UFC Vegas 116: Aljamain Sterling handles Youssef Zalel with vintage form in step forward at featherweight
Aljamain Sterling might just be worth watching at featherweight. The former UFC bantamweight champion showcased vintage form against rising star Youssef Zalal, defeating him by unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 49-45). The result snapped an impressive eight-fight win streak for Zalal, who was threatening to enter the next tier of challengers in the division.
Instead, Sterling found a little more traction as he tries to complete the path to double champ status, as he explained after the fight: “They call me unc now. I’m 36 years old, so I’m trying to make one more title run. ” The performance revolved around a gradual but eventually overwhelming advantage on the ground for Sterling, who got into his favorite backpack position several times and racked up ground-and-poundstrikes from there.
The first big break came in the second round, and Sterling maintained momentum from there. Zalal did manage to turn the tables a bit in the third round, but went for a submission instead of damage. It might have been his best chance at winning, but it left him with nothing to show for it as they entered the championship rounds for the first time of Zalal’s career.
The fourth round was a 10-8 across the board for Sterling, who had Zalal on the ground throughout, and he was showboating by the end of the fifth round. After a strong but not exactly popular run at bantamweight — culminating in a four-fight run as champion — Sterling is in a new division and could still have plenty of work to do if he wants to get another title shot. Movsar Evloev is the clear choice as the next challenger for Alexander Volkanovski after defeating fellow undefeated challenger Lerone Murphy, and the division still has the likes of Murphy, Diego Lopes and Jean Silva lying around.
Sterling said he wanted to dive straight into that tier of competitors: “Happy to compete against a young prospect, a guy I really think could be fighting for a world title tomorrow, and I just beat him. Movsar, I’m coming for that ass next. Volkanovski, you know I’m coming for that ass.