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. Zalal briefly looked for a triangle choke but Sterling defended and moved to h half guard. Zalal scrambled but was unable to get back to his feet. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Sterling.
Sterling delivered leg kicks early in the second frame before looking for a takedown. Zalal's takedown defense held up and they separated. Zalal jumped into the pocket with a knee that partially landed. Sterling began pressuring Zalal and delivered a kick to the body. Sterling looked for a takedown along the cage but Zalal circled away. Zalal began landing his jab. Zalal missed with a right hand and Sterling secured a takedown. He mounted Zalal and hammered away with left hands. Zalal rolled Stelring remained on his back with a body lock applied. He delivered a series of punches. MMAWeekly scored the frame 10-9 for Sterling.
Sterling moved forward and changed levels. He elevated Zalal and sat him down on the canvas. Zalal applied a guillotine choke. Sterling defended the submission attempt but had to give up top position. Sterling avoided taking damage and connected with an uptick. Zalal passed Sterling's guard to side control. Zalal took Sterling's back and applied a body triangle. Sterling avoided absorbing damage but lost the round. MMAWeekly scored the frame 10-9 for Zalal.
Sterling pressed forward to start the fourth. He backed Zalal up with punches and worked to get the fight to the ground. He secured the takedown and took Zalal's back with four minutes left in the round. Sterling delivered left hands to the side of Zalal's head. Zalal rolled but Sterling maintained position. Sterling continued to pepper Zalal with punches. Zalal rolled to his back but was met with more punches. Zalal worked his way to his feet in the closing moments but Sterling dominated the round. MMAWeekly score the frame 10-9 for Sterling.
Zalal came out in the final frame looking to engage. He pressured Sterling and landed a right hand. Sterling decided to get the fight to the ground. Zalal had other plans and the two eventually separated. Sterling pressed forward with punches and took Zalal down with two minutes remaining on the clock. Zalal gave up his back. Sterling delivered left hands followed by right hands. He let Zalal up at the bell. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Sterling.
The Judes scored the fight for Sterling via unanimous decision. All three scorecards read 49-45.