Aljamain Sterling showcased his current physical condition with just one week remaining before his scheduled bout against Youssef Zalal this weekend. The former bantamweight champion appears in impressive form according to the posted images. The post describes Sterling as looking powerful heading into the matchup. This will be an important fight for Sterling as he continues his campaign in the UFC's bantamweight division following his title reign.
Aljamain Sterling offered a public glimpse of his physical condition just one week out from his scheduled featherweight bout against Youssef Zalal, with the former bantamweight champion appearing in strong form ahead of this weekend's matchup.
Sterling, nicknamed "Funk Master," carries a 26-5-0 record and is currently ranked fourth in the UFC featherweight division. The 36-year-old from the United States, who trains out of Serra-Longo Fight Team, has been one of the more active strikers in the division, landing 4.45 significant strikes per minute at a 52 percent accuracy rate. He also averages 2.45 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a threat in multiple areas. The posted images suggest he is entering fight week in peak physical shape as he looks to strengthen his position among the featherweight elite.
Standing across from him will be Youssef Zalal, known as "The Moroccan Devil," who holds an 18-6-1 record and sits at number 12 in the featherweight rankings. The 29-year-old fights out of Factory X and is a switch-stance fighter standing five-foot-ten with a 72-inch reach. Zalal averages 2.17 takedowns per 15 minutes and generates 1.4 submission attempts per 15 minutes, giving him a well-rounded offensive game to complement a striking accuracy of 50 percent.
Why it matters
- Sterling, ranked fourth, is chasing a top-three featherweight position and a potential title shot
- A win for Zalal over a ranked opponent would represent a significant leap up the divisional ladder from his current 12th-place standing
- Sterling's wrestling-heavy style against Zalal's switch-stance grappling creates an intriguing technical matchup on the ground and on the feet
