Ali Akbar RosadyLas Vegas, Nevada – Aljamain Sterling, the former UFC Bantamweight Champion, delivered a commanding performance against Youssef Zalal in the main event of UFC Vegas 116 on Saturday, April 25, 2026, securing a unanimous decision victory that has significantly strengthened his position within the featherweight division’s upper echelon. The bout, held at the Meta APEX facility, saw Sterling exhibit a relentless grappling attack over five rounds, prompting widespread discussion among professional fighters and analysts regarding his readiness for a shot at the 145-pound title.
From the opening bell, Sterling, known affectionately as "Funk Master," initiated his strategy with precision, quickly closing the distance and employing his elite wrestling pedigree. The first round saw Sterling secure an early takedown, transitioning seamlessly into dominant top control. He maintained this position for the majority of the round, landing short elbows and punches from Zalal’s guard. While Zalal demonstrated admirable resilience and defensive grappling, Sterling’s pressure proved relentless. The round concluded with Sterling attempting a rear-naked choke, though Zalal managed to defend until the horn.
The pattern largely continued into the second and third rounds. Sterling consistently found avenues for takedowns, often chaining together entries from striking exchanges or clinches against the fence. His ability to secure control positions, particularly side control and mount, became a hallmark of his performance. Statistics from the bout indicated Sterling secured eight takedowns over the 25 minutes, accumulating over 17 minutes of control time. This dominant ground game limited Zalal’s offensive opportunities, as the Moroccan fighter struggled to find space to utilize his striking or escape Sterling’s vice-like grip. Zalal, known for his dynamic striking and athleticism, found himself consistently on the defensive, expending significant energy simply to survive on the mat. Despite the overwhelming control, Sterling’s ground-and-pound, while consistent, did not result in a stoppage, a testament to Zalal’s toughness.
By the championship rounds, Sterling’s conditioning, often a topic of discussion after his move to featherweight, appeared to hold firm. He continued to pursue takedowns and maintain a high pace, showing no signs of fatigue. Zalal, though visibly frustrated and worn down, continued to defend actively, preventing any submissions from fully materializing and managing to scramble back to his feet momentarily in the fourth round, only to be promptly taken down again. The final round mirrored the previous ones, with Sterling securing an early takedown and riding out the clock in a dominant position, leaving no doubt about the outcome. The official scorecards read 50-45, 50-45, and 50-45, all in favor of Aljamain Sterling.
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This victory marks Sterling’s third win in four fights since transitioning to the featherweight division. His journey to 145 pounds followed a tumultuous end to his bantamweight reign, where he controversially won the title via disqualification against Petr Yan at UFC 259 in 2021, becoming the first UFC champion to win a title in such fashion. He successfully defended the title three times, including a rematch victory over Yan and subsequent wins against TJ Dillashaw and Henry Cejudo, before ultimately losing it to Sean O’Malley at UFC 292 in 2023. The decision to move up in weight was largely attributed to increasingly difficult weight cuts at 135 pounds, with Sterling seeking new challenges and a healthier competitive environment.
His lone featherweight loss came against surging Russian contender Movsar Evloev, a razor-thin unanimous decision at UFC 297 earlier this year. That contest, characterized by a high-level grappling chess match, demonstrated Sterling’s immediate competitive viability in the new weight class, even in defeat. The win over Zalal now puts Sterling firmly back in the conversation for a title shot, particularly given the division’s current landscape.
The featherweight division is currently presided over by Alexander Volkanovski, a dominant champion who has defended his belt multiple times against elite competition. Other top contenders include the aforementioned Movsar Evloev, who holds a crucial win over Sterling, and the explosive Ilia Topuria, who has been rapidly ascending the ranks. The question now looms as to who deserves the next shot at Volkanovski. Sterling’s performance against Zalal was perceived by many as a statement, aimed at leapfrogging Evloev or solidifying his own claim.
Following the main event, the mixed martial arts community took to social media, with many pros reacting to Sterling’s dominant display. The consensus pointed towards Sterling’s grappling prowess being truly "championship caliber," a phrase frequently used to describe his performance.
Former UFC Lightweight Champion, Benson Henderson, posted, "Sterling’s wrestling is just on another level. He shut down everything Zalal tried to do. That’s how you make a statement in a main event."
Current UFC Featherweight contender, Dan Ige, weighed in, stating, "Hard to argue against Aljo after that. He did what he needed to do. He wants that belt and he fought like it tonight. Volkanovski vs. Sterling would be a fascinating grapple-heavy affair."
MMA analyst and former fighter, Chael Sonnen, offered a more nuanced perspective, "The Funk Master showed absolute control. The Evloev loss was close, but tonight, Sterling left no doubt. The issue now is the queue. Evloev has the win over him, but Sterling just put on a main event clinic. UFC matchmakers have a puzzle on their hands."
Even Sterling’s former bantamweight rival, Petr Yan, subtly acknowledged the performance, tweeting, "Good win for Aljo. He looked strong at 145."
The fight statistics underscore the lopsided nature of the contest. Sterling landed 147 total strikes to Zalal’s 43, with a significant advantage in ground strikes. His accuracy on takedowns was also noteworthy, successfully converting 8 of 14 attempts. Zalal, despite his best efforts, landed only 2 significant strikes on the ground throughout the entire fight, highlighting Sterling’s defensive control.
For Youssef Zalal, this bout served as a significant learning experience. Stepping in against a former champion on short notice, Zalal showcased his durability and defensive grappling, but was ultimately outmatched by Sterling’s elite skill set. His record now stands at 13-5-1, and he will likely look to rebound against other contenders in the lower half of the featherweight rankings.
As for Aljamain Sterling, the path forward appears clearer, yet still fraught with competitive hurdles. While his performance against Zalal was undeniably dominant, the shadow of his loss to Movsar Evloev remains. The UFC’s next move for the featherweight title picture will be critical, with Sterling’s strong showing undoubtedly adding another compelling narrative to the mix. Whether this victory is enough to bypass Evloev for the next title shot or if another high-profile featherweight clash is on the horizon for Sterling remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that Aljamain Sterling has once again demonstrated the elite capabilities that once made him a champion, solidifying his claim as a top-tier contender in his new division.
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