UFC Predictions: Fight Night Sterling vs Zalal

by Zak Drapeau and Matt Hylen

Sportz Nation - 4/24/2026

Graphic and Photo Credit to UFC via UFC.com

In our Fight Night Burns vs Malott Predictions which you can find here,

Zak went 3-3 in picks with 2 method for 5 points.

Matt went 4-2 in picks with 3 methods for 7 points.

Points To Date:

Zak: 71 (48-27)

Matt: 68 (46-29)

*All odds courtesy of Caesar's Sportsbook on 4/24

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

5Aljamain Sterling vs

7Youssef Zalal

(Zalal - 130)

Zak Drapeau -

This fight should determine who gets to fight Umar for the next shot at the 135-title. Sterling-Zalal should be a grappling contest as well, with Zalal always looking for submissions and Sterling being one of the best wrestlers in the business.

I like Sterling a lot for the matchup as a much more seasoned wrestler, and with Zalal not having fared well against better fighters in the past, especially wrestlers. Zalal might be younger and an up-and-comer, but Sterling is MUCH more experienced.

Prediction: Sterling by Decision

Matt Hylen -

This fight should honestly be a pick 'em. I view both Aljamain Sterling and Youssef Zalal around the same in terms of talent level and overall skill, which makes this fight extremely interesting.

With Sterling, the fact he is an experienced former champion will give him the advantage in this fight. He has fought much more difficult opponents than Zalal in his career, but has yet to really prove himself within this new weight class. With Sterling being Zalal's first elite opponent of his career, Sterling's confidence and experience should give him an advantage.

However, Youssef Zalal is a legitimate talent in this division. He is the younger and hungrier fighter, which is always dangerous inside the octagon. Sterling also lost to the last grappler he fought as well, which brings up the question of whether or not he can hang with elite grapplers. Zalal is most certainly an elite grappler and more dangerous on the ground, which makes things enticing.

All that said, I think experience will reign supreme in this fight. Sterling is at the point of his career where he understands what he needs to do to win fights, which I think is what we see on Saturday.

Prediction: Sterling by Decision

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

3Norma Dumont vs

11Joselyne Edwards

(Dumont -205)

Zak Drapeau -

Joselyne Edwards is the hottest prospect in the hottest women's division of the UFC, and only 2 months after she dismantled Nora Cornolle, she has her eyes set on the top 3. Norma Dumont is not only next in line for Harrison's title after the expected Nunes fight, but has won 6 fights in a row in decisive fashion.

Dumont is completely well-rounded and always goes after her opponents' weaknesses. Using wrestling or dirty boxing and always going to a decision, Dumont will likely look to control Edwards in the clinch or on the ground to neutralize the challenger, but I just have a feeling Edwards is going to be ready not only to put her away but to put on a show while she does it.

Prediction: Edwards by Submission

Matt Hylen -

Another super fun fight that I think could go either way. With Norma Dumont on a massive winning streak and Joselyne Edwards on a nice finishing streak of her own, I do think this will finish inside the distance.

Similar to the main event, Norma Dumont has much more experience against very good opponents. Though she is a bit of a decision merchant, Dumont is a very balanced fighter who has no problem staying on the feet or taking the fight to the ground. Her balance and defensive ability, on top of her experience, are what I think give Dumont an advantage.

For Edwards, after a handful of decision fights in a row, she all of a sudden became an elite finisher out of nowhere. She has turned herself into one of the most dangerous fighters in the division with very solid power and submission ability. She is the more dangerous fighter than Dumont everywhere the fight goes, but she has still not proven herself against the elite.

Again, like the main event, I think I am going with experience over youth in this fight. Dumont has been waiting for her shot at a title for a long time now, as she's cemented herself as a top contender for years. I expect her to overwhelm Edwards, giving her no opportunities to find combinations.

Prediction: Dumont by Decision

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Rafa Garcia vs

Alexander Hernandez

(Hernandez -135)

Zak Drapeau -

This fight is a ranked fight-eliminator at 155 and would have to be my pick for fight of the night. I think both of these guys will be looking for a knockout. Both Garcia and Hernandez have good wrestling that I believe will be used as a buffer to keep the fight standing.

