Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to Las Vegas with a compelling featherweight showdown as former champion Aljamain Sterling faces rising contender Youssef Zalal in the main event of UFC Vegas 116: Sterling vs Zalal on Saturday, April 25.
The event will take place at the UFC’s Apex facility and stream live on Paramount+. Preliminary bouts begin at 2 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. ET, followed by the main card at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET.
The card also features a high-stakes women’s bantamweight clash between top contender Norma Dumont and Panama’s surging finisher Joselyne Edwards.
Aljamain Sterling Looks to Make Statement at Featherweight
Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling (25-5) returns for his first fight of the 2026 season determined to reestablish himself among the elite.
The Uniondale, New York native built a championship legacy at 135 pounds, defeating elite names such as Henry Cejudo, T.J. Dillashaw and Brian Ortega during his title run.
Now competing at featherweight, Sterling hopes a decisive win over Zalal will move him closer to becoming a two-division UFC champion.
Youssef Zalal Seeks Career-Defining Victory
Morocco’s Youssef Zalal (18-5-1) enters the bout with significant momentum and an opportunity to secure the biggest victory of his career.
Fighting out of Englewood, Colorado, Zalal has earned his ranking with impressive performances against top competition, including victories over Josh Emmett, Calvin Kattar and Jack Shore.
A win over a former champion like Sterling could catapult Zalal firmly into the featherweight title conversation.
Norma Dumont Faces Joselyne Edwards in Key Bantamweight Clash
In the co-feature bout, No. 3 ranked bantamweight Norma Dumont (13-2) aims to strengthen her position near the top of the division.
The Brazilian standout has secured victories over notable fighters such as Germaine de Randamie, Irene Aldana and Ketlen Vieira.
Standing across the cage will be No. 11 ranked contender Joselyne Edwards (17-6), who enters the fight riding a four-fight win streak with finishes over Nora Cornolle, Priscila Cachoeira and Chelsea Chandler.
Edwards hopes another highlight victory will push her into the bantamweight Top 5.
Additional Fights Announced for UFC Fight Night Card
Several intriguing matchups round out the event lineup:
- Talita Alencar vs Julia Polastri – Strawweight bout between Dana White’s Contender Series alumni
- Rodolfo Vieira vs Eric McConico – Middleweight matchup
- Jafel Filho vs Lucas Rocha – Flyweight clash
- No. 14 ranked Montel Jackson vs Raoni Barcelos – Bantamweight bout
- No. 12 ranked Mayra Bueno Silva vs Michelle Montague – Women’s bantamweight showdown
- Allen Frye Jr. vs Max Gimenis – Heavyweight battle
- Davey Grant vs Adrian Luna Martinetti – Bantamweight matchup
- Jackson McVey vs Sedriques Dumas – Middleweight bout
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, and Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and is also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer. He’s also the main photographer for the 4CornersMafia Car Club.
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