Aljamain Sterling faces Youssef Zalal in the main event of UFC Fight Night 274. Analyst Dan Tom provides an in-depth breakdown of the fight.
Key points
Aljamain Sterling fights Youssef Zalal at UFC Fight Night 274
Dan Tom provides an in-depth fight breakdown
Fight time and odds are yet to be officially announced
Aljamain SterlingYoussef ZalalUFC Fight Night 274
MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom goes in-depth to break down the biggest fights in the UFC. Today, he takes a closer look at UFC Fight Night 274's main event between Aljamain Sterling and Youssef Zalal.
Aljamain Sterling UFC Fight Night 274 preview
Aljamain Sterling, UFC Fight Night 274 media day interview
Aljamain Sterling, UFC Fight Night 274 media day interview
Pro boxing and kickboxing experience (1-0 in each)
4 KO victories
9 submission wins
6 first-round finishes
Consistent pace and pressure
Servicable feints and footwork
^ Stages attacks on the outside/off of left-sided strikes
Accurate and opportunistic knees
^ Counter-balances with crosses or sets up foot sweeps
Improved takedowns/reactive shots
^ Turns well to finish doubles and single-leg snatches
Good transitional grappler
^ Fluid submission threat
+/- 5-2 in the UFC Apex
Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal point of interest: Striking in the small cage
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 23: (R-L) Youssef Zalal of Morocco punches Billy Quarantillo in a featherweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on March 23, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 23: (R-L) Youssef Zalal of Morocco punches Billy Quarantillo in a featherweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on March 23, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
The main event in the Apex features a showdown between Top 10 featherweights, Aljamain Sterling and Youssef Zalal.
Despite not being a traditionally trained striker, Sterling has made some undeniable strides in his striking game throughout his UFC tenure.
With his funk style of wrestling initially following him into his striking endeavors, Sterling busted out of the gates as an awkward stick-and-move stylist. However, after a few years of valuable lessons and experiences, the Serra-Longo product is now much more comfortable expressing himself while standing.
Continually switching his stances while moving laterally, Sterling makes himself hard to read or get a beat on. Incorporating his fair share of feints, the 36-year-old traditionally has worked his way into the fight behind a wall of dynamic kicking variety.
From his snapping front kicks and traditional teeps to his Thai kicks that he parlays into sidekicks, Sterling can execute attacks soundly from either stance. Addressing the criticisms of his game at the boxing range, the Long Islander has also shown improvements in his pocket presence.
Attaching more purpose (as well as punches) to his trunk movements, Sterling will now offer everything from checking hooks and jabs to cheeky elbows over the top. Although Sterlingâs head can be hard to find at times, his legs and body arguably present more tangible targets that a well-schooled striker could pick up on.
Enter Zalal.
A Moroccan-born fighter who came up under Marc Montoya in the quiet martial arts hotbed of Colorado, Zalal has seemingly been a sponge from a technique standpoint. Although Iâd still love to see more of a jabbing presence to help him maintain striking initiatives and cage positioning a bit better, Zalal is a free-flowing striker who is comfortable operating out of both stances.
Typically staging offense on the outside, Zalal will either lead with left-sided strikes or look to intercept oncoming opposition with dangerously accurate knees up the centerline. Zalal is also good about filling space with feints, often building off established knee threats in order to set up counter-balancing crosses off the same side or stance shifts that flow into Pert Yan-style foot sweeps.
When feeling in stride, Zalal will change things up nicely with boxing-style bodywork, as well as flow more freely with knees and elbows in tight. Still, Iâll be curious to see if Zalal shelves some of his patented calf kicks considering the level-changing threats that will be coming his way.
Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal point of interest: Protect your neck
May 6, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Aljamain Sterling (red gloves) fights Henry Cejudo (blue gloves) during UFC 288 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Aljamain Sterling (red gloves) fights Henry Cejudo (blue gloves) during UFC 288 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Given each fighterâs preferred method of finishing fights, protecting the neck will be paramount for both parties this weekend.
For my money, I suspect that Sterling will be the more willing grappler between the two.
A two-time All-American wrestler, Sterling has demonstrated a diverse array of takedowns in his arsenal since arriving in the UFC. From reactive shots in the open to chaining to and from single-legs in the clinch, the 36-year-old has shown that he can hit crafty finishes on the feet when he needs to.
But between Sterling not being beyond getting stuffed and Zalal's potential improvements, I'll be curious to see how the wrestling shakes out this Saturday.
Zalal, who is not shy about single-leg snatches or reactive shots in open space, has shown some solid upgrades to how he turns and finishes his takedowns. And when he can establish any sort of variation of a three-quarter-mount ride, Zalal works textbook wrist-rides and strikes to help open up submission opportunities.
That said, Zalal will be facing a fighter who is difficult to catch and control.
A wrestler whoâs not afraid to fight out of bad spots, Sterling shows no problems when having to attack or create scrambles from negative positions. And once touching down on the mat, Sterlingâs funky flow comes to life even further.
Melding his wrestling base into his innovative jiu-jitsu, Sterling will combine things like chair-sits into leg weaves and rides, seamlessly climbing the walls of his opponentâs defenses. Not afraid to jump on a back, Sterling has also shown to be content in punishing opponents positionally, landing solid ground strikes when submissions are not available.
Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal odds
Despite the oddsmakers opening the former champion as the favorite, public money has come in on the younger fighter, listing Zalal -140 and Sterling +110 via FanDuel.
Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal prediction, pick
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Aljamain Sterling defeats Calvin Kattar in their featherweight fight at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: Aljamain Sterling defeats Calvin Kattar in their featherweight fight at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Although seeing bettors fade older fighters isnât anything new, I can understand the support for Zalal.
Aside from things like youth and momentum being on Zalalâs side, âThe Moroccan Devilâ has a slick, well-rounded style that should please the eye of casuals and hardcores alike. Should Sterling unsuccessfully wear himself out in the grappling department, then Zalalâs bodywork and bludgeoning knees and elbows could be extra potent come the latter rounds.
Zalal also appears to have some insane submission defense to his credit, but the 29-year-oldâs scrambling style seems to inherently come with a ton of back exposure (which is why almost every fighter with any sort of grappling sensibility has been able to at least briefly get Zalalâs back in the octagon). Against a fighter like Sterling, that sort of scrambling sensibility could be a death sentence.
It may have been a while since Sterling sealed the deal with a vintage submission, but the smaller octagon of the Apex is the perfect fighting terrain to encourage that style of fighting â and itâs a big reason why Iâm backing the former champ here.
Zalalâs frame and fighting spirit have made the slew of head-and-arm chokes that have come his way frustrating experiences for his foes, but pure neck chokes or cranks from âgame overâ level grapplers are still the ultimate equalizers in this space.
So, between Zalalâs tendencies in scrambles and his propensity to play along the outskirts of the cage, I believe that the context of the current battlefield favors the more proven product in Sterling. An upset wouldnât shock me, but the official pick is for Sterling to find a submission by Round 3.
Prediction: Sterling inside the distance
Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal start time, how to watch
As the main event, Sterling and Zalal are expected to make their walks to the octagon at approximately 10:35 p.m. ET. The fight streams on Paramount+.