As long as this fight turns into a striking battle, I believe Hernandez puts the pressure on and finishes it in the 2nd. Not only the bigger fighter, Hernandez is also coming off 2 straight knockouts and will be looking for the hat trick.

Prediction: Hernandez by TKO/KO

Matt Hylen -

As Zak said, the winner of this fight should absolutely get someone in the top-15 next, making the stakes extremely high for both Rafa Garcia and Alexander Hernandez. While Garcia definitely possesses the better grappling and overall ground game, Hernandez has fended off grapplers before and weathered the storm.

I think Hernandez's severe advantage on the feet will get to Garcia and end the fight within the distance. Hernandez's grappling ability is good enough as well, which should allow the fight to stay on the feet and benefit Hernandez immensely.

Prediction: Hernandez by TKO/KO

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

14Montel Jackson vs

Raoni Barcelos

(Jackson -185)

Zak Drapeau -

Montel Jackson is HUGE for 135, and Raoni Barcelos is one of the most battle-tested fighters in the division, so this fight is all about brains versus brawn.

While both of these men are exceptional kickboxers, I think that Jackson will use his youth and wrestling edge to keep himself within Barcelos' range and likely use grappling to win on points. Jackson may have an 8" reach advantage, but Barcelos is dangerous no matter who he faces.

Prediction: Jackson by Decision

Matt Hylen -

This fight is a huge clash of styles that could propel the winner into top 10 contention next. If this fight stays standing, Montel Jackson should dominate. Jackson is younger and is a much more dangerous fighter on the feet, even though Raoni Barcelos is not too bad with his striking.

With that said, Barcelos' resume lately is absolutely elite; he has held his own against very good opponents and has out grappled all of them. He has more momentum than Jackson, who also just lost to a grappler his last time out. I think this fight is Barcelos' to lose despite being the older fighter.

Prediction: Barcelos by Decision

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Marcus Buchecha vs

Ryan Spann

(Buchecha -140)

Zak Drapeau -

This fight may be the most unpredictable fight I've seen in 2026. Spann is more experienced, but I'd have to say Buchecha is a little more dangerous. Spann is bigger, but Buchecha has a prestigious jiu-jitsu background.

Buchecha hasn't won in the UFC yet, but is probably fighting his "easiest fight" yet against Spann. At only 5-2-1 in his MMA career, I think Buchecha has a lot to give in this sport, and if he can get this fight to the ground, I have to believe he can finish Spann, who seems to have one foot out the door in his MMA career anyway.

Prediction: Buchecha by Submission

Matt Hylen -

I have to agree with Zak; this fight is as 50-50 as they have come so far this year. In my opinion, this fight all depends on where it stays. Marcus Buchecha has his advantage on the ground; his ground game and BJJ could be overwhelming for a guy like Ryan Spann, who is not known for his fight IQ.

As for Spann, he hits like a truck and has much more experience than Buchecha, which absolutely matters. Though Buchecha is better overall, Spann is no slouch on the ground as he has two submission wins since moving up to heavyweight. I think Buchecha's lack of toughness and ability to take a hit gives Spann the ability to beat him up before he even has a chance to take things to the ground.

Prediction: Spann by TKO/KO

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

12Mayra Bueno Silva vs

Michelle Montague

(Montague -440)

Zak Drapeau -

This may be disrespectful, but Bueno Silva has to go. Her last win was over 3 years ago, and her last win against a ranked opponent was in 2018. Meanwhile, Michelle Montague is a fresh face in the Bantamweight division and is undefeated, with all 6 of her non-UFC wins coming by rear-naked choke.

Prediction: Montague by Submission

Matt Hylen -

To keep things simple, I could not agree more with Zak. With all due respect, Mayra Bueno Silva is a fight away from being cut by the UFC and holds no advantage over a riser like Michelle Montague. Montague has the momentum coming in and should be able to use her style to crush Bueno Silva anywhere the fight goes.

Prediction: Montague by Decision

Check out fansonlysportz.com/news for more sports media content posted daily.

Make sure to stay tuned as we continue coverage of the UFC every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

-Z.D. (@DrapeauZak)

-Matt Hylen (@matthylen_)