Aljamain Sterling secured a decisive victory over Youssef Zalal at UFC Vegas 116, headlining UFC Fight Night 274 on April 24, 2026, at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. The former UFC bantamweight champion dominated the featherweight bout via unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the fight 49-45 in his favor. Sterling improved his record to 26-5 overall and 18-5 in the UFC, while Zalal fell to 18-6-1 overall and 8-4-1 in the promotion, ending an eight-fight winning streak.
From the opening bell, Sterling displayed sharp striking and fluid movement, but it was his grappling that ultimately dictated the pace of the fight. He repeatedly took Zalal’s back, utilizing his signature body triangle and hunting for a rear-naked choke. Although Zalal found moments of success in the third round, Sterling maintained control throughout, particularly in the fourth and fifth rounds where he overwhelmed his opponent with sustained pressure and positional dominance. The performance marked Sterling’s third win in his last four outings since moving to featherweight, positioning him as a serious contender in the 145-pound division.
Following the victory, Sterling made it clear in his post-fight interview that he has his sights set on two key targets: Movsar Evloev, who handed him his only loss in the featherweight division, and current UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. “I’m coming for both of them — no pause,” Sterling declared inside the Octagon. His comments signaled a renewed focus on capturing UFC gold in a second weight class, a feat achieved by only a select few in the promotion’s history.
Meanwhile, Youssef Zalal, despite the loss, earned widespread respect for his journey to the main event. After being released by the UFC in 2022 following a four-fight stint, Zalal rebuilt his career through regional circuits before earning a re-signing and ultimately headlining a UFC event. His eight-fight win streak, five of which came in the UFC, came to an end against Sterling, but his resilience and progression were noted by analysts and fans alike as a testament to his determination.
The co-main event featured a significant light heavyweight knockout, as Ryan Spann delivered a devastating finish against Ivan Erslan. Spann landed a powerful left hook just 47 seconds into the first round, dropping Erslan and following up with ground strikes to earn the TKO victory at 0:47 of round one. The win improved Spann’s record to 22-9 overall and 12-6 in the UFC, snapping a two-fight losing streak and reaffirming his status as a dangerous finisher in the 205-pound division.
In addition to the main and co-main events, UFC Vegas 116 delivered several standout performances that earned postseason bonuses. Joselyne Edwards secured a unanimous decision win over Stephanie Egger in a women’s bantamweight bout, while Gabriel Santos submitted Rafael Estevam via arm-triangle choke in the second round of their flyweight contest. Both Edwards and Santos were awarded “Performance of the Night” bonuses, each receiving an additional $50,000 for their impressive finishes.
The “Fight of the Night” honor went to a closely contested featherweight duel between Lucas Almeida and Diego Lopes, which Almeida won via split decision after three intense rounds. The back-and-forth action, marked by aggressive striking and relentless pace, captivated the audience and earned both fighters the $50,000 bonus. No “Submission of the Night” or “Knockout of the Night” awards were issued separately, as the Performance of the Night bonuses encompassed those categories for this event.
UFC Vegas 116 drew a solid crowd to the Meta APEX, continuing the promotion’s trend of hosting high-energy, fight-night events in Las Vegas with strong fan engagement. The card showcased a mix of veteran experience and rising talent, reinforcing the depth of the UFC roster across multiple divisions. With Sterling’s win, the featherweight title picture continues to evolve, setting the stage for potential future matchups involving the former bantamweight king.
As of now, no official date has been announced for Sterling’s next fight, though his callout of Volkanovski and Evloev suggests a potential title eliminator or championship bout could be on the horizon. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely for any updates from the UFC regarding the featherweight division’s next steps.
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