Youssef Zalal has stated his goal to become the first fighter to submit former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling in their main event bout at UFC Vegas 116 this weekend. Sterling, known for his elite grappling credentials, has never been submitted in his professional MMA career. Zalal's bold prediction sets up an intriguing stylistic matchup against one of the division's best grapplers. The fight represents a significant opportunity for Zalal to make a statement in the bantamweight division. Details about their respective training camps or fight preparation were not provided in the announcement.
Youssef Zalal has set himself an ambitious target heading into UFC Vegas 116 this weekend, declaring his intention to become the first fighter ever to submit Aljamain Sterling in a main event featherweight bout.
Zalal, nicknamed "The Moroccan Devil," carries an 18-6-1 record into the contest and is ranked 12th in the featherweight division. The 29-year-old, who trains out of Factory X, is a switch-stance fighter standing five-foot-ten with a 72-inch reach. His grappling aggression is a defining feature of his game, with 1.4 submission attempts per 15 minutes alongside 2.17 takedowns per 15 minutes. He also lands 3.03 significant strikes per minute at a 50 percent accuracy rate, showing he is dangerous across multiple areas.
Standing across from him is Aljamain Sterling, the former bantamweight champion now competing at featherweight and ranked fourth in the division. "Funk Master" holds a 26-5 record and, at 36, brings one of the most decorated grappling resumes in the sport to this contest. The New Yorker, who trains with Serra-Longo Fight Team, has never been submitted in his professional career — the very record Zalal is publicly targeting. Standing five-foot-seven with a 71-inch reach, Sterling has also developed into a sharp striker, landing 4.45 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- Zalal's stated submission goal directly challenges the one area of Sterling's record that remains unblemished across 31 professional fights.
- A win for Zalal would vault the 12th-ranked contender into serious divisional conversation; a Sterling victory reinforces his push toward featherweight title contention from the fourth spot.
- The stylistic clash pits Zalal's high submission volume against Sterling's elite defensive grappling, making the ground exchanges the central tactical battleground.
