UFC Fight Night results, highlights: Aljamain Sterling impresses with dominant performance over Youssef Zalal

Sterling reminded everyone he's a legitimate title challenger at featherweight

Youssef Zalal might be the future of the featherweight division, but Aljamain Sterling is very much the present. The former UFC bantamweight champion reminded everyone that he's a legitimate contender up a weight class, largely dominating a red-hot contender in Saturday's main event.

Sterling ranks among the most overlooked and disrespected champions in UFC history. A grappling-heavy style and a divisive personality -- plus winning the UFC bantamweight title due to disqualification -- have sometimes overshadowed his elite talent. In Las Vegas this weekend, Sterling put everyone on notice, reminding them why he's the winningest fighter in bantamweight history.

"Put some mother f---ing respect on my name when I say I'm next in line for that f---ing world title shot," Sterling said in his post-fight interview. "Everybody else, D-Generation X: suck it." 

Sterling's championship experience was front and center on Saturday. He capitalized on opportunities to build a lead, controlled pivotal positions and wore down Zalal in the latter's first main event. It wasn't a boring performance either. Sterling prioritized a barrage of ground strikes and flashy submissions on the ground.

Zalal's best round was the third, one where he almost submitted Sterling and controlled his back. However, Zalal's one-round comeback was nothing compared to Sterling's response. After losing Round 3, Sterling dominated Zalal on the ground for nearly five full minutes, earning 10-8 rounds from all three judges. By the end, Sterling was looking up to the camera and nodding approvingly while controlling his opponent. The final scores were unanimous 49-45s for Sterling. 

"That was my 23rd UFC fight," Sterling said. "I've only fought three unranked guys since I got signed to this company. My third fight in the UFC was against a guy ranked No. 6 in the world. I haven't looked back since."

Sterling improved to 3-1 since moving to featherweight. He called out reigning featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and top contender Movsar Evloev, the latter of whom handed Sterling his only loss in the division.

UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal card, results

• Aljamain Sterling def. Youssef Zalal via unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 49-45)
• Joselyne Edwards def. Norma Dumont via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Rafa Garcia def. Alexander Hernandez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
• Davey Grant def. Adrian Luna Martinetti via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Raoni Barcelos def. Montel Jackson via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Ryan Spann def. Marcus Buchecha via second-round knockout (punches)

[Apr 25, 2026 at 11:31 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Sterling isn't done chasing gold. The former UFC bantamweight champion delivered his most impressive featherweight performance to date, largely dominating Zalal in the main event. Sterling combined forward pressure, volume strikes, tricky takedowns, and dominant top control. Zalal had a strong bounce back in Round 3, but it was nothing compared to Sterling's Round 4 comeback. He took down Zalal immediately and trounced him in total strikes. All three judges awarded him a 10-8 in the penultimate round and won 49-45 on all the scorecards.

[Apr 25, 2026 at 11:28 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Zalal's corner knows he needs a finish. They implored their fighter to duke it out in the middle of the Octagon. Zalal lands some solid punches, but winds up getting pressed to the fence. They go back to the center, and Sterling isn't afraid to strike. Sterling moves forward with a combination, landing while transitioning directly into a successful takedown. Sterling takes the back, and with a minute left, the outcome seems inevitable. Sterling goes right back to throwing barrages of strikes. With the fight winding down, Sterling looked up, stuck out his tongue, and nodded approvingly of his own performance. Unofficial score: 10-9 Sterling (49-45 Sterling overall)

[Apr 25, 2026 at 11:22 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Another round, another fast start from Sterling. He presses Zalal against the fence. This time, he switches to a hands-first approach. Sterling catches Zalal with multiple punches before eating a big one in return. Sterling immediately switches to wrestling and takes Zalal down with ease. Sterling gets the back and goes right back to throwing an endless barrage of punches. Sterling gets one hand on the chin and starts punching with the other. Sterling starts working on an ultra arm-in rear-naked choke. Zalal looks very uncomfortable, but uses his arm as a wedge to avoid the submission. Sterling loses the submission attempt, but secures the body triangle away from the fence. Zalal scrambles out with 30 seconds left, but he's exhausted. Sterling is picking apart Zalal on the feet now. Zalal presses him against the fence, but can't do anything. The striking tally was approximately 35-2 for Sterling. 10-8 Sterling (39-36 Sterling overall)

[Apr 25, 2026 at 11:15 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Sterling starts the round with more pressure. He shoots the takedown early and Zalal tries to intercept with a knee. Sterling drops to his knees, and it's unclear if he got caught by the strike or not. Sterling nearly gets the takedown but falls into a guillotine choke. Sterling initially transitions to half guard, but Zalal reguards and locks the choke in tight! Sterling is in serious trouble, but manages to reach back and break Zalal's guard. Zalal uses the choke to sweep. Sterling lands a nifty up kick as Zalal moves up to his feet. Zalal passes to side control. Zalal takes the back with 80 seconds to work. Zalal doesn't get much offense off on the ground, but that submission attempt and control certainly win him the round. Unofficial score: 10-9 Zalal (29-28 Sterling overall)

