Aljamain Sterling shuts down Youssef Zalal in UFC Vegas 116 main event
A featherweight bout between former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling and No. 7 ranked Youssef Zalal headlined Saturday's UFC event at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas. Sterling entered the match ranked No.
5 in the division and coming off a dominant win over former two-time title challenger Brian Ortega . Since returning to the bantamweight division in 2024, "Funk Master" has gone 2-1 with the one loss being to the top contender Movsar Evloev via decision. Zalal made the walk to the octagon for his first UFC main event riding an impressive eight-fight winning streak knowing a win over Sterling would jump him in the rankings and into the title picture.
They met in the center and measured distance with missed leg kicks. Zalal landed a leg kick. Step.
ing pressed forward behind a jab. Zalal began pressuring Sterling. He landed a counter right hand.
Sterling changed levels and worked to get the fight to the ground midway through the round. Zalal defended the attempt and they separated. Zalal slipped while throwing a kick and Sterling seized the opportunity to gain top control on the ground.