Youssef Zalal is targeting a statement victory when he meets Aljamain Sterling in the featherweight main event of UFC Fight Night 274 at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas.
The matchup marks Zalal's first UFC headliner and his first five-round fight in the promotion. Since returning to the UFC in February 2024, Zalal has gone 5-0 with four submission wins, and he now collides with a fighter who, according to the article, has never been submitted or choked unconscious in his MMA career.
Zalal acknowledged the challenges of the small cage at the Meta APEX, saying, "I think (the small cage) probably gives him more an advantage than anything," but he remains confident in his ability to find openings. "With me, you better bring your A-game and your best chess game and everything. If you don't, I will find an opportunity to find my finish and an opportunity to pick you apart for five rounds."
Chasing history is also on Zalal's mind as he pursues the all-time featherweight submission record associated with Charles Oliveira. "Two more and I get to tie (Oliveira) for most submissions in featherweight history," Zalal said, adding that submitting Sterling would be especially meaningful: "Nobody ever submitted Aljamain Sterling. Nobody in his whole career."
Looking ahead, Zalal framed UFC Fight Night 274 as a step toward gold. "I think I'll let my performance speak for me, and I can't wait to do that and obviously chase the world title. I always said once I get back that I will be a world champion. And I will be a world champion."
