Youssef Zalal Favored Over Former Champ Alajamin Sterling at UFC Vegas 116

The UFC returns to the Meta APEX in Las Vegas for a rare main event featuring a former title holder.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 12:55am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movements and clashing styles of two UFC featherweight fighters engaged in an intense battle.A cubist interpretation of the high-stakes featherweight clash between rising contender Youssef Zalal and former champion Alajamin Sterling.Las Vegas Today

The UFC heads back to its Las Vegas-based Meta APEX facility this Saturday for UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs Zalal, also known as UFC Vegas 116. The main event features a matchup between former UFC Bantamweight Champion Alajamin Sterling, who is now competing at featherweight, and surging contender Youssef Zalal. Despite Sterling's championship pedigree, Zalal is favored to win the bout due to his youth, size advantage, and striking power.

Why it matters

UFC Vegas 116 represents a significant opportunity for Youssef Zalal to make a statement and potentially earn a future title shot by defeating a former champion in Alajamin Sterling. The outcome of this main event could have major implications for the featherweight division's title picture moving forward.

The details

Zalal, who is seven years younger than Sterling, is expected to have a size and power advantage over the former bantamweight titleholder. Additionally, both fighters are skilled on the ground, so the bout could come down to who has the edge in the striking department. Zalal's combination of youth, size, and striking prowess have made him the betting favorite heading into the main event.

  • UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs Zalal (UFC Vegas 116) takes place on Saturday, April 19, 2026.

The players

Youssef Zalal

A surging featherweight contender who is seven years younger than his opponent, Alajamin Sterling, and is favored to win the main event due to his size, power, and striking advantages.

Alajamin Sterling

A former UFC Bantamweight Champion who is now competing at featherweight, looking to prove he can still compete at the highest level against a younger, rising contender in Youssef Zalal.

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What they’re saying

“Zalal has the tools to beat Sterling and make a statement in the featherweight division. His youth, size, and striking power should give him the edge in this main event matchup.”

— Jeff Fox, MMA Analyst

What’s next

The winner of the UFC Vegas 116 main event between Youssef Zalal and Alajamin Sterling could potentially earn a future title shot in the featherweight division, depending on how the rest of the card plays out.

The takeaway

UFC Vegas 116 represents a pivotal moment for both Youssef Zalal and Alajamin Sterling, as the outcome of the main event could have major implications for the featherweight title picture. Zalal's youth, size, and striking advantage make him the favorite, but Sterling's championship pedigree means this bout is far from a foregone conclusion.