Aljamain Sterling delivered a masterclass in grappling, achieving one of the most commanding performances of his career against Youssef Zalal in the UFC Vegas 116 main event. Sterling’s exceptional control on the ground proved to be the deciding factor in his unanimous decision victory.
In the opening round, Sterling established his striking advantage, initiating exchanges that led to a crucial takedown. Once the fight hit the mat, Sterling maintained a suffocating control, effectively neutralizing Zalal and securing the first round on the judges’ scorecards.
The second round saw Sterling work to get Zalal to the canvas, and upon achieving the takedown, he swiftly transitioned to his opponent’s back. From there, Sterling unleashed a barrage of ground strikes. Despite Zalal’s attempts to escape, Sterling’s body triangle locked him in, allowing him to inflict damage and extend his lead to 2-0 after ten minutes.
The third round presented a brief challenge for Sterling when he initiated a takedown and found himself caught in a tight guillotine choke. Though he managed to escape the submission attempt, he momentarily surrendered top position to Zalal. ‘The Moroccan Devil’ capitalized on this opportunity, maintaining control and securing his first round of the fight.
Seemingly motivated by surrendering the third round, Sterling came out aggressively in the fourth. He quickly closed the distance, securing another takedown early in the round. Similar to the second, Sterling launched a series of strikes and then worked towards a rear-naked choke. Zalal had no effective response, leading to what many observers scored as a dominant 10-8 round for Sterling.
Knowing he needed a significant finish, Zalal pressed forward with aggression in the fifth and final round. However, his offensive surge was met by Sterling’s relentless takedown ability and control. Sterling once again secured Zalal’s back, continuing to land strikes and accumulate points. This consistent pressure ultimately sealed a decisive unanimous decision victory for Sterling.
Official Result: Aljamain Sterling def. Youssef Zalal via unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 49-45).
Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal – UFC Vegas 116 Highlights Recap
Aljamain Sterling demonstrated superior grappling skills, controlling the fight on the ground for significant portions. He secured multiple takedowns throughout the bout, using them to set up his offensive attacks and prevent Zalal from establishing his own rhythm. While Zalal had moments of success, particularly with a submission attempt in the third round, Sterling’s resilience and tactical prowess ultimately secured him a clear victory.
