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Tag: UFC Vegas 116

  • Amanda Nunes Mocks Norma Dumont Loss, Dumont Claps Back

    Amanda Nunes Mocks Norma Dumont Loss, Dumont Claps Back

    Amanda Nunes broke her months-long silence on Norma Dumont in the worst possible way for the bantamweight contender, mocking Dumont’s Saturday loss to Joselyne Edwards at UFC Vegas 116.

    Dumont dropped a unanimous decision to Edwards (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal, snapping her six-fight win streak and complicating her case for a title shot. The Brazilian protested the result in the cage. You can find the full breakdown of Edwards’ upset win and the post-fight reaction here.

    Shortly after the decision was read, Nunes posted laughing emojis on Instagram in response to Dumont’s loss. It was a pointed jab from a fighter Dumont has spent years chasing, and Dumont noticed.

    Dumont Fires Back On Instagram

    Responding on her Instagram story, Dumont leaned into the silence Nunes had kept for the better part of four years.

    “I’m very happy that Amanda (Nunes)’s internet is working again. Because it’s been six fights, four years if I’m not mistaken, that I went undefeated, and I challenged her to fight in every fight and she never responded,” Dumont said.

    “She never responded to any message I sent directly to her challenging her to a fight, she didn’t respond to any of the pages. But now she’s decided to show up, so I’m very happy that her internet is back. And now I understand that our conversation will be different.”

    Dumont then framed the exchange as a setup for unfinished business.

    “And I’m very happy about that, because I’m sure that in the next fight, we’ll come out with our arms raised and this conversation will still yield a lot. I think this has become very interesting now.”

    Nunes remains in training while she waits for champion Kayla Harrison to recover from neck surgery, with their postponed title fight expected to be rescheduled later in 2026. Dumont, despite the Vegas 116 setback, is making clear she wants in on whatever comes next.

  • Aljamain Sterling Considered Retirement Before UFC Vegas 116 Win

    Aljamain Sterling Considered Retirement Before UFC Vegas 116 Win

    Aljamain Sterling admits he seriously considered retirement heading into his UFC Vegas 116 bout against Youssef Zalal. The 36-year-old former bantamweight champion secured his second consecutive featherweight win but revealed the fight could have been his last under different circumstances.

    Sterling has gone 3-1 since moving up to featherweight in 2024, with his only loss coming against top contender Movsar Evloev. Despite the success, the veteran fighter entered his fourth fight in the weight class with honest thoughts about his future in the sport.

    Sterling Reveals Retirement Thoughts Before Zalal Fight

    During the post-fight show, Sterling opened up about the mental preparation he went through before stepping into the Octagon. The manner of a potential loss would have determined whether he continued fighting.

    “I’m not going to lie to you, definitely thoughts of retirement and things like that crossed my mind,” Sterling said. “Depending on how I lost, if I were to lose, and just being realistic.”

    The former champion explained his reasoning for considering walking away from the sport. He emphasized that competing at the highest level remains his primary motivation.

    “If I can’t compete, I don’t want to do this anymore. It’s not that I don’t want to do it because there’s no future for it. It’s just if I can’t compete with these young guys, why are you sticking around just taking an a– whooping for no reason?” Sterling stated.

    Passing of the Torch Concerns

    Sterling questioned whether his matchup with Zalal would become a passing of the torch moment at featherweight. The veteran fighter showed on Saturday night that he still has plenty left in the tank.

    His performance mirrored recent comments from Gilbert Burns, who retired after his loss to Mike Malott. Burns had planned to compete three times this year but decided to walk away after being stopped by an unranked opponent.

    Following his victory, Sterling called out both Movsar Evloev and Alexander Volkanovski. The win demonstrated that “Funkmaster” remains motivated to test himself against the division’s elite and isn’t ready to hang up his gloves just yet.

  • “Statement Win” – Aljamain Sterling Dominates Youssef Zalal

    “Statement Win” – Aljamain Sterling Dominates Youssef Zalal

    Aljamain Sterling may now find himself in contention for a potential bantamweight title shot after a one-sided, mostly master-class performance against Youssef Zalal in the main event of UFC Vegas 116.

    A competitive first round saw plenty of striking exchanges, with Sterling seeming to land the more effective strikes. Sterling also scored a takedown during the round, taking over two minutes of top control time.

