Wed. Mar 25th, 2026

Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal: Featherweight Showdown Headlines Thrilling UFC Fight Night

UFC is set to deliver another electrifying event in Las Vegas, Nevada, featuring a highly anticipated main event. Former UFC bantamweight champion and current No. 5 featherweight contender, Aljamain Sterling, goes head-to-head with the No. 7 ranked Youssef Zalal. The co-main event promises another exciting bantamweight clash as No. 3 Norma Dumont squares off against No. 11 ranked contender Joselyne Edwards.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT: STERLING vs. ZALAL is scheduled for Saturday, April 25th, live from Las Vegas, Nevada. Preliminary fights will kick off at 2 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. ET, leading into the main card at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET. Fans can catch all the action streaming live on Paramount+.

Aljamain Sterling: Path to a Second Title

Making his 2026 debut, Aljamain “Funk Master” Sterling (25-5, representing Uniondale, N.Y.) is determined to make a significant statement in the featherweight division. As a former UFC bantamweight champion, Sterling has cemented his legacy with dominant victories over elite opponents like Henry Cejudo, T.J. Dillashaw, and Brian Ortega. He now aims to halt Zalal’s impressive run and further his quest for a second divisional title.

Youssef Zalal: Chasing the Biggest Win

Youssef Zalal (18-5-1, fighting out of Casablanca, Morocco, via Englewood, Colo.) is focused on delivering a flawless performance. Since entering the Octagon, Zalal has rapidly climbed the rankings, securing notable wins against formidable fighters such as Josh Emmett, Calvin Kattar, and Jack Shore. Zalal now has his sights firmly set on Sterling, envisioning this as the biggest win of his career and a chance to overcome a former champion.

Norma Dumont: Solidifying Her Top Rank

Norma Dumont (13-2, fighting out of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil) is back in action, poised to steal the spotlight. The Brazilian contender has established a formidable presence across two divisions, boasting impressive victories over former champion Germaine de Randamie, Irene Aldana, and Ketlen Vieira. She looks to reinforce her position at the top of the 135-pound rankings by defeating the surging Joselyne Edwards.

Joselyne Edwards: Aiming for the Top 5

Joselyne “La Pantera” Edwards (17-6, fighting out of Panama City, Panama) is gunning for her fifth consecutive victory. Having joined the UFC at 26, Edwards has evolved into a seasoned and fierce competitor, delivering decisive finishes against Nora Cornolle, Priscila Cachoeira, and Chelsea Chandler. Edwards now turns her attention to Dumont, aiming for another highlight-reel finish to break into the division’s Top 5.

Undercard Highlights

Additional exciting bouts on the card include:

  • Strawweight Clash: An all-Brazilian matchup between Dana White’s Contender Series graduates, Talita Alencar (7-1-1, Deerfield Beach, Fla. via Carutapera, Maranhão, Brazil) and Julia Polastri (14-5, Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil).
  • Middleweight Preliminary: Rodolfo Vieira (11-4, Orlando, Fla.) takes on Eric McConico (10-4-1, Phoenix, Ariz.).
  • Flyweight Showdown: Dana White’s Contender Series contract winners Jafel Filho (17-4, Sento Sé, Bahia, Brazil) and Lucas Rocha (18-2, Coari, Amazonas, Brazil) face off.
  • Bantamweight Action: No. 14 Montel Jackson (15-3, Milwaukee, Wisc.) and Raoni Barcelos (21-5, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) clash in a high-octane bantamweight bout.
  • Pivotal Bantamweight Bout: Former title challenger and No. 12 ranked Mayra Bueno Silva (10-6-1, Uberlandia, Minas Gerais, Brazil) meets the undefeated Michelle Montague (7-0, Coconut Creek, Fla. via Matamata, New Zealand).
  • Heavyweight Fireworks: Allen Frye Jr. (6-1, Wilmington, N.C.) battles Max Gimenis (6-2, Gaithersburg, Maryland).
  • Exciting Bantamweight Encounter: Davey Grant (17-8, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, England) goes toe-to-toe with Dana White’s Contender Series contract winner Adrian Luna Martinetti (17-1, Guayaquil, Ecuador).
  • Middleweight Tilt: Jackson McVey (6-2, St. Charles, Mo.) faces Dana White’s Contender Series signee Sedriques Dumas (10-4 1 NC, Pensacola, Fla.).

By Duncan Priestley

Duncan Priestley has become a fixture in Manchester's vibrant combat sports scene. Specializing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and submission grappling coverage, Duncan's articles provide thoughtful analysis of the technical aspects that casual observers might miss.

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