Wed. Mar 25th, 2026

Aljamain Sterling and Youssef Zalal Clash in Pivotal Featherweight Main Event

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to deliver another electrifying event from Las Vegas, Nevada. Headlining the card is a crucial featherweight bout featuring former UFC bantamweight champion and current No. 5 contender Aljamain Sterling against the surging No. 7 ranked Youssef Zalal. In the co-main event, bantamweight action sees No. 3 Norma Dumont go head-to-head with No. 11 Joselyne Edwards.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT: STERLING vs. ZALAL is scheduled for Saturday, April 25th, streaming live from Las Vegas. The preliminary card kicks off at 2 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. ET, followed by the main card at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET. All fights will be exclusively available on Paramount+.

Aljamain Sterling (25-5), representing Uniondale, N.Y., enters the Octagon for his inaugural fight of the 2026 season, determined to make a significant statement. As a former UFC bantamweight champion, Sterling boasts an impressive resume with victories over notable fighters like Henry Cejudo, T.J. Dillashaw, and Brian Ortega. He now aims to halt Zalal’s momentum and continue his ascent towards a second divisional title.

Youssef Zalal (18-5-1), fighting out of Casablanca, Morocco, via Englewood, Colo., is primed to deliver a dominant performance. Zalal has solidified his position in the rankings with impressive wins against top contenders such as Josh Emmett, Calvin Kattar, and Jack Shore since joining the UFC. This bout against Sterling represents a career-defining opportunity for Zalal to secure his biggest victory to date by overcoming a former champion.

Norma Dumont (13-2), hailing from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, returns to action with the intention of seizing the spotlight. “The Immortal” has established herself across two divisions, securing notable victories over Germaine de Randamie, Irene Aldana, and Ketlen Vieira. She now seeks to further cement her status at the top of the 135-pound division by defeating the rising contender Edwards.

Joselyne Edwards (17-6), fighting out of Panama City, Panama, is on a quest for her fifth consecutive win. Having joined the UFC at 26, Edwards has evolved into a seasoned and formidable competitor, delivering finishes against Nora Cornolle, Priscila Cachoeira, and Chelsea Chandler. Her focus is now on Dumont, as she aims to secure another highlight-reel finish and break into the division’s Top 5.

Undercard Highlights:

The stacked card also features several compelling matchups:

  • Strawweight Clash: Talita Alencar (7-1-1, Deerfield Beach, Fla.) takes on Julia Polastri (14-5, Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) in a battle of Dana White’s Contender Series graduates.
  • Middleweight Encounter: Rodolfo Vieira (11-4, Orlando, Fla.) meets Eric McConico (10-4-1, Phoenix, Ariz.) in a preliminary card bout.
  • 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) go head-to-head.
  • Bantamweight Action: No. 14 ranked Montel Jackson (15-3, Milwaukee, Wisc.) faces Raoni Barcelos (21-5, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil).
  • Pivotal Bantamweight Bout: Former title challenger and No. 12 Mayra Bueno Silva (10-6-1, Uberlandia, Minas Gerias, Brazil) collides with the undefeated Michelle Montague (7-0, Coconut Creek, Fla.).
  • Heavyweight Fireworks: Allen Frye Jr. (6-1, Wilmington, N.C.) battles Max Gimenis (6-2, Gaithersburg, Maryland).
  • Exciting Bantamweight Contest: Davey Grant (17-8, Bishop Auckland, England) and Dana White’s Contender Series winner Adrian Luna Martinetti (17-1, Guayaquil, Ecuador) go toe-to-toe.
  • Middleweight Tilt: Jackson McVey (6-2, St. Charles, Mo.) faces off against Dana White’s Contender Series signee Sedriques Dumas (10-4 1 NC, Pensacola, Fla.).

By Connor Westbrook

Connor Westbrook brings his dynamic energy to Liverpool's sports scene, where he's been making waves in sports journalism for the past eight years. With a background in semi-professional football, he offers unique insights into the tactical aspects of the game.

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