Youssef Zalal has stated he wants to become the first fighter to submit Aljamain Sterling in their main event bout at UFC Vegas 116 this weekend. The post presents this as Zalal's ambitious goal heading into the fight. Sterling has never been submitted in his professional MMA career, making this a particularly bold claim from Zalal. The matchup represents a significant test for both fighters in the bantamweight division.
Youssef Zalal has set an audacious target ahead of his main event clash with Aljamain Sterling at UFC Vegas 116 this weekend, declaring his intention to become the first fighter ever to submit the former bantamweight champion in a professional MMA bout.
Zalal, known as "The Moroccan Devil," enters the contest with an 18-6-1 record and is ranked 12th in the featherweight division. The 29-year-old out of Factory X brings a well-rounded offensive game, averaging 3.03 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy while adding 2.17 takedowns per 15 minutes. Notably, he attempts 1.4 submissions per 15 minutes, a number that underlines exactly why he feels confident making this particular call-out of Sterling's record.
Sterling, nicknamed "Funk Master," is the far more decorated name heading into the contest. The Serra-Longo Fight Team product holds a 26-5-0 record and sits fourth in the featherweight rankings. At 36 years old, the orthodox fighter stands five-foot-seven with a 71-inch reach and has never once been submitted across his entire professional career. His own offensive numbers are sharp, landing 4.45 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy and averaging 2.45 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a threat in virtually every phase.
Why it matters
- Sterling's unblemished submission defense is one of the defining marks of his career, and Zalal's stated goal puts that legacy directly on the line.
- A victory for the 12th-ranked Zalal over the fourth-ranked Sterling would represent a major leap up the featherweight ladder.
- Both fighters offer grappling volume, setting up a compelling battle for control on the mat wherever the fight heads.
