UFC Vegas 116 Aljamain Sterling vs Youssef Zalal Main Card Preview, Odds, Watch Info & FAQ

Another exciting week of fights awaits us tonight as the UFC is bringing us a 13 fight card at UFC Vegas 116. The card will go down at the Apex and in the smaller cage as many fans await the next live event.

The card features many high level match ups from the preliminary to the main card. The top of the card will hold a lot of weight as 2 match ups with heavy title implications cap off the card.

A big featherweight match up of Youssef Zalal and Aljamain Sterling could determine the next title shot. An impressive win for either fighter could make a statement to become Volkanovskis next opponent.

The Co – Main also has title implications as 2 streaking womens bantamweight fighters will square off. Norma Dumont looks to cement her case for a title shot against streaking Joselyne Edwards.

It may be a card of lesser name value but it is sure to be a high level card none the less. The card kicks off in just a few hours so lets get right into a preview of the main card at UFC Vegas 116!

All odds presented by our Partner at LuckyRebel as of 4/25/2026 1:22 p.M

Check out the odds for the entire card at the best online sportsbooks available in the U.S.

Main Event: Aljamain Sterling vs Youssef Zalal Preview – Featherweight

A highly anticipated Featherweight match ups sits at the top of the card tonight. Top featherweights Youssef Zalal and Aljamain Sterling will face off in a 5 round bout that has massive implications on the division.

The featherweight division has become a real mess at the top, with many active contenders but nobody making a real case for the title shot. A decisive win for either prospect here could catapult them to the front of the line.

Sterling will provide a great test for the prospect Zalal. The former Bantamweight champion has put on impressive performances since joining the featherweight division.

On his 3 fight run Sterling has gone 2-1 and even given Evloev one of his toughest tests to date. It was once a question if Sterling would be able to wrestle at a high level at featherweight and I believe he answered that question rather quickly.

Since joining the division he has become the 7th ranked contender and on the heels of a huge bounce back victory. Sterling was able to get his grappling going and even showed flashes of good striking against the legendary Brian Ortega.

A big win over a surging contender like Zalal could make a statement in the division and prove hes a real contender. Zalal is no easy task as he is on a massive winning streak himself.

Will Sterling Make A Statement At Featherweight?

Now on his second stint with the UFC, Zalal was let go from the promotion in 2022. Joining the UFC at just 23 years old it is no surprise to me he struggled on his first run.

Zalal went 3-3-1 in his first run with the promotion, ending with a 3 fight losing streak and a draw. He went back to work on the regional scene to round out his game and hone in on his skills after being let go.

Since he has gone undefeated in 8 straight fights with an impressive finish rate. Zalal has finished 7 of those wins splitting between knockouts and submissions.

Due to Sterling's heavy wrestling style I believe it could present some submission opportunities for Zalal. Sterling will be a huge test for Zalal and most likely his toughest match up since signing back to the UFC.

Tonight will provide some context behind Zalal's well roundedness and a great opportunity for Sterling to assert himself in the division. Who Will come out on top?

Aljamain Sterling vs Youssef Zalal Odds:

• Moneyline: Aljamain Sterling (+120) vs Youssef Zalal (-140)
• Round Total: 4.5 Total Rounds – Over (-195) / Under (+170)
• Most Likely Method Of Victory: Youssef Zalal By Points (+160)

Co – Main Event: Norma Dumont vs Joselyne Edwards Preview – Women's Bantamweight

A very exciting womens bantamweight bout will lead us into the Main Event tonight. Streaking contenders Norma Dumont and Joselyne Edwards will square off with a possible title shot on the line.

Edwards has mad quite the turn in her career ripping off 4 straight wins in impressive fashion. On that run Joselyne has finished all 4 of those bouts, with 2 knockouts and 2 submissions.

A very impressive feat in woman's MMA as over 80% of womens MMA fights head to decision. Edwards did not have the best start to her career despite joining the UFC at just 24 years old.

Early on she was very much a 50/50 style fighter, often winning a fight just to lose her next fight. The prospect has been unable to keep momentum going in order to put together a good win streak.

Joselyne went 4-4 in her first 8 fights with the promotion. After a tough loss in 2024 to Ailin Perez, she became a much more aggressive fighter which has lead to this impressive streak.

The improvements to her game are glaring but her defensive grappling has not been tested since the Perez fight. Longtime UFC veteran and top contender Norma Dumont will be the perfect test for that takedown defense.

Will Dumont Earn A Title Shot?

Dumont is on quite the streak of her own winning 6 straight fights. The streak has been overshadowed by her not being able to entirely separate herself in fights.

The entire 6 fight winning streak has come by way of the judges score cards. That includes one split decision which she very narrowly won over Ketlan Vieira.

Dumont has put on very lack luster fights during this run and I believe she needs a decisive victory to prove she is a contender. Her striking is very questionable at times but her strongest asset is her grappling and wrestling.

This could provide a major problem for Dumont as her easiest path to victory is also her most boring. The Brazilian contender has to make a statement here with her hands to prove she is a top contender.

Norma Dumont vs Joselyne Edwards Odds:

• Moneyline: Norma Dumont (-190) vs Joselyne Edwards (+165)
• Round Total: 2.5 Total Rounds – Over (-450) / Under (+350)
• Most Likely Method Of Victory: Norma Dumont By Points (-160)

Rafa Garcia vs Alexander Hernandez Odds – Lightweight

• Moneyline: Rafa Garcia (-105) vs Alexander Hernandez (-115)
• Round Total: 2.5 Total Rounds – Over (-240) / Under (+200)
• Most Likely Method Of Victory: Alexander Hernandez By Points (+145)

Davey Grant vs Adrian Luna Martinetti Odds – Bantamweight

• Moneyline: Davey Grant (-123) vs Adrian Luna Martinetti (+103)
• Round Total: 2.5 Total Rounds – Over (-170) / Under (+149)
• Most Likely Method Of Victory: Davey Grant By Points (+225)

Montel Jackson vs Raoni Barcelos Odds – Bantamweight

• Moneyline: Montel Jackson (-190) vs Raoni Barcelos (+165)
• Round Total: 2.5 Total Rounds – Over (-175) / Under (+153)
• Most Likely Method Of Victory: Montel Jackson By Points (+165)

Marcus Buchecha vs Ryan Spann Odds – Heavyweight

• Moneyline: Marcus Buchecha (-150) vs Ryan Spann (+130)
• Round Total: 1.5 Total Rounds – Over (+130) / Under (-150)
• Most Likely Method Of Victory: Marcus Buchecha By Submission (+165)

UFC Vegas 116 Schedule & FAQ

When is UFC Vegas 116?

• UFC Vegas 116 will take place Saturday, April 24th, 2026.

Where is UFC Vegas 116?

• UFC Vegas 116 will go down live at the Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.

What time does UFC Vegas 116 start?

• UFC Vegas 116 Preliminary Card start time: 5 p.m. ET
• UFC Vegas 116 Main Card start time: 8 p.m. ET

How to Watch UFC Vegas 116?

• UFC Vegas 116 Preliminary Card Coverage: Paramount+
• UFC Vegas 116 Main Card Coverage: Paramount+

How to Bet on UFC Vegas 116?

• Most international and domestic sportsbooks will carry odds for a fight card of this caliber, but check out our best online sportsbooks here to see what Betting News recommends for a great UFC betting experience.