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Aljamain Sterling vs Youssef Zalal

Aljamain Sterling is 26-5-0; Youssef Zalal is 18-6-1. Aljamain Sterling is 7 years older than Youssef Zalal. Youssef Zalal has a 1" · 3 cm reach advantage over Aljamain Sterling. Youssef Zalal is 3" · 8 cm taller than Aljamain Sterling. They have met once: Aljamain Sterling 1, Youssef Zalal 0.

Aljamain Sterling
United States
Aljamain Sterling
“Funk Master” · 26-5-0
UDUDUD
FeatherweightMet once
Youssef Zalal
Morocco
Youssef Zalal
“The Moroccan Devil” · 18-6-1
UDSUBUD
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Style & credentials

Aljamain Sterling
Folkstyle WrestlingBJJ
  • 2019Black belt · BJJMatt Serra
  • 2011All-American · NCAA D3141 lb
  • 2010All-American · NCAA D3133 lb
  • —Uniondale High SchoolWrestling Folkstyle · 2004-2007
Camp · Serra-Longo Fight Team · Long Island, New York, US
Youssef Zalal

No background on record

Camp · FactoryX Muay Thai · Morocco

Sig. strikes by zone

Where each fighter lands, as a share of significant strikes

50%
Head
63%
31%
Body
17%
19%
Leg
20%

Time in position

Share of fight time at distance, in the clinch and on the ground

Aljamain Sterlinglast 7 fights
49%19%32%
Youssef Zalallast 8 fights
63%29%
■ Distance■ Clinch■ Ground

How good, really

Each stat against every UFC fighter, in plain words

Aljamain Sterling· from fights outside the UFC Youssef Zalal· from fights outside the UFC
Strikes landed / min
4.262.78
PoorBelow avgAverageGoodElite
Aljamain Sterling · Good · better than 74% of UFC fightersYoussef Zalal · Below avg · better than 30% of UFC fighters
Strikes taken / minfewer is better
2.151.79
PoorBelow avgAverageGoodElite
Aljamain Sterling · Elite · better than 88% of UFC fightersYoussef Zalal · Elite · better than 94% of UFC fighters
Takedowns landed / 15 min
2.541.84
PoorBelow avgAverageGoodElite
Aljamain Sterling · Good · better than 81% of UFC fightersYoussef Zalal · Good · better than 68% of UFC fighters
Takedown accuracy
32%32%
PoorBelow avgAverageGoodElite
Aljamain Sterling · Below avg · better than 34% of UFC fightersYoussef Zalal · Below avg · better than 34% of UFC fighters
Takedown defence
45%56%
PoorBelow avgAverageGoodElite
Aljamain Sterling · Poor · better than 19% of UFC fightersYoussef Zalal · Below avg · better than 34% of UFC fighters
Submission attempts / 15 min
0.601.30
PoorBelow avgAverageGoodElite
Aljamain Sterling · Good · better than 62% of UFC fightersYoussef Zalal · Elite · better than 88% of UFC fighters

Ranked against 1483 UFC fighters with five or more UFC fights.

Striking & grappling

Same scale left and right on every row

4.26
Strikes landed / min
2.78
2.15
Strikes taken / minfewer is better
1.79
2.54 / 7.9
Takedowns landed / 15 min
1.84 / 5.8
32%
Takedown accuracy
32%
45%
Takedown defence
56%
4:46
Control time / fight
3:39
0.60
Submission attempts / 15 min
1.30

Bars in a row share one scale. The stronger side is solid; the pale tail behind takedowns is attempts.

Where the strikes land

Range × target

Aljamain Sterling23 UFC fights · 1407 landed
Head
Body
Leg
Distance
33%463/1364
18%260/416
15%218/286
Clinch
3%41/79
10%136/152
2%32/39
Ground
14%199/269
3%47/54
1%11/16
Youssef Zalal13 UFC fights · 454 landed
Head
Body
Leg
Distance
53%241/595
13%58/89
20%90/108
Clinch
2%11/21
4%17/17
0%0/0
Ground
8%36/61
0%1/1
0%0/0

Share of significant strikes landed by range and target · landed / attempted in each cell.

Head-to-Head History

Common Opponents

How each fared against the same opponents.

Aljamain SterlingYoussef Zalal

Frequently asked questions

Have Aljamain Sterling and Youssef Zalal ever fought?

Yes, once. Most recently at UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs Zalal (Sat, Apr 25, 2026), where Aljamain Sterling won by Unanimous Decision.

What are the records of Aljamain Sterling and Youssef Zalal?

Aljamain Sterling is 26-5-0 and Youssef Zalal is 18-6-1.

Who has the longer reach, Aljamain Sterling or Youssef Zalal?

Youssef Zalal has the longer reach: 72" · 183 cm against 71" · 180 cm for Aljamain Sterling, a 1" · 3 cm advantage.

Who is taller, Aljamain Sterling or Youssef Zalal?

Youssef Zalal is taller at 5'10" · 178 cm; Aljamain Sterling stands 5'7" · 170 cm.

Who is older, Aljamain Sterling or Youssef Zalal?

Aljamain Sterling is 37 and Youssef Zalal is 30.

Who has more finishes, Aljamain Sterling or Youssef Zalal?

Aljamain Sterling has 11 wins inside the distance (3 by KO/TKO, 8 by submission); Youssef Zalal has 14 wins (4 by KO/TKO, 10 by submission).

More comparisons

Aljamain Sterling vs others