Fighters react to Aljamain Sterling beating Youssef Zalal at UFC Vegas 116

[ASFN Admin]

Aljamain Sterling continued to build a case toward a chance for a title in a second division when he turned back surging contender Youssef Zalal in the UFC Fight Night 274 main event.

Sterling (26-5 MMA, 18-5 UFC) has won two of three since moving up to featherweight with a unanimous decision victory over Zalal (18-6-1 MMA, 8-4-1 UFC) in Saturday's headlining matchup at Meta APEX in Las Vegas.

Check below for the top X (formerly Twitter) reactions to Sterling beating Zalal at UFC Fight Night 274.

Fighters react to Youssef Zalal's victory over Aljamain Sterling at UFC Vegas 116

Dressed for success @FunkmasterMMA & @TheMorocanDevil have arrived!

[ #UFCVegas116 | LIVE NOW on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/aYOTEPexhb

— UFC (@ufc) April 25, 2026

In the wings! Our #UFCVegas116 headliners getting the hands ready for battle!

Sterling vs Zalal | @Sportsnet & @TVASportspic.twitter.com/iB6zdQmVZs

— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) April 26, 2026

STERLING vs ZALAL! Who you got in our #UFCVegas116 main event?! pic.twitter.com/7xLdak6aU6

— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) April 26, 2026

Rad pic.twitter.com/jMVzvgBj1v

— RJ Clifford (@RJcliffordMMA) April 26, 2026

Sterling looking very sharp. 10-9 #UFCVegas116

— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) April 26, 2026

2-0 Aljo but man bro gotta stay focus them knees were close

— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) April 26, 2026

20-18 Aljo after two rounds

Solid performance so far

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) April 26, 2026

Not panicked at all. Great couple of rounds by these two warriors! #ufc

— Dustin Jacoby (@thehanyakdj) April 26, 2026

Damn Zalal really had Aljo panicking there for a second

— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) April 26, 2026

Zalal takes Round 3

29-28 Sterling #UFCVegas116

— Matthew Wells (@MrMWells) April 26, 2026

Round 4 is gonna be interesting

— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) April 26, 2026

Aljo’s body triangle is so hard to get out of

— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) April 26, 2026

10-8 comeback round for Sterling. That was complete dominance on the ground. Zalal looked like he went to sleep for a moment. #UFCVegas116

— Korean John (@KoreanJohn_) April 26, 2026

Aljo might the the top-5 all time fighter who looks like he's gonna gets KOd with every punch.

— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) April 26, 2026

Congratulations Movsar Evloev, the UFC cannot take your title shot away from you at this point.

— Jed Meshew II (@JedKMeshew) April 26, 2026

Makes u appreciate the grappling exchanges in the movsar vs aljo fight more

— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) April 26, 2026

Vintage performance from Aljamain Sterling. Don't count the former champ out — he's coming for the second belt at 145.#UFCVegas116 | @UFConPolymarketpic.twitter.com/f2pyqwPWau

— UFC on Polymarket (@UFConPolymarket) April 26, 2026

[ #UFCVegas116 | LIVE NOW on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/our8GXicZP

— UFC (@ufc) April 26, 2026

Aljo fight iq was incredible Zalal showed no quit tho

— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) April 26, 2026

#UFCVegas116 results: Aljamain Sterling def. Youssef Zalal via unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 49-45)

Full coverage https://t.co/Tgb4cfK91zpic.twitter.com/zeSuXh4M2c

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) April 26, 2026

Strong showing by Aljo. Featherweight is fairly open right now. One more W and he gets a crack at gold, imo https://t.co/WDRO4Gs2Wt

— Nolan King (@mma_kings) April 26, 2026

Aljo gets his hand raised #UFCVegas116

@paramountpluspic.twitter.com/mrVilK5C6O

— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) April 26, 2026

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC Vegas 116: Fighters react to Aljamain Sterling beating Youssef Zalal

Continue reading...