Analyst: Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal winner won't get UFC title shot

There's a lot on the line in Saturday's UFC Fight Night 274 main event between Aljamain Sterling and Youssef Zalal – just not a featherweight title shot.

At least that's the opinion of UFC desk analyst Alan Jouban, who will be working this weekend's card from the Meta APEX in Las Vegas (Paramount+).

Although Jouban doesn't see whoever emerges victorious between Sterling (25-5 MMA, 17-5 UFC) and Zalal jumping (18-5-1 MMA, 8-3-1 UFC) over Movsar Evloev or Jean Silva in the queue to next challenge champion Alexander Volkanovski, he does find it to be a fascinating matchup between the former 135-pound titleholder and a surging name who hasn't been beaten since returning to the promotion for a second stint.

"It's hard not to root for Youssef Zalal as of late," Jouban told MMA Junkie. "I take him as a very smart IQ fighter. He's a very loving guy when you speak to him. When he gets in there, it's like a computer. He's using his range, he's using his distance, and picking his shots very wisely. He's utilizing his grappling, which has looked phenomenal.

"Sterling is one of the very best in the world. He went toe-to-toe with Movsar Evloev in some very tough exchanges. Does Zalal try to dip his toe in the grappling, or does he use that high IQ that I keep boasting about?"

Sterling has won two of three since moving up from bantamweight, beating Calvin Kattar and Brian Ortega between a close decision loss to Evloev at UFC 310. He's been banging the drum for a title shot to join the exclusive club of names to win belts in two divisions, but he must first get through Zalal, who is 5-0 since rejoining the UFC roster in March 2024 and is coming off a 98-second submission of Josh Emmett.

Jouban sees both men as part of the upper tier of the weight class, but unless they deliver a spectacular highlight, admits both men will likely need to stack another win on their record before truly being considered for a championship opportunity.

"It puts them in the picture," Jouban said. "I don't know if I could be comfortable saying a win here gets a title shot. Maybe one more win away. It feels like Zalal has more to gain in this matchup coming off a win over the name of an Aljamain Sterling. If he's able to get through Aljo, it's like, 'Wow, maybe this guy is ready for the top of the division.' It'll be interesting to see."

To hear more from Jouban, check out his complete appearance on with MMA Junkie senior reporter Mike Bohn.