Aljamain Sterling Mauls Zalal, Issues Callouts For Next 145-Pound Opponents

On Saturday at UFC Fight Night Vegas 116, former bantamweight titleholder Aljamain Sterling continued his winning ways in the featherweight division with a decisive victory over Youssef Zalal in their headlining bout.

During the early rounds of the fight, the pair was quite evenly matched in the striking department, but where Sterling found the difference-making success was when he took things to the ground. On six different occasions, ‘Funk Master’ managed to bring his opponent to the octagon floor, and in many cases found himself in an extremely opportune position.

Sterling inflicted the most dominant punishment when he secured a body triangle on Zelal while on his back, and while many thought he would jump on the submission, the former champion just decided to deliver heavy punches from the position. While there was no climactic finish in the match, despite a couple of close calls, there was no doubt in anyone’s mind about Sterling being declared the winner.

Following the announcement of the unanimous decision victory, Sterling used his time on the mic to call out who he has his eye on next. Back in December 2024, Sterling fell short on the judges’ scorecards to Movsar Evloev at UFC 310, and it seems a rematch with the Russian is at the top of his list. He also made sure to mention that regardless of who he faces next, Sterling is ultimately making a run for Alexander Volanovski’s 145-pound belt and chasing the status of two-division UFC champion.

UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal Full Results:

Main Card

• Main Event: Aljamain Sterling def. Youssef Zalal via Decision (Unanimous)
• Co-Main: Joselyne Edwards def. Norma Dumont via Decision (Unanimous)
• Rafa García def. Alexander Hernandez via Decision (Unanimous)
• Davey Grant def. Adrian Luna Martinetti via Decision (Unanimous)
• Raoni Barcelos def. Montel Jackson via Decision (Split)
• Ryan Spann def. Marcus Buchecha via KO (Right Cross) Round 2, 2:10

Prelims:

• Eric McConico def. Rodolfo Vieira via Decision (Unanimous)
• Jackson McVey def. Sedriques Dumas via Submission (D’Arce Choke) – Round 1, 2:14
• Michelle Montague def. Mayra Bueno Silva via Decision (Unanimous)
• Cody Durden def. Jafel Filho via Decision (Unanimous)
• Francis Marshall def. Lucas Brennan via Decision (Unanimous)
• Victor Valenzuela def. Max Griffin via Decision (Unanimous)
• Talita Alencar def. Julia Polastri via Decision (Unanimous)