Aljamain Sterling is far from finished.
The former UFC bantamweight champion showcased vintage form against rising star Youssef Zalal on Saturday, defeating him by unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 49-45) in the featherweight main event of UFC Vegas 116. The result snapped an impressive eight-fight win streak for Zalal, who was threatening to enter the next tier of challengers in the 145-pound division.
Instead, Sterling (26-5) found a little more traction as he tries to complete the path to double champ status, as he explained after the fight:
“They call me unc now. I’m 36 years old, so I’m trying to make one more title run.”
The performance revolved around a gradual but eventually overwhelming advantage on the ground for Sterling, who got into his favorite backpack position several times and racked up ground-and-pound strikes from there. The former champ’s first big break came in the second round, and Sterling maintained that momentum the whole way through.
Zalal (18-6-1) briefly turned the tables a bit in the third round, but hunted for a submission instead of damage. It might have been his best chance at winning, but the attempt ultimately left him with nothing to show for it as Zalal entered the championship rounds for the first time in his career.
The fourth round was a 10-8 across the board for Sterling, who had Zalal on the ground throughout, and he was showboating by the end of the fifth round.
After a strong run at bantamweight — culminating in a four-fight reign as UFC champion — Sterling is now 3-1 in his new division but will likely still have work to do if he wants to secure another title shot. Movsar Evloev is the clear choice as the next challenger for UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski after defeating fellow contender Lerone Murphy in March, and the division still contains the likes of Murphy, Diego Lopes and Jean Silva lying around.
Sterling said he wants to dive straight into that tier of competitors:
“Happy to compete against a young prospect, a guy I really think could be fighting for a world title tomorrow, and I just beat him. Movsar, I’m coming for that ass next. Volkanovski, you know I’m coming for that ass.
“Give me my shot man, I’ve worked so hard. I’ve been in this company for 12 years. That was my 23rd UFC fight. I’ve only fought three unranked guys since I got signed to this company. My third fight in the UFC was a guy ranked sixth in the world and I haven’t looked back since, so put some motherf***ing respect on my name when I say I’m next in line for that motherf***ing title shot.”
The UFC, never a big fan of wrestling-focused styles like Sterling’s, isn’t going to give him another title shot unless he makes an overwhelming case. If he does, Saturday will certainly be mentioned.
Check out full UFC Vegas 116 results and highlights below.
Main card
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Featherweight: Aljamain Sterling def. Youssef Zalal via unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 49-45)
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Women’s bantamweight: Joselyn Edwards def. Norma Dumont via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
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Lightweight: Rafa García def. Alexander Hernandez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
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Bantamweight: Davey Grant def. Adrían Luna Martinetti via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
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Bantamweight: Raoni Barcelos def. Montel Jackson via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
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Heavyweight: Ryan Spann def. Marcus Buchecha via KO (punches) at 2:10 of R2 | Watch finish
Prelims
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Middleweight: Eric McConico def. Rodolfo Vieira via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
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Middleweight: Jackson McVey def. Sedriques Dumas via submission (brabo choke) at 2:14 of R1 | Watch finish
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Women’s bantamweight: Michelle Montague def. Mayra Bueno Silva via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
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Bantamweight: Cody Durden def. Jafel Filho via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
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Lightweight: Francis Marshall def. Lucas Brennan via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
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Welterweight: Victor Valenzuela def. Max Griffin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
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Women’s strawweight: Talita Alencar def. Julia Polastri via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
