Aljamain Sterling Wins Fight at UFC Vegas 116 (CEFR Compare)

Apr 26, 2026, 18:40

Aljamain Sterling Wins Fight at UFC Vegas 116

Introduction

On April 25, 2026, the UFC had a big event in Las Vegas. Aljamain Sterling fought Youssef Zalal in the main fight.

Main Body

Aljamain Sterling won the fight. Three judges agreed he was the winner. Sterling pushed Zalal to the ground many times. He held Zalal on the floor for a long time. Zalal fought well in the third round. He tried to stop Sterling from breathing. But he did not win. Now, Sterling wants to fight for the championship belt. Other fighters also won. Joselyne Edwards won her fight. Ryan Spann won his fight with a fast hit. Jackson McVey won his fight with a choke. These two men got extra money for their great work.

Conclusion

Aljamain Sterling is now a top fighter in his group. Most fights in this event ended with a judge's decision.

Vocabulary Learning

breath (n.)

the air you take in / breath呼吸

Example:He struggled to catch his breath.

fight (v.)

to engage in combat / to fight戰鬥；打鬥

Example:They will fight in the competition.

ground (n.)

the earth's surface / ground地面

Example:He was pushed to the ground.

judge (n.)

person who decides a case / a judge法官

Example:The judge decided the match.

round (n.)

a cycle of fighting / round回合

Example:The third round was exciting.

Sentence Learning

But he did not win.

Connector: The word 'but' introduces a contrast or opposition between two ideas.連接詞: 'but' 一詞用於表示兩個想法之間的對比或相反。

Now, Sterling wants to fight for the championship belt.

Time: The word 'now' indicates that the action is happening at the present moment.時間: 'now' 一詞表示動作正在現在發生。

He held Zalal on the floor for a long time.

Prepositional: 'on the floor' shows where the action took place; 'for a long time' indicates the duration.介詞片語: 'on the floor' 指示動作發生的地方；'for a long time' 指示時間長度。

Zalal fought well in the third round.

Prepositional: 'in the third round' tells when the action happened.介詞片語: 'in the third round' 表示動作發生的時間。

Ryan Spann won his fight with a fast hit.

Prepositional: 'with a fast hit' explains the method or instrument used.介詞片語: 'with a fast hit' 說明勝利的方式或使用的手段。

Aljamain Sterling Wins by Unanimous Decision Against Youssef Zalal at UFC Vegas 116

Introduction

On April 25, 2026, the Ultimate Fighting Championship held the Vegas 116 event at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main event featured a featherweight fight between former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling and ranked contender Youssef Zalal.

Main Body

Aljamain Sterling won the main event by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the fight 49-45. Sterling focused on a grappling strategy, using several takedowns and controlling his opponent's back, especially during the fourth and fifth rounds. Although Zalal dominated the third round and almost finished the fight with a guillotine choke, he could not secure a victory. After the match, Sterling stated that he intends to challenge Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight title, while Zalal praised Sterling's performance. In the co-main event, Joselyne Edwards defeated Norma Dumont by unanimous decision, bringing her winning streak to five fights. Other main card results included victories for Rafa Garcia, Davey Grant, and Raoni Barcelos. The only knockout of the main card happened when Ryan Spann defeated Marcus Buchecha in the second round. On the preliminary card, several fighters won by decision, while Jackson McVey earned the only other finish of the night by submitting Sedriques Dumas in the first round. Analysts noted that the event had a high number of decisions, as 11 of the 13 fights were decided by the judges. While experts criticized the lack of finishes, they emphasized the strong performances of veterans Grant and Barcelos. Furthermore, while Sterling has improved his rank, observers pointed out that Movsar Evloev is still a top contender for the championship title.

Conclusion

Aljamain Sterling's win confirms his place among the top fighters in the featherweight division. Overall, the event was defined by a high number of decisions and very few fight stoppages.

Vocabulary Learning

challenge (v.)

synonym: confront / clear English definition: to invite someone to compete or to test one's abilities挑戰

Example:He plans to challenge the champion for the title.

decision (n.)

synonym: verdict / clear English definition: a conclusion or resolution reached after consideration判決

Example:The decision of the fight was announced after the final round.

grappling (n.)

synonym: wrestling / clear English definition: the art or practice of grappling, especially in martial arts擒拿術

Example:Grappling was a key part of the fighter's strategy.

knockout (n.)

synonym: KO / clear English definition: a decisive blow that renders an opponent unable to continue擊倒

Example:The fight ended with a knockout in the second round.

unanimous (adj.)

synonym: unanimous / clear English definition: all agreeing or in full agreement全體一致

Example:The judges gave an unanimous decision.

Sentence Learning

The event was defined by a high number of decisions and very few fight stoppages.

Passive Voice: The verb "was defined" is in passive form, indicating that the event was characterized by something rather than doing the defining action.被動語態: 動詞「was defined」以被動形式呈現，表示事件被高數決定所定義，而非主動執行該動作。

Although Zalal dominated the third round and almost finished the fight with a guillotine choke, he could not secure a victory.

Conjunction - Although: "Although" introduces a contrast, showing that despite Zalal's dominance, he still didn't win.連接詞 - Although: 「Although」引入對比，說明儘管 Zalal 主導了第三回合，他仍未能取勝。

While experts criticized the lack of finishes, they emphasized the strong performances of veterans Grant and Barcelos.

Conjunction - While: "While" indicates contrast between critics' comments and their subsequent emphasis.連接詞 - While: 「While」表示評論者對缺乏結束的批評與隨後對選手表現的強調之間的對比。

Furthermore, while Sterling has improved his rank, observers pointed out that Movsar Evloev is still a top contender for the championship title.

