Cocksure (and incorrect) Aljamain Sterling warns Youssef Zalal UFC Vegas 116 won’t be a cake walk – ‘I didn’t get cut’

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 06: In this image released on January 07, 2026, mixed martial artist Aljamain Sterling attends the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year ceremony at XS nightclub at Encore Las Vegas on January 06, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

“Funkmaster” isn’t expecting an easy night — even if he sounds like he is.

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Bantamweight champion-turned Featherweight contender Aljamain Sterling headlines UFC Vegas 116 this weekend (Sat., April 25, 2026) against No. 7-ranked Youssef Zalal inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Despite sitting as a slight +105 underdog, Sterling is confident the experience gap will show. While he acknowledges Zalal’s well-rounded skill set, he believes the rising contender is in over his head.

“I didn’t get here by accident and this is no cake walk for Youssef Zalal — and if he thinks it’s going to be easy, he’s got a rude awakening coming this Saturday,” Sterling said. “I’m giving it everything I got. He’s a young gun and I’ve got to break him in there. Simple as that. The goal is to go in there, dominate and break the dude.”

Part of Sterling’s confidence stems from Zalal’s past exit from the promotion. “The Moroccan Devil” was released in 2022 after going 3-3-1, something Sterling hasn’t forgotten.