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.
Key points
Aljamain Sterling won by unanimous decision
Fight took place at UFC Vegas 116
Sterling's record improved to 26-5 MMA
Zalal's record is now 18-6-1 MMA
Sterling aims for a title shot in featherweight
Aljamain SterlingYoussef ZalalUFC Fight Night 274
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
— 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
