Aljamain Sterling delivered a dominant performance against Said Nurmagomeddin Zalal, securing a victory and immediately issuing callouts to the top fighters in the featherweight division. The event saw 11 decisions in 13 fights, with only the Grant-Martinetti bout offering notable action according to the source. Sterling's move to featherweight continues to yield results as he positions himself for bigger opportunities. Dana White was present at the White House during a security incident but remained composed, later describing the experience as intense and surreal. Carlos Ulberg revealed his recovery timeline is projected at 6-8 months following his recent injury.
Aljamain Sterling continued his featherweight campaign on April 26 with a dominant victory over Said Nurmagomeddin Zalal, and wasted no time making his ambitions clear by calling out top names in the 145-pound division.
Sterling, known as "Funk Master," now carries a 26-5 record and sits ranked fourth in the featherweight division. The 36-year-old American out of Serra-Longo Fight Team stands five-foot-seven with a 71-inch reach and has brought a well-rounded offensive game to featherweight, averaging 4.45 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy while also threatening on the mat with 2.45 takedowns per 15 minutes. His win over Zalal reinforces that his transition to featherweight is producing results, and his post-fight callouts signal he believes a title shot or marquee matchup is within reach.
Elsewhere on the card, the event was a decision-heavy night, with 11 of 13 bouts going to the judges. Only the Grant-Martinetti contest stood out as an exception to an otherwise measured evening of action.
In injury news, light heavyweight contender Carlos Ulberg has revealed his recovery timeline following a recent injury is projected at six to eight months. The 35-year-old New Zealander, training out of City Kickboxing, holds a 15-1 record and is currently ranked third at light heavyweight. Standing six-foot-four at 193 cm with a 77-inch reach, "Black Jag" has been one of the division's most productive strikers, landing 6.54 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. A six-to-eight-month absence will push any return into late 2026 at the earliest.
Why it matters
- Sterling's callouts at featherweight could set up a high-profile 145-pound matchup given his fourth-place ranking
- A decision-dominated card leaves questions about divisional depth and matchmaking at featherweight
- Ulberg's extended absence opens the door for other light heavyweight contenders to leapfrog him in the rankings before he can return
