Aljamain Sterling delivered one of the dominant performances of his profession, defeating Youssef Zalal within the UFC Vegas 116 principal occasion on Saturday night time.
Sterling appeared good within the opening spherical, utilizing his putting to work his approach inside and safe the primary takedown of the combat. As soon as he had his man on the mat, Sterling maintained management of the motion, banking spherical one on the scorecards.
It took a bit longer for Sterling to get Zalal on the mat in spherical two, however as soon as he received him down, the ‘Funk Grasp’ instantly took his opponent’s again and unleashed a flurry of floor strikes that pressured Zalal to scramble. With the physique triangle locked in, Zalal might do little to cease the onslaught, permitting Sterling to go up 2-0 after 10 minutes.
Sterling shot in for an early takedown within the third and instantly discovered himself in a good guillotine choke. After just a few moments, Sterling fought his approach out of the maintain, however not with out giving up prime management to Zalal.
‘The Moroccan Satan’ by no means relinquished management, banking his first spherical of the combat.
Maybe feeling a bit pissed off after surrendering the third to Zalal, Sterling got here out and instantly punched his approach inside earlier than securing one more takedown early within the fourth. Simply as he did within the second, Sterling unleashed a sequence of strikes earlier than engaged on a rear-naked choke.
Zalal had completely no reply as Sterling delivered what could very properly have been a 10-8 spherical.
Understanding he would want a end, Zalal got here out aggressive within the fifth and closing spherical, however his ahead stress did nothing to cease Sterling from taking him down and taking his again but once more.
As soon as there, Sterling continued to bust up his opponent with strikes, racking up factors and securing a decisive determination victory.
Official Consequence: Aljamain Sterling def. Youssef Zalal through unanimous determination (49-45, 49-45, 49-45).
Verify Out Highlights From Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal at UFC Vegas 116:
