At 36, for any professional fighter, the obvious question is: have they still got it? But when it comes to Aljamain Sterling, he has answered those queries with results. After dominating the bantamweight division, he moved to featherweight and made a statement win over Calvin Kattar. His second fight, against the then top-ranked and undefeated contender Movsar Evloev, could have gone either way. He took the loss, but bounced back strongly with a win over Brian Ortega in his last outing.
From Bantamweight King to Featherweight Contender
As he prepares to face the 29-year-old Youssef Zalal at UFC Fight Night on April 25, 2026, the question is no longer whether he can go the distance with a younger opponent, but whether he has enough runway left to achieve what he is chasing - becoming a two-division UFC champion in the latter half of his career. Sterling is currently ranked fifth at featherweight with a professional record of 25-5, including eight submission victories and three title defences. Zalal, ranked seventh, is riding an eight-fight winning streak. In that context, this could be the defining bout of Sterling's second act.
"I think the results speak for themselves. I think the featherweight move was the right call," Sterling tells timesofindia.com. "I probably should have moved up a little earlier, but I had some work to finish in the bantamweight division. This fight is about getting one step closer to a world title again. It's about making history and cementing my legacy in the sport." "If I can go out there and look good beating a tough guy like Youssef Zalal, a young, hungry, up-and-coming fighter on a strong win streak and full of confidence. I think I'd be a hard guy to deny," he adds.
The Evloev Fight: A Loss That Validated Belief
Sterling held the UFC bantamweight title for over two years, making three consecutive defences against Petr Yan, TJ Dillashaw, and Henry Cejudo. He lost the belt to Sean O'Malley at UFC 292 in 2023 before moving up a division and beginning with a solid win over Kattar. However, the pivotal moment in Sterling's featherweight journey came in the Evloev fight. Despite the loss, it reinforced his belief that he belongs among the elite.
"That loss taught me I'm one of the best guys in the division, hands down. A lot of people thought I won that fight. I thought I won that fight. It let me know I'm right there. With that said, it shows I'm in a good position, still doing the right things, and still one of the top dogs in this sport," says Sterling.
After a 50-45 decision win over Ortega - his only fight of 2025 - Sterling entered 2026 hoping for activity, having told MMA Junkie he did not want to be 'iced' again. He had been training since December, preparing for a February bout that never materialised, before Zalal was confirmed for April 25. "The shorter camp doesn't matter to me because I've been training since December, hoping to fight in February. Things got pulled in different directions regarding the timing, but we finally got a fight. It's finally here. It's been a good camp. I feel good overall. I don't think anybody gets through a fight camp without injuries or bumps and bruises, so what I'm feeling right now is pretty normal. I'm just excited to get out there, make weight, and compete."
Zalal Test: Youth, Momentum and Risk
Zalal, however, arrives with momentum, having won five straight in the UFC - four by submission - including a dominant 98-second armbar win over Josh Emmett at UFC 320 in October 2025. He is - by all standards - a legitimate threat. "The most dangerous thing he has is his calf kicks. Of course, he has a good jab, but a jab is a jab. An effective calf kick goes further, does more damage, and can change someone's entire game. Some fighters can absorb shots to the face, but when you take away the legs, it becomes a very different fight. I've just got to get my hands on him. If I do, I think it'll be a good night for the Funkmaster. That's the plan - go out there, backpack him, do what I do best, and lock in a submission," says a confident Sterling.
Despite his title ambitions, Sterling remains measured in his approach. "I'm taking it one fight at a time. Of course I want to fight for the world title again, but I believe Movsar is next in line. If something changes, I'm ready. For now, I've just got to do my job on April 25, and the rest will take care of itself."
Watch UFC Fight Night - Sterling vs. Zalal on 26th April 2026 from 5:30 AM IST live on Sony Sports Ten 2 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD (Hindi), Sony Sports Ten 4 SD (Tamil, Telugu & Kannada). Stay updated with the latest IPL Live Score, IPL news on Times of India. Follow the IPL Schedule, check the IPL Points Table, and track the race for the IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple Cap.
