Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal Prediction, Betting Pick, Latest UFC Odds for Saturday, April 25th
Youssef Zalal is looking to take out former UFC Champion Aljamain Sterling, and is slightly favored to do so on Saturday night in Las Vegas. Can Zalal emerge victorious over the skilled veteran? Let's take a look at this Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal prediction in the main event on April 25th.
Peter Alexis - April 25, 2026, 9:15 PM EDT
4 Minute ReadAljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal Prediction: Can Zalal Take Down Former Champ on Saturday Night in Las Vegas?
Aljamain Sterling and Youssef Zalal headline UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal on Saturday, April 25, with the main card beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET and the main event expected around 10:45 p.m. ET. Zalal enters as a slight favorite at around -135, which says a lot about where both fighters are in 2026.
This matchup feels like a classic crossroads fight. Sterling is the proven veteran and former champion trying to show he still belongs at the top, while Zalal is the younger, hotter fighter at 29 pushing to turn momentum into a real title conversation. Sterling is now 36, and that age gap is a major part of why the market is leaning toward the fresher fighter in a five-round main event.
Looking for advanced AI predictions and props to enhance your betting? Try out oddschecker+ now on this limited time 7-day free trial!
Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal Odds
- Moneyline: Sterling (+115), Zalal (-130)
Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: Saturday, April 25th, 2026
- Time: 10:45 PM ET (Estimated Fight Time)
- Where to Watch: Paramount+
Click here for complete Sterling vs. Zalal odds
Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal Prediction
Sterling still deserves respect because of the résumé alone. He enters at 24-6 and remains one of the smartest tactical fighters in the division, but his recent activity has been spotty and his aura is not what it once was at bantamweight. He moved up to featherweight after the Sean O’Malley loss, beat Calvin Kattar in his divisional debut, then dropped a decision to Movsar Evloev, which left him needing a strong rebound here.
Zalal comes in with far more momentum. He is 17-5-1 and has won six straight, including a breakout 2025 stretch that reestablished him as a serious UFC factor after his earlier run in the promotion had stalled. His style has also matured, with sharper striking, more confidence in exchanges, and enough grappling awareness to make this a difficult matchup for an older Sterling who can no longer rely on pure pace and top control to overwhelm people.
The biggest edge for Zalal is that he looks like the fighter still climbing. Sterling can absolutely make this ugly and competitive with veteran craft, but over five rounds the younger legs, cleaner recent form, and stronger activity trend are hard to ignore. If Zalal keeps this fight at a pace that forces Sterling to react rather than dictate, the veteran could spend long stretches getting beaten to the better moments.
Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal Pick
- Pick: Youssef Zalal Moneyline (-130) Check out these best odds at FanDuel Sportsbook
Sterling is live on experience alone, but Zalal feels like the right side in 2026. He is younger, hotter, more active, and better positioned to handle the demands of a main event against a former champion who appears to be past his peak.
MMA ODDS & PICKS
Affiliate Disclosure.
We are not a gambling or betting operator, but we receive a commission from these companies when we advertise their brands and refer customers to them (affiliate marketing). We provide information, odds information and links to websites of these companies. Some of the information made available on our site may be positioned as a result of a commission paid to us by a third party. We do not take or place bets/transactions and any information on Our Products is provided for entertainment purposes only.
