Youssef Zalal: Aljamain Sterling has an advantage at UFC Vegas 116

Youssef Zalal is familiar with Aljamain Sterling both personally and in the training room, but all that will be put aside when they meet in Saturday's UFC Fight Night 274 headliner. Zalal (18-5-1 MMA, 8-3-1 UFC) gets his first main event opportunity when he takes on former bantamweight champion Sterling (25-5 MMA, 17-5 UFC) in a key featherweight bout at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas ( Paramount+ ). After a disappointing first octagon run in his early 20s, Zalal has broken out since returning to the promotion for a second stint in February 2024.

He's 5-0 with four submissions, and now gets a firm test in the form of Sterling, who is one of the most successful lower-weight fighters in UFC history. It's a lot to take on, and Zalal's first five-rounder in the UFC happening at the Meta APEX means the smaller octagon will be used for the event. That gives him less space to work his movement-heavy standup style, but also doesn't deter him from knowing he can execute.

"I think (the small cage) probably gives him more an advantage than anything," Zalal told MMA Junkie on Monday. "But it's a fight. You get to figure out all the puzzles and the chess match and stuff.

With me, you better bring your A-game and your best chess game and everything. If you don't, I will find an opportunity to find my finish and an opportunity to pick you apart for five rounds. I think that's what excites me.