[Apr 25, 2026 at 11:09 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Sterling gets right back to those low kicks. Sterling is putting a lot of pressure on Zalal at the start of this round. Zalal finds space and starts pressuring back. Zalal throws a glancing knee, attempting to catch Sterling on a level change. Zalal lands a solid left cross. Sterling scores two low kicks followed by a long shot to the body. Zalal punches his way into a clinch. Sterling quickly turns him against the fence and starts working on a single leg. Sterling scores a knee to the body on the break. Sterling makes the most of another brief clinch, landing a knee to the body and two punches up top. Zalal is trying to corner Sterling but can't keep him in one place. Sterling with another low kick. Zalal overcommits on a straight! Sterling ducks under it, takes the back, and grounds him. Sterling immediately slides into mount! Big punches from the former champ. Sterling winds up behind Zalal, landing a ton of punches on the ground. Sterling is doing a fantastic job controlling Zalal on the ground. He's repeatedly isolating the arm by either snatching a wrist or applying a full nelson. Unofficial score: 10-9 Sterling (20-18 Sterling overall)

[Apr 25, 2026 at 11:04 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Sterling gets his kicks going right away. Zalal's first weapon is a jab. Both men take turns controlling the center and pressuring their opponent. More kicks and jabs from Sterling and Zalal, respectively. Sterling gets deep on a high-crotch takedown. Zalal defends it after some initial difficulty. Zalal presses forward, but Sterling makes a terrific read. Sterling hits a picture-perfect trip that seats Zalal. Before Zalal can get up, Sterling barrels him over and establishes top position. Zalal throws his legs up for an omaplata, but Sterling stuffs it with good posture. A scramble ensues with Zalal turtling underneath Sterling. Some good knees to the ribs from the former champion. Unofficial score: 10-9 Sterling

[Apr 25, 2026 at 10:43 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

The main event is next! Former UFC bantamweight champion Sterling continues his journey in a new division. Sterling looks to improve to 3-1 at featherweight by beating fellow grappling phenom Zalal. Zalal is 5-0 in his second stint with the promotion, a remarkable course correction after being released from a four-fight winless skid. Bragging rights and a top five spot are at stake. 

[Apr 25, 2026 at 10:42 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

The UFC women's bantamweight division has a new contender. Edwards entered Saturday's fight ranked No. 11 in the weight class. After beating Dumont, she'll likely be ranked inside the top five. Edwards controlled the pace with pressure, boxing combinations, and diverse kicking. Dumont initially handled the pressure well by circling, landing counter punches, and taking her opponent down. However, she gave in to Edwards' style of fight through the final 10 minutes, mostly kicking it out. The judges favored Edwards' striking, giving her a unanimous decision win.

[Apr 25, 2026 at 10:38 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Edwards continues building on her success from the last round. She's throwing a diverse assortment of kicks. Dumont presses forward and gets cracked with combination boxing. Dumont and Edwards each land more kicks. They trade front kicks to the body. Edwards is building confidence, pressing Dumont near the fence. Edwards throws two combinations, partially landing each time. Edwards scores a pair of nice left hooks. Dumont lands a solid combo, which Edwards answers with one of her own. Unofficial score: 10-9 Edwards (29-28 Edwards overall)

[Apr 25, 2026 at 10:33 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Dumont picks away with leg kicks. Edwards plays with a lot of leg kicks and teeps. This is primarily becoming a kicking game at range. Edwards aggressiveness is letting her sneak in some hard shots. Dumont catches a kick and throws a punch. Edwards responds by clocking her on the chin. Edwards presses Dumont against the fence. Unofficial score: 10-9 Edwards (19-19 overall)

[Apr 25, 2026 at 10:26 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Edwards presses forward. Dumont stays on her bicycle, throwing punches and circling. Dumont does a good job of not getting backed against the fence. Edwards keeps trying to corner Dumont. Edwards gets her near the fence and they start throwing haymakers! Both women land clean on the chin! Dumont takes the back in a scramble and works towards a takedown. Hard knees from both athletes in the clinch. Edwards attempts a takedown but can't get it. Dumont turns the tables and gets Edwards down. Edwards hit a sweep with 30 seconds left, but didn't have time to do much with it. Unofficial score: 10-9 Dumont

[Apr 25, 2026 at 10:16 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Edwards has a chance to leapfrog the division. Currently ranked No. 11, Edwards fights the top three women's bantamweight Dumont. The division could use fresh blood, and Edwards has momentum entering with a four-fight win streak. It's especially timely after women's bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison announced today that she's close to a comeback. 

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Shakiel Mahjouri

[Apr 25, 2026 at 10:13 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Hernandez vs. Garcia wasn't as competitive as the betting lines suggested. Hernandez entered as a very small favorite, but he didn't fight like it. Garcia set the pace with takedowns and higher striking output. Garcia's most impressive round was the second, where he bloodied Hernandez with a disciplined jab. The judges awarded Garcia a unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27). His hard work snapped Hernandez's four-fight winning streak and put him on track for ranked opposition.

[Apr 25, 2026 at 9:36 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Don't blink! Hernandez packs a serious punch. That's why he's a small favorite against the ultra-tough Garcia. Hernandez is on a four-fight win streak with two consecutive first-round knockdowns. Garcia is coming off his own KO win.

[Apr 25, 2026 at 9:34 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Experience beat youth in this bantamweight tilt. Grant, 40, picked apart Martinetti, 30, over three hard rounds. Martinetti's rebellious pressure and athleticism gave him moments in the fight, but he was largely without answers. Grant beautifully picked apart Martinetti's lead leg, compelling him to switch to a less favorable southpaw stance. Once Martinetti was in southpaw, Grant cracked him with hard right hands. The final seconds really highlighted the differences in their approach. Martinetti, exhausted, threw a labored rolling thunder kick at the bell and could barely stand up. Grant, by contrast, was barely breathing despite his high volume. Grant held a significant strike advantage by the time the fight was over. All three judges awarded Grant 29-28 scores.