What are the predictions for UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal?

Our AI model favors Sterling based on his wrestling pedigree, volume striking, and championship experience. Zalal's submission game creates real threat on the mat. The card also features Jackson vs. Barcelos at bantamweight and Bueno Silva vs. Montague at flyweight with potential underdog value.

UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal — Las Vegas

Q: What is UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal?

UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal is a 9-fight MMA event on April 25, 2026, at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas. Former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling (25-5, 17-5 UFC) headlines against submission specialist Youssef Zalal (18-5-1, 8-3-1 UFC) in a featherweight main event on Paramount+ at 4:00 PM ET.

Q: How to watch UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal and what time does it start?

UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal airs on Paramount+ on Friday, April 25, 2026. The main card starts at 4:00 PM ET (1:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM BST). The event is held at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Saturday, April 25, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Meta APEX

⚡ Upcoming Event12 Fights🏆 0 Title Fights

Main Card: Paramount+

Prelims: Paramount+

Start Time: 4:00 PM ET

Start Time by Timezone

Times are estimated; Early Prelims ~2h, Prelims ~2h, Main Card ~2h. Subject to change.

PT (Local)

Las Vegas (PT shown)

Early

2:00 PM

Prelims

3:00 PM

Main

5:00 PM

Eastern US/Canada

Early

5:00 PM

Prelims

6:00 PM

Main

8:00 PM

BST

United Kingdom / Ireland

Early

10:00 PM

Prelims

11:00 PM

Main

1:00 AM (Sun)

CET

Central Europe

Early

11:00 PM

Prelims

12:00 AM (Sun)

Main

2:00 AM (Sun)

AEST

Australia (East)

Early

9:00 AM (Sun)

Prelims

10:00 AM (Sun)

Main

12:00 PM (Sun)

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UFC Fight Night Las Vegas: Full Card Analytics & Predictions

UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal — Meta APEX, Las Vegas — April 25, 2026

Former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling (25-5, 17-5 UFC) moves up to 145 pounds — and immediately runs into one of the division's most dangerous submission threats in Youssef Zalal (18-5-1, 8-3-1 UFC). Sterling's 22 UFC appearances are built on wrestling dominance: 59% of his wins by decision, 24% by submission, only 12% by KO/TKO. Zalal is the mirror opposite — half his UFC wins come by submission, half by decision, and all three losses by decision. The question isn't whether this goes to the ground. It's who controls it when it gets there. Paramount+ at 4:00 PM ET.

AI-powered analytics cover every fight on the 9-fight card with model probabilities vs. market odds and value-bet flags. Jackson vs. Barcelos at bantamweight and Bueno Silva vs. Montague at flyweight are the undercard matchups to circle.

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What is UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal?

UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal is an MMA event on April 25, 2026, at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas. The storyline is compelling: former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling (25-5, 17-5 UFC) moves up to featherweight looking to prove he can compete with the bigger 145-pounders. Youssef Zalal (18-5-1, 8-3-1 UFC) stands in his way with one of the division's most active submission games — four UFC tap-outs and counting. Sterling's wrestling pedigree versus Zalal's back-take threat makes the mat exchanges must-watch. The 9-fight card airs on Paramount+ starting at 4:00 PM ET.

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What are the predictions for Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal?

Our model favors Sterling in the main event — his wrestling pedigree, volume striking, and championship composure are hard to bet against. But here's the caveat: Zalal's submission game off his back creates genuine danger every time Sterling takes this fight to the mat. It's the rare matchup where the wrestler might actually prefer to keep it standing. Jackson vs. Barcelos at bantamweight projects as a close, high-output striking battle worth watching, and Bueno Silva vs. Montague at flyweight is a grappling showcase where our model sees underdog value. Every fight includes model probabilities vs. market odds and method-of-victory projections.

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How to watch UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal and what time does it start?

UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal takes place Friday, April 25, 2026. Main card at 4:00 PM ET (1:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM BST / 6:00 AM AEST Saturday) on Paramount+. Prelims start roughly two hours earlier, also on Paramount+. The Meta APEX in Las Vegas hosts this intimate 9-fight card.

Main Event — Featherweight

Sterling vs. Zalal

Sterling's wrestling-heavy approach meets Zalal's dangerous submission game in a grappling chess match. Sterling's 17 UFC wins are built on elite control time, but Zalal's 4 submission victories mean every scramble carries risk.

Bantamweight

Jackson vs. Barcelos

Two experienced bantamweights with a combined 19 UFC bouts — this has fight-of-the-night written all over it. Jackson's range striking against Barcelos's pressure-heavy output should produce fireworks.

