

Aljamain Sterling defeated Youssef Zalal by unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 116, enhancing his title aspirations in the featherweight division. This marks Sterling's second win in three fights since moving up to featherweight.
Aljamain Sterling continued to build a case toward a chance for a title in a second division when he turned back surging contender Youssef Zalal in the UFC Fight Night 274 main event. Sterling (26-5 MMA, 18-5 UFC) has won two of three since moving up to featherweight with a unanimous decision victory over Zalal (18-6-1 MMA, 8-4-1 UFC) in Saturday's headlining matchup at Meta APEX in Las Vegas. Check below for the top X (formerly Twitter) reactions to Sterling beating Zalal at UFC Fight Night 274. Fighters react to Youssef Zalal's victory over Aljamain Sterling at UFC Vegas 116
Dressed for success ✨@FunkmasterMMA & @TheMorocanDevil have arrived!
[ #UFCVegas116 | LIVE NOW on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/aYOTEPexhb
— UFC (@ufc) April 25, 2026 In the wings! Our #UFCVegas116 headliners getting the hands ready for battle! ⚔️🔥
Sterling vs Zalal | @Sportsnet & @TVASportspic.twitter.com/iB6zdQmVZs
— UFC Canada (@UFC\_CA) April 26, 2026 STERLING vs ZALAL! Who you got in our #UFCVegas116 main event?!
Aljamain Sterling won the fight against Youssef Zalal by unanimous decision.
Sterling's win strengthens his case for a title shot in the featherweight division.
After defeating Zalal, Aljamain Sterling's MMA record improved to 26 wins and 5 losses.
Key moments included Sterling's effective grappling exchanges and a dominant performance in the later rounds.

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— UFC Canada (@UFC\_CA) April 26, 2026 Rad pic.twitter.com/jMVzvgBj1v
— RJ Clifford (@RJcliffordMMA) April 26, 2026 Sterling looking very sharp. 10-9 #UFCVegas116
— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) April 26, 2026 2-0 Aljo but man bro gotta stay focus them knees were close
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) April 26, 2026 20-18 Aljo after two rounds
Solid performance so far
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) April 26, 2026 Not panicked at all. Great couple of rounds by these two warriors! #ufc
— Dustin Jacoby 🇺🇸 (@thehanyakdj) April 26, 2026 Damn Zalal really had Aljo panicking there for a second
— caposa (@Grabaka\_Hitman) April 26, 2026 Zalal takes Round 3
29-28 Sterling #UFCVegas116
— Matthew Wells (@MrMWells) April 26, 2026 Round 4 is gonna be interesting
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) April 26, 2026 Aljo’s body triangle is so hard to get out of
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) April 26, 2026 10-8 comeback round for Sterling. That was complete dominance on the ground. Zalal looked like he went to sleep for a moment. #UFCVegas116
— Korean John (@KoreanJohn\_) April 26, 2026 Aljo might the the top-5 all time fighter who looks like he's gonna gets KOd with every punch.
— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) April 26, 2026 Congratulations Movsar Evloev, the UFC cannot take your title shot away from you at this point.
— Jed Meshew II (@JedKMeshew) April 26, 2026 Makes u appreciate the grappling exchanges in the movsar vs aljo fight more
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) April 26, 2026 Vintage performance from Aljamain Sterling. Don't count the former champ out — he's coming for the second belt at 145.#UFCVegas116 | @UFConPolymarketpic.twitter.com/f2pyqwPWau
— UFC on Polymarket (@UFConPolymarket) April 26, 2026 🤪🤪🤪
[ #UFCVegas116 | LIVE NOW on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/our8GXicZP
— UFC (@ufc) April 26, 2026 Aljo fight iq was incredible 👏👏👏 Zalal showed no quit tho
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) April 26, 2026 #UFCVegas116 results: Aljamain Sterling def. Youssef Zalal via unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 49-45)
Full coverage ➡️ pic.twitter.com/zeSuXh4M2c
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) April 26, 2026 Strong showing by Aljo. Featherweight is fairly open right now. One more W and he gets a crack at gold, imo
— Nolan King (@mma\_kings) April 26, 2026 Aljo gets his hand raised #UFCVegas116
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) April 26, 2026 *This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC Vegas 116: Fighters react to Aljamain Sterling beating Youssef Zalal*