UFC Vegas 116 delivers an exceptional lineup of fighters positioned to make significant statements in their respective divisions. With four athletes capable of legitimately challenging for titles, this event at Meta Apex promises compelling matchups that could reshape the contender landscape heading into the latter half of 2026.
The Main Event Showdown: Sterling's Featherweight Bid Against Zalal's Rising Momentum
Aljamain Sterling headlines the card in a featherweight contest against Youssef Zalal, marking a pivotal moment for both competitors. Sterling, the former bantamweight champion, has made a calculated transition to 145 pounds, where he has already demonstrated the technical prowess and fighting intelligence that made him formidable at 135 pounds. His division change signals serious title aspirations at featherweight, potentially positioning him as a credible challenger to the division's elite.
Zalal arrives with impressive momentum from a five-fight winning streak since returning to UFC competition in 2024. His resurgence has caught the attention of division observers, establishing him as a rising threat in a featherweight division that demands technical excellence. The contrast between these competitors creates a compelling tactical puzzle.
The bout will likely be decided through grappling exchanges rather than pure striking warfare. Sterling, renowned for his wrestling pedigree, figures to implement a grinding strategy, repeatedly shooting for takedowns to control the tempo and pace. While both fighters have made notable improvements in their striking as their careers progressed, Sterling's wrestling advantage gives him a clear pathway to victory. Expect positional control battles that could determine the judges' scorecards, with whoever demonstrates superior wrestling execution and positional dominance emerging victorious.
Co-Main Event Drama: Dumont and Edwards Chase Elusive Title Shots
Norma Dumont and Joselyne Edwards face each other in a women's bantamweight matchup that carries significant championship implications. Dumont has finally resolved her historical weight-cutting struggles and has compiled an impressive recent resume featuring victories over established competitors like Ketlen Vieira, Irene Aldana, and Germaine de Randamie. These quality wins position her as a legitimate top-tier threat in the division.
Edwards presents an aggressive alternative, having successfully made weight three consecutive times while recording three consecutive finishes. Her willingness to implement takedowns alongside her striking creates stylistic unpredictability that opponents must respect. However, Edwards is preparing for this opportunity on relatively short notice with approximately two months of training time, which represents a potential disadvantage against Dumont's methodical approach.
Dumont's technical standup game, built on patient jab control and reluctance to rush, has proven effective throughout her career. Edwards' more aggressive approach could steal early exchanges if she forces rapid engagement. The bout will likely remain standing, where Dumont's technical superiority and experience fighting at championship levels should secure another decision victory. However, both fighters remain caught in championship limbo until Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes settle their unfinished business, which would open the contender pipeline for the division's next title challengers.
The Supporting Cast: Hernandez Looks to Extend Win Streak
Alexander Hernandez carries momentum from a four-fight winning streak into his lightweight matchup against Rafa Garcia. Hernandez's career has historically featured stops and starts, but his recent consistency demonstrates his potential when competing at his highest level. His significant physical advantages—athleticism, durability, and technical tools—position him favorably against Garcia's veteran profile.
Garcia brings grappling credentials and demonstrated hand speed, recently knocking down Jared Gordon with precise timing. The Mexican fighter remains comfortable engaging in striking exchanges. However, the critical factor involves the quality of Garcia's recent opponents. His three most recent victories—against Gordon, Vinc Pichel, and Clay Guida—represent fighters with considerable mileage and age-related decline. When Garcia faced an athlete with Hernandez's caliber, he struggled against Grant Dawson. This athleticism gap will likely prove decisive, with Hernandez's superior physical tools allowing him to pull away on the scorecards as the fight progresses into later rounds.
Luna Martinetti and Grant: Fight Night Fireworks Expected
Davey Grant's career trajectory has undergone remarkable transformation. Once recognized primarily as a grappling specialist, Grant has evolved into an exciting striker capable of delivering thrilling standup exchanges. His recent fights showcase this reinvention through entertaining performances that capture fan attention.
Adrian Luna Martinetti arrives with an undefeated 15-fight winning streak and carries momentum from a spectacular Contender Series victory against Mark Vologdin that represented a legitimate Fight of the Year candidate. Despite his grappling background, Luna Martinetti demonstrated his willingness to engage in aggressive striking exchanges during that memorable performance. His youth provides an advantage over Grant, who continues competing at an elite level but faces natural aging considerations.
Both fighters' aggressive tendencies and striking willingness virtually guarantee an entertaining affair. The younger Luna Martinetti holds a slight edge based on his undefeated record and fresher athleticism, yet Grant's championship experience and technical evolution present meaningful challenges. Expect competitive striking exchanges throughout, making this bout a strong candidate for Fight of the Night recognition.
Jackson's Redemption Moment Against Barcelos
Dominick Jackson faces a critical juncture in his bantamweight career. His disappointing decision loss to Deiveson Figueiredo in Rio derailed what would have been a significant title-contention trajectory. At 34 years old, Jackson has entered a window where title aspirations demand immediate action. This represents a now-or-never scenario for establishing genuine contender credentials.
Raoni Barcelos approaches his 39th birthday while riding a hot streak featuring three consecutive impressive victories against Ricky Simon, former champion Cody Garbrandt, and Payton Talbott. Barcelos' recent form appears exceptionally sharp, and his grappling superiority on paper could enable dominance in this matchup.
This bantamweight encounter features two tested, experienced fighters whose extensive careers allow them to overcome any minor physical decline through superior technique. Jackson possesses superior striking power, while Barcelos demonstrates greater technical variety and mixing ability. The bout will unfold as a tactical chess match where ring intelligence, position management, and technical execution determine the outcome. Experience levels are effectively equalized, making this a genuine test of fighting acumen rather than pure athletic superiority.
Buchecha's Final UFC Test Against Spann
Legendary jiu-jitsu champion Buchecha's UFC transition has fallen well below expectations. Even observers accustomed to grappling specialists struggling in the cage entertained legitimate championship aspirations for Buchecha, yet his two UFC performances have disappointed substantially. His heavyweight bout against Ryan Spann represents a final opportunity to validate his professional MMA credentials.
Spann accepted this matchup on less than three weeks' notice and arrived at the scale appearing unprepared. His weight gain from 252 pounds to 264 pounds does not reflect muscle acquisition, raising additional concerns about fight readiness. Buchecha must take immediate control, establishing dominant positions and implementing his exceptional jiu-jitsu expertise early. Extended exchanges play directly into problematic scenarios given Buchecha's cardio limitations. A first-round submission remains the most realistic pathway to victory.
Event Logistics and Viewing Information
UFC Vegas 116 takes place Saturday, April 25 at Meta Apex. The seven-fight early preliminary card begins at 5 p.m. ET, with the six-fight main card commencing at 8 p.m. ET. The entire event streams live exclusively on Paramount+, providing complete access to all competition throughout the evening.