UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal - High-Stakes Featherweight Showdown

UFC returns to Las Vegas, Nevada, for an electrifying Fight Night event, headlined by a crucial featherweight contest. Former UFC Bantamweight Champion and current No. 5 ranked featherweight contender, Aljamain Sterling, is set to face the formidable No. 7 ranked Youssef Zalal. This highly anticipated main event promises significant implications for the divisional title picture.

The co-main event will feature a compelling bantamweight clash between No. 3 ranked Norma Dumont and No. 11 ranked contender Joselyne Edwards, as both athletes aim to climb the competitive 135-pound rankings.

Event Details

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

Main Event Spotlight: Sterling vs. Zalal

Aljamain Sterling (25-5, fighting out of Uniondale, N.Y.) makes his 2026 season debut with the clear intention of making a powerful statement in the featherweight division. A celebrated former UFC Bantamweight Champion, Sterling has a distinguished career, boasting dominant wins over elite fighters such as Henry Cejudo, T.J. Dillashaw, and Brian Ortega. He now seeks to halt Zalal’s momentum and further his quest for a second UFC title in a new weight class.

Youssef Zalal (18-5-1, fighting out of Casablanca, Morocco by way of Englewood, Colo.) is geared up to deliver a career-defining performance. Since stepping into the Octagon, Zalal has rapidly ascended the rankings with impressive victories against top-tier opponents like Josh Emmett, Calvin Kattar, and Jack Shore. Zalal now has his sights set on Sterling, aiming to secure the biggest win of his career by defeating a former champion and solidifying his contender status.

Co-Main Event: Dumont vs. Edwards

Norma Dumont (13-2, fighting out of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil) returns to the action looking to impress. The Brazilian standout has built a strong reputation across two divisions, earning significant wins over notable adversaries including former champion Germaine de Randamie, Irene Aldana, and Ketlen Vieira. She aims to further cement her place at the pinnacle of the 135-pound division by overcoming the rising contender, Edwards.

Joselyne Edwards (17-6, fighting out of Panama City, Panama) is focused on securing her fifth consecutive victory. Joining the UFC at 26, Edwards has matured into a seasoned and formidable competitor, known for her decisive finishes against Nora Cornolle, Priscila Cachoeira, and Chelsea Chandler. Edwards now turns her attention to Dumont, aspiring to deliver another memorable finish and break into the division’s Top 5.

Additional Bouts on the Card Include:

• Strawweight: Talita Alencar (7-1-1, Brazil) vs. Julia Polastri (14-5, Brazil) – An all-Brazilian clash between Dana White’s Contender Series graduates.
• Middleweight: Rodolfo Vieira (11-4, Orlando, Fla.) vs. Eric McConico (10-4-1, Phoenix, Ariz.) – A preliminary card middleweight encounter.
• Flyweight: Jafel Filho (17-4, Brazil) vs. Lucas Rocha (18-2, Brazil) – A battle between Dana White’s Contender Series contract winners.
• Bantamweight: No. 14 Montel Jackson (15-3, Milwaukee, Wisc.) vs. Raoni Barcelos (21-5, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) – A thrilling bantamweight showdown.
• Bantamweight: No. 12 Mayra Bueno Silva (10-6-1, Brazil) vs. Michelle Montague (7-0, New Zealand) – A pivotal bantamweight bout featuring a former title challenger.
• Heavyweight: Allen Frye Jr. (6-1, Wilmington, N.C.) vs. Max Gimenis (6-2, Gaithersburg, Maryland) – Expect an explosive heavyweight clash.
• Bantamweight: Davey Grant (17-8, England) vs. Adrian Luna Martinetti (17-1, Ecuador) – "The Danger" Grant takes on a Dana White’s Contender Series signee.
• Middleweight: Jackson McVey (6-2, St. Charles, Mo.) vs. Sedriques Dumas (10-4 1 NC, Pensacola, Fla.) – A middleweight tilt featuring a Contender Series alumnus.