Revealed On 26 Apr 2026
After practically two full slow-paced rounds, former Final Combating Championship bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling recorded a choice win over Youssef Zalal within the UFC Vegas 116 essential occasion.
Sterling discovered a gap with lower than a minute left within the second spherical and secured a 49-45, 49-45, 49-45 unanimous determination throughout 25 minutes within the battle on Saturday. He had a number of submission makes an attempt, together with a fourth-round rear-naked choke alternative within the closing minutes.
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The American fighter, who has a 26-5 blended martial arts (MMA) and 18-5 UFC file, was snug in all areas towards his former coaching companion, however his goal for the remainder of his profession is easy: the UFC featherweight title at present held by Alexander Volkanovski.
“Volkanovski, I’m coming,” Sterling mentioned after his win, calling for a title shot.
Zalal, with an 18-6-1 MMA and 8-4-1 UFC file, was stylish in defeat.
“I’ve come again earlier than, and I’ll come again once more,” Zalal mentioned, crediting Sterling’s efforts.
Sterling snapped Zalal’s eight-fight unbeaten streak, predicting that with a bit extra five-round expertise, the Moroccan competitor will discover himself preventing for a championship.
The co-main occasion noticed UFC ladies’s bantamweight contender Joselyne Edwards of Panama transfer a step nearer to a title shot with a unanimous determination victory over Brazil’s Norma Dumont, sweeping the scorecards 29-28, 29-28, 30-27.
Edwards (18-6 MMA, 9-4 UFC) had little hassle with Dumont (13-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC), extending her win streak to 5. Dumont fell simply wanting a four-year unbeaten run, having gained her earlier six outings earlier than taking her first loss since Might 7, 2022.
Within the light-weight division, Rafa Garcia of Mexico halted Alexander Hernandez’s four-fight successful streak, incomes a unanimous determination 29-28, 29-28, 30-27. Garcia (19-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) has gained three in a row, retaining the battle on the ft, taking Hernandez’s finest punches whereas giving again his personal at a a lot larger price. Hernandez (18-9 MMA, 10-8 UFC) had not misplaced since April 6, 2024.
Bantamweight Davey Grant of England earned a unanimous determination towards UFC debutant Adrian Luna Martinetti, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, in an entertaining all-around affair. Grant (18-8 MMA, 9-7 UFC) has gained 5 of his final seven fights, whereas Luna Martinetti (17-2 MMA), who hails from Ecuador, has not misplaced since September 20, 2017.
At bantamweight, Brazil’s Raoni Barcelos squeaked out a split-decision win towards Montel Jackson, taking two of the three judges’ scorecards, 29-28, 28-29, 29-28. Barcelos (22-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC) prolonged his successful streak to 5, courting again to February 24, 2024. On the opposite facet, Jackson (15-4 MMA, 9-4 UFC) has misplaced back-to-back fights since his six-fight successful streak, which spanned March 2021 till final October.
Heavyweight Ryan Spann delivered a blitzing proper hand to ship Brazilian Marcus Buchecha to the canvas, ending the battle by knockout at 2:10 of the second spherical to open the UFC Vegas 116 six-fight essential card with what turned the one end. Spann (24-11 MMA, 10-6 UFC) has gained back-to-back fights and three of his final 4. Buchecha (5-3-1 MMA, 0-2-1 UFC), a seasoned grappler, stays winless within the promotion.
