Aljamain Sterling isn’t just fighting for another win he’s fighting for legacy. The former bantamweight champion returns Saturday in the main event of UFC Fight Night 274 at UFC APEX, where he faces surging contender Youssef Zalal with a clear goal in mind: earn a shot at the featherweight title.
Sterling (25-5 MMA, 17-5 UFC) has already accomplished plenty in his career, but one major milestone still drives him joining the elite group of fighters to win UFC titles in multiple weight classes.
With current featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski yet to announce his next defense, Sterling sees an opening. “If I go out there and do what I’m supposed to do in impressive fashion, I think there’s an argument to grant me the title shot,” Sterling said.
Still Making His Case
Sterling enters the bout confident, especially after a closely contested loss to Movsar Evloev that many believed could have gone his way. “A lot of people thought I won that fight… I should have had that man’s ‘0,’” Sterling said.
Now, he believes a dominant performance over a rising contender could solidify his position at the front of the line. “I want to earn my keep. I’m not asking for a handout… don’t forget about me.”
Standing in his way is one of the division’s hottest names. Zalal (18-5-1 MMA, 8-3-1 UFC) has been on a tear since returning to the Octagon in 2024, going 5-0 and building momentum with a 98-second submission win over Josh Emmett. At 29, Zalal represents the new wave of featherweights skilled, confident, and hungry.
The Game Plan: Pressure and Control
Sterling, 36, plans to lean into what made him a champion relentless grappling. “I’m going to straight Gamrot-style this,” he said, referencing Mateusz Gamrot’s pressure-heavy approach. “I hope he’s ready to grapple for 25 minutes or less.”
Sterling is predicting a finish and aiming to do something no one else has done. “I believe I’m going to be the first one to finish Youssef… get on his back and do what I do best.”
The stakes couldn’t be clearer:
- Win impressively potential title shot vs. Volkanovski
- Lose fall back in a stacked featherweight division
For Sterling, it’s a defining moment at this stage of his career.
One Last Climb
A win Saturday wouldn’t just keep Sterling relevant it could launch him into one of the biggest fights of his career. A second belt. A shot at another legend. A place in UFC history. Now, it all comes down to Saturday night.
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