-2) with a second-round rear-naked choke in a featherweight prospect clash. Max Griffin (20-10) put on a striking clinic against Victor Valenzuela (10-4), earning a unanimous decision in their welterweight encounter. Kicking off the night, Talita Alencar (6-1) defeated Julia Polastri (10-4) via unanimous decision in a strawweight bout, showcasing sharp striking and effective clinch work.
UFC Vegas 116 underscored the depth of talent across multiple divisions, setting the stage for future contender matchups and title challenges. The event, originating from the UFC’s state-of-the-art Meta APEX facility, reinforced its commitment to delivering consistent, high-quality mixed martial arts content for fans worldwide. The successful featherweight debut of Aljamain Sterling is expected to be a major talking point in the coming weeks, as analysts and fans speculate on his next opponent and his potential path to a second UFC championship.
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