Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling called for a featherweight title shot against Alexander Volkanovski following a dominant performance at UFC Vegas 116 in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Sterling secured a unanimous decision victory over Youssef Zalal, with judges scoring the bout 49-45, 49-45, and 49-45. According to aljazeera.com, the former champion controlled the 25-minute contest, finding an opening late in the second round and attempting several submissions, including a rear-naked choke attempt in the fourth round.
With a professional MMA record of 26-5, Sterling used the post-fight interview to issue a direct warning to the current featherweight king. “Volkanovski, you know I’m coming,” Sterling said, according to the report.
Results from the main card
The win snapped Zalal's eight-fight unbeaten streak. The Moroccan fighter, who holds an 18-6-1 MMA record, remained composed after the loss. “I’ve come back before, and I can come back again,” Zalal said, according to aljazeera.com.
In the co-main event, Panamanian contender Joselyne Edwards moved closer to a title shot by defeating Brazil's Norma Dumont via unanimous decision. The judges scored the bout 29-28, 29-28, and 30-27, extending Edwards' winning streak to five fights.
Mexico's Rafa Garcia also secured a victory in the lightweight division, halting Alexander Hernandez's four-fight win streak. Garcia earned a unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) by maintaining a high striking volume throughout the fight.
At bantamweight, England's Davey Grant defeated UFC debutant Adrian Luna Martinetti via unanimous decision. The bout was described as an entertaining all-around affair, with scores of 29-28 across all three cards.
Brazil’s Raoni Barcelos earned a split-decision win over Montel Jackson, with scores of 29-28, 28-29, and 29-28. The victory extended Barcelos' winning streak to five fights.
Opening the main card, heavyweight Ryan Spann provided the night's only finish. Spann knocked out Brazil's Marcus Buchecha with a right hand at 2:10 of the second round.