Flyweight

Bueno Silva vs. Montague

Bueno Silva is a BJJ black belt making her flyweight debut after cutting from bantamweight. Montague is a rising prospect — our model sees potential value on the underdog line.

📊Analysis Reliability Framework

Our analytical model considers UFC experience as one of several factors for optimal predictions. While we can analyze any fight, fighters with 5+ UFC bouts provide more comprehensive data for our statistical modeling. This doesn't diminish the quality of our analysis for newer fighters - it's simply one criterion we factor into our confidence assessments.

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High Risk (**)

<3 UFC Bouts

Limited UFC data available. Analysis relies more heavily on external sources and pre-UFC performance patterns.

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Moderate Risk (*)

3-4 UFC Bouts

Meaningful UFC sample size with good analytical foundation. Reliable insights with solid confidence levels.

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Optimal Data

5+ UFC Bouts

Comprehensive statistical foundation enabling highest confidence analysis and predictive accuracy.

Note: All fights receive thorough analysis regardless of UFC experience levels. This framework simply helps calibrate confidence in our predictions.

UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal Fights, Analytics & Predictions

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We display the best available odds for each fighter to maximize value. Preference is given to BetOnline when available; otherwise, we select the highest‑value line and show the sportsbook and implied probability (I.P %).

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Model Probabilities vs Market Odds Summary

Fight	Fighter A	Model Prob A	Market Odds A	Implied Prob A	Fighter B	Model Prob B	Market Odds B	Implied Prob B	Value
Sterling vs Zalal🟢	Aljamain Sterling	42.0%	N/A	—	Youssef Zalal	58.0%	N/A	—	Zalal +58.0%Sterling: Wrestling control and championship experience. Zalal: Elite submission game and momentum advantage.
Vieira vs McConico🟡	Rodolfo Vieira	65.0%	N/A	—	Eric McConico	35.0%	N/A	—	Vieira +65.0%Vieira: Elite grappling and submission threat in small cage. McConico: Reach advantage and KO power if fight stays standing.
Jackson vs Barcelos🟢	Montel Jackson	55.0%	N/A	—	Raoni Barcelos	45.0%	N/A	—	Jackson +55.0%Jackson: Wrestling control and damage economy in small cage.
Dumont vs Edwards🟢	Norma Dumont	57.0%	N/A	—	Joselyne Edwards	43.0%	N/A	—	Dumont +57.0%Dumont: Superior defense and cardio over 3 rounds. Edwards: Early KO equity via power and aggression.
Filho vs Durden🟢	Jafel Filho	55.0%	N/A	—	Cody Durden	45.0%	N/A	—	Filho +55.0%Filho: Submission specialist with elite grappling. Durden: Wrestling volume and takedown pressure.
Dumas vs McVey🟡	Sedriques Dumas	58.0%	N/A	—	Jackson McVey	42.0%	N/A	—	Dumas +58.0%Dumas: UFC experience and defensive efficiency. McVey: Early submission or TKO finish.
García vs Hernandez🟢	Rafa García	55.0%	N/A	—	Alexander Hernandez	45.0%	N/A	—	García +55.0%García: Grappling dominance and submission threat. Hernandez: Knockout power and striking volume advantage.
Alencar vs Polastri🟡	Talita Alencar	43.0%	N/A	—	Julia Polastri	57.0%	N/A	—	Polastri +57.0%Talita: BJJ expertise and submission threat. Polastri: Power striking and early finish equity.
Buchecha vs Spann🟡	Marcus Buchecha	50.0%	N/A	—	Ryan Spann	50.0%	N/A	—	Spann +50.0%

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UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal — Las Vegas

UFC Fight Night Las Vegas: Full Card Analytics & Predictions

What is UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal?

What are the predictions for Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal?

How to watch UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal and what time does it start?

📊Analysis Reliability Framework

UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal Fights, Analytics & Predictions

Aljamain Sterling

Youssef Zalal

Rodolfo Vieira

Eric McConico

Montel Jackson

Raoni Barcelos

Norma Dumont

Joselyne Edwards

Jafel Filho

Cody Durden

Mayra Bueno Silva

Michelle Montague

Sedriques Dumas

Jackson McVey

Davey Grant

Adrian Luna Martinetti

Rafa García

Alexander Hernandez

Talita Alencar

Julia Polastri

Marcus Buchecha

Ryan Spann

Max Griffin

Victor Valenzuela

Model Probabilities vs Market Odds Summary

Event Discussion

THE FUTURE OFCOMBAT SPORTS ANALYTICS

THE FUTURE OF
COMBAT SPORTS ANALYTICS