Aljamain Sterling Wins Unanimous Decision Over Youssef Zalal at UFC Vegas 116: Full Results, Bonus Winners, Ryan Spann KO Highlights & Reactions

Aljamain Sterling secured a unanimous decision victory over Youssef Zalal in the main event of UFC Vegas 116, held at Meta APEX in Las Vegas on April 25, 2026, with all three judges scoring the fight 49-45 in his favor.

The win marked Sterling’s continued ascent in the featherweight division following his move from bantamweight, where he previously held the UFC championship. The performance was highlighted as a key step toward a future title opportunity by UFC officials and analysts covering the event.

On the preliminary card, Ryan Spann delivered a second-round knockout victory over Marcus Buchecha at 2:10, earning him a Performance of the Night bonus. The finish came via strikes after Spann overwhelmed Buchecha early in the round, marking one of the most decisive finishes of the night.

Jackson McVey submitted Sedriques Dumas via D’Arce choke in the first round at 2:14, another Performance of the Night recipient. The technique was executed cleanly after McVey secured dominant positioning following a takedown attempt.

Joselyne Edwards defeated Norma Dumont by unanimous decision in the co-main event, with two judges scoring it 29-28 and the third 30-27. The result was noted as an upset by several outlets covering the card, given Dumont’s higher ranking entering the fight.

Raoni Barcelos won a split decision over Montel Jackson, with scores of 29-28, 28-29, and 29-28. The bout was competitive throughout, with both fighters exchanging significant volume in the striking and grappling phases.

Four fighters received Performance of the Night bonuses: Ryan Spann, Jackson McVey, Rafa García, and Davey Grant. García secured a unanimous decision over Alexander Hernandez (29-28 x2, 30-27), while Grant defeated Adrian Luna Martinetti via unanimous decision (29-28 x3).

The event took place at the UFC APEX facility in Las Vegas, Nevada, as part of the UFC Fight Night series. All main card bouts went the distance except for Spann’s knockout, contributing to a night characterized by competitive, full-length contests across multiple weight classes.