UFC Fight Night: Aljamain Sterling vs Youssef Zalal Preview & Prediction
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One of the bantamweight GOATs, former champion Aljamain Sterling looks to shut down the submission artist Youssef Zalal to take a massive step towards title contention.
Aljamain Sterling vs Youssef Zalal facts
What time are Aljamain Sterling and Youssef Zalal expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs Zalal? Meta Apex, Enterprise, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs Zalal? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 274
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs Zalal on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs Zalal? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs Zalal main card
Aljamain Sterling vs Youssef Zalal (Featherweight)
Rafa Garcia vs Alexander Hernandez (Lightweight)
Davey Grant vs Juan Adrian Luna Martinetti (Bantamweight)
Montel Jackson vs Raoni Barcelos (Bantamweight)
Norma Dumont vs Joselyne Edwards (Women’s Bantamweight)
Marcus Buchecha vs Ryan Spann (Heavyweight)
UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs Zalal prelims
Talita Alencar vs Julia Polastri (Women’s Strawweight)
Rodolfo Vieira vs Eric McConico (Middleweight)
Mayra Bueno Silva vs Michelle Montague (Women’s Bantamweight)
Jackson McVey vs Sedriques Dumas (Middleweight)
Max Griffin vs Victor Valenzuela (Welterweight)
Jafel Filho vs Cody Durden (Flyweight)
Aljamain Sterling: “Funkmaster” looks to cement himself as next title challenger
Former UFC bantamweight champ Aljamain “Funkmaster” Sterling (25-5) is currently 2-1 at featherweight and sits at #5 in the rankings, coming off a dominant five-round decision over Brian Ortega last August. The only setback for Aljo at 145 pounds was a highly competitive loss to the rightful top contender Movsar Evloev in a fight that showcased top-tier wrestling from both men. Sterling is one of the most decorated grapplers in the sport’s recent history with elite chain wrestling and championship-round cardio, having also beaten the likes of Cory Sandhagen, Petr Yan, TJ Dillashaw, and Henry Cejudo at 135. His recent losses have all come against elite opposition, O’Malley, Petr Yan (yes, I’m counting the first fight a loss), and Evloev – each of whom are truly champion-level fighters.
Youssef Zalal: “The Moroccan Devil” on an eight-fight tear with belt aspirations in sight
Youssef Zalal (18-5-1) has been on an absolute tear since re-signing with the UFC, going 5-0 with four submissions and earning a #7 ranking. The 29-year-old most recently submitted Josh Emmett via armbar in just 98 seconds last October, a finish that came after previous wins over Calvin Kattar, Jack Shore, Jarno Errens, and Billy Quarantillo. Cut by the UFC after a rough four-fight winless stretch in his first stint, Zalal returned a different fighter with a dynamic karate-inspired style that blends excellent movement, fast untelegraphed jabs, sharp calf kicks, and a slick submission game on the ground. He picks his shots on the feet with composure, rolling through the boxing of his opponents, however, Zalal’s finishing threat on the feet remains modest.
Aljamain Sterling vs Youssef Zalal prediction
This will be a very fun fight, but the odds favouring Zalal feel slightly misplaced. Yes, Aljo is aging and hasn’t faced anyone truly dangerous at feather yet, but Zalal isn’t on the level of fighters Sterling has consistently shared the cage with. Sterling’s recent losses have come to Evloev, O’Malley, and Yan, fighters who are either champions, former champions, or elite contenders. Zalal’s resume of Emmett, Kattar, and Shore doesn’t compare, and both men have shared Kattar as an opponent in recent decisions.
On the feet, Zalal does hold the advantage. His footwork, distance management, and striking arsenal are a level above Sterling’s kickboxing, and he’s a constant submission threat in any scramble. However, Zalal hasn’t faced a wrestler anywhere near Sterling’s calibre, and the “Funkmaster” should be able to mix in enough takedowns across five rounds to control significant portions of the fight. Aljo’s control from the back is a nightmare for anyone, and Zalal’s submission game is largely offensive rather than defensive when stuck underneath a top-level grappler.
The scenario that worries me is Aljo getting caught on the feet and dropped or losing a point battle on the feet, however we’ve not seen Zalal’s takedown defence be tested by anyone at the level of Aljo’s and we saw against Ortega – one of the best submission fighters in the division, that Sterling can actually take the better position on the ground and not get wrapped up. Zalal doesn’t carry the one-punch power to put Sterling away outright, and across five rounds, Sterling’s wrestling, cardio, and championship-level experience should be the deciding factors. Give me the underdog.
Prediction: Aljamain Sterling to win by decision