Complement Clause - That: The clause "that Movsar Evloev is still a top contender" functions as the object of "pointed out".補語子句 - that: 子句「that Movsar Evloev is still a top contender」作為動詞 "pointed out" 的賓語。

Aljamain Sterling Secures Unanimous Decision Victory Over Youssef Zalal at UFC Vegas 116

Introduction

On April 25, 2026, the Ultimate Fighting Championship conducted the Vegas 116 event at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. The evening was headlined by a featherweight contest between former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling and ranked contender Youssef Zalal.

Main Body

The main event concluded with Aljamain Sterling defeating Youssef Zalal via unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the bout 49-45. Sterling utilized a grappling-centric strategy, securing multiple takedowns and maintaining back control, particularly in the fourth and fifth rounds. While Zalal achieved a period of dominance in the third round—including a significant guillotine choke attempt and securing Sterling's back—he was unable to secure a finish. Following the bout, Sterling expressed his intention to pursue the featherweight championship currently held by Alexander Volkanovski, while Zalal acknowledged Sterling's performance. In the co-main event, Joselyne Edwards defeated Norma Dumont by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27), extending her winning streak to five. Other notable main card results included Rafa Garcia's unanimous decision victory over Alexander Hernandez, Davey Grant's unanimous decision win against Adrian Luna Martinetti, and Raoni Barcelos' split-decision victory over Montel Jackson. The only knockout on the main card occurred when Ryan Spann defeated Marcus Buchecha in the second round at the 2:10 mark. The preliminary card featured several unanimous decisions, including wins for Eric McConico, Michelle Montague, Cody Durden, Francis Marshall, Victor Valenzuela, and Talita Alencar. Jackson McVey secured the only other finish of the event, defeating Sedriques Dumas via D'Arce choke in the first round. Post-fight bonuses of $100,000 were awarded to Ryan Spann and Jackson McVey for Performance of the Night, and to Davey Grant and Adrian Luna Martinetti for Fight of the Night. From an analytical perspective, the event was characterized by a high frequency of decisions, with 11 of the 13 bouts reaching the judges' scorecards. Observers noted a lack of finishes across the card, though the performance of veteran bantamweights Grant and Barcelos was highlighted as a point of competitive interest. Regarding the featherweight division's hierarchy, it is noted that while Sterling has improved his standing, Movsar Evloev remains a primary contender for the title.

Conclusion

Aljamain Sterling's victory reinforces his position within the featherweight division's top tier, while the event overall was marked by a prevalence of decision outcomes and a limited number of fight stoppages.

Vocabulary Learning

grappling-centric (adj.)

focused on grappling techniques rather than striking以摔跤為主的

Example:His grappling-centric strategy dominated the fight.

guillotine (n.)

a type of chokehold that constricts the neck, often used in grappling斬首式絞技

Example:The fighter applied a guillotine to secure the victory.

hierarchy (n.)

a system of ranking or classification階層

Example:The hierarchy of the featherweight division is constantly shifting.

prevalence (n.)

the state of being widespread or common普及

Example:The prevalence of unanimous decisions was evident.

stoppages (n.)

interruptions or halts in activity停止

Example:The stoppages in the event were limited.

Sentence Learning

While Zalal achieved a period of dominance in the third round—including a significant guillotine choke attempt and securing Sterling's back—he was unable to secure a finish.

Parenthetical insertion: The sentence uses an em‑dash‑delimited parenthetical clause—‘—including a significant guillotine choke attempt and securing Sterling's back—’—to insert supplementary detail about the dominance period, while the main clause introduces contrast with ‘While … he was unable…’.插入語: 句子使用破折號包圍的插入語（‘—包括一個重要的絞喉鎖技和抓住 Sterling 的背部—’）提供了關於支配期的額外細節，主句則以 ‘While … he was unable…’ 形成對比。

Following the bout, Sterling expressed his intention to pursue the featherweight championship currently held by Alexander Volkanovski, while Zalal acknowledged Sterling's performance.

Participial phrase adverbial: The adverbial participial phrase ‘Following the bout’ sets the temporal context for the main clause, and the coordinating clause introduced by ‘while’ contrasts the actions of Sterling and Zalal.分詞片語副詞性: 分詞片語‘Following the bout’ 作為副詞性修飾語為主句設定時間背景，並且以‘while’引入的並列子句對比了 Sterling 與 Zalal 的行動。

Regarding the featherweight division's hierarchy, it is noted that while Sterling has improved his standing, Movsar Evloev remains a primary contender for the title.

Nested subordinate clauses: The fronted prepositional phrase ‘Regarding the featherweight division's hierarchy’ introduces the topic, followed by a ‘that’ clause containing a ‘while’ subordinate clause, illustrating a complex nested structure.嵌套從屬子句: 前置的介詞短語‘Regarding the featherweight division's hierarchy’ 引入主題，接著以‘that’子句包住一個‘while’從屬子句，呈現複雜的嵌套結構。

Passive voice: The clause ‘was marked by a prevalence of decision outcomes and a limited number of fight stoppages’ employs passive construction to emphasize the event's characteristics rather than the agent.被動語態: 子句‘was marked by a prevalence of decision outcomes and a limited number of fight stoppages’ 使用被動語態，強調事件特徵而非主體。

Sterling utilized a grappling‑centric strategy, securing multiple takedowns and maintaining back control, particularly in the fourth and fifth rounds.

Reduced relative clause: The participial phrase ‘securing multiple takedowns and maintaining back control’ functions as a reduced relative clause modifying ‘strategy’, condensing the descriptive information.簡化關係子句: 分詞片語‘securing multiple takedowns and maintaining back control’ 作為簡化關係子句修飾 ‘strategy’，將描述性資訊凝練。