UFC Vegas 116 concluded with Aljamain Sterling defeating Youssef Zalal by unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 49-45) in the main event. Jocelyn Edwards defeated Norma Dumont by unanimous decision, and Rafa Garcia beat Alexander Hernandez. Ryan Spann knocked out Marcus Buchecha in round two, while Jackson McVay submitted Cedriques Dumas with a D'arce choke in the first round. Other winners included Raoni Barcelos, Eric McConnico, Michelle Montagu, Cody Durden, Francis Marshall, Victor Valenzuela, and Talita Alencar. The card featured eleven decisions total with only two stoppages.
Aljamain Sterling headlined UFC Vegas 116 on April 26, claiming a dominant unanimous decision victory over Youssef Zalal, with all three judges scoring the main event 49-45. The card wrapped up with eleven of thirteen bouts going to the scorecards, producing only two stoppages across the entire night.
Sterling, one of the most recognizable names in the bantamweight division, controlled the contest from start to finish across five rounds, leaving no doubt on the judges' cards. The wide scores reflected a performance that was commanding throughout.
In the co-main event, Jocelyn Edwards defeated Norma Dumont by unanimous decision, adding another win to what has been a strong run in the women's featherweight division. Rafa Garcia also picked up a decision victory over Alexander Hernandez, who came in with an 18-9 record. The 33-year-old American, who trains out of Factory X, had averaged 4.31 significant strikes per minute across his career but could not find enough consistency on the night to sway the judges.
The two finishes on the card both came in the earlier portions of the broadcast. Ryan Spann stopped Marcus Buchecha by knockout in round two, and Jackson McVay submitted Cedriques Dumas with a D'arce choke in the first round, providing the night's most emphatic results.
Other victors on the card included Raoni Barcelos, Eric McConnico, Michelle Montagu, Cody Durden, Francis Marshall, Victor Valenzuela, and Talita Alencar, with the majority of those bouts also going the distance.
Why it matters
- Sterling's dominant 49-45 sweep signals he remains a significant force in the bantamweight division
- Spann's second-round knockout of Buchecha was the card's lone striking stoppage and keeps him relevant in the light heavyweight picture
- The heavy volume of decisions across eleven fights points to a card where grinders and technical fighters dictated the pace throughout