    The two continued to have their exchanges on the feet in round two; however, Sterling again was able to take the fight to the ground and control from there. He emphasized this control with some solid ground-and-pound before the round’s end.

    Zalal stole the momentum in the third round, threatening a tight guillotine choke early before Sterling worked his way out. It was Zalal’s best round, landing sharp strikes and gaining back control.

    Sterling, however, took everything right back with a dominant, 10-8-worthy fourth round. Sterling put on a dominant display, controlling Zalal and landing more ground-and-pound while threatening submissions.

    Sterling added one more takedown and strong ground session to end the fight, with all three judges scoring the fight 49-45 in his favor.

    Aljamain Sterling Puts On Master Class Ground Performance On Youssef Zalal At UFC Vegas 116

    Sterling is now 3-1 since moving up to featherweight. The former bantamweight champion entered this fight off a win over Brian Ortega last August. His only loss in the division came against Movsar Evloev.

    This is Zalal’s first UFC loss since his return to the promotion in 2024. He entered this fight 5-0 in his second Octagon stint, coming in off a submission of Josh Emmett at UFC 320.

  • “Incredible Run” – Edwards Gets Decision Over Dumont

    “Incredible Run” – Edwards Gets Decision Over Dumont

    Joselyne Edwards has taken full advantage of a huge opportunity that came her way, defeating Norma Dumont in a women’s bantamweight contender battle that served as the UFC Vegas 116 co-main event.

    Edwards looked to press the action in round one, but was taken down by Dumont. Edwards managed to get back up, and the round saw plenty of grappling exchanges. Edwards seemed to get the better of them, though one late exchange saw her end up on bottom through fault of her own — needing to fight back to get on top.

    Edwards looked to keep some distance and focus on making the fight a striking battle in rounds two and three. Both women had their fair share in the second round, but round three was Edwards’ best, landing a solid volume of striking on Dumont.

    Edwards took the decision on all three judges’ cards, with two 29-28 totals and a 30-27.

    Joselyne Edwards Edges Out Norma Dumont At UFC Vegas 116

    Edwards took this fight on short notice, replacing Yana Santos. She has now won five fights in a row. Edwards just fought a couple of months ago, submitting Nora Cornolle at UFC Houston.

    This is Dumont’s first loss since losing to Macy Chiasson at UFC 274, snapping a six-fight winning streak. She came into this bout off a victory over Ketlen Vieira at UFC Vegas 110.

  • Ryan Spann Knocks Marcus Buchecha Out Stiff At UFC Vegas 116

    Ryan Spann Knocks Marcus Buchecha Out Stiff At UFC Vegas 116

    Ryan Spann has had several highlights throughout his UFC career, and he added a violent one to the mix with his knockout of Marcus Buchecha at UFC Vegas 116.

    Buchecha looked to use his grappling expertise in the first round, looking for a number of takedowns and submissions on Spann. Spann, meanwhile, looked to land with power early and did so. He also managed to fend off an arm-triangle attempt and guillotines while looking to pressure Buechecha.

    The two slowed their pace in the second round, but Spann brought a quick end to things with a right hand. That punch dropped Buchecha on his side, not moving for several seconds as the referee stepped in to wave the fight off.

    Ryan Spann KOs Marcus Buchecha At UFC Vegas 116

    Spann has now won three of his last four and is 2-1 since moving up to heavyweight. He entered this fight off a submission of Lukasz Brzeski at UFC 318 last July.

    Buchecha is now 0-2-1 since debuting in the UFC last year, with both losses coming by stoppage.

  • Jackson McVey Locks Up D’Arce And Submits Sedriques Dumas

    Jackson McVey Locks Up D’Arce And Submits Sedriques Dumas

    The third time is the charm for Jackson McVey, as he finally captured his first UFC victory with a submission of Sedriques Dumas during the UFC Vegas 116 prelims.

    McVey brought the pressure right away, looking to score a takedown on Dumas. When that didn’t work, he maintained control of the clinch until a low blow forced a separation.

    Upon the fight resuming, McVey pressed Dumas to the fence again, this time dropping him with an uppercut. McVey swarmed Dumas with ground-and-pound.

    When the fight wasn’t stopped, McVey locked up a D’Arce choke, scoring the submission just over two minutes into the bout.

    Jackson McVey Submits Sedriques Dumas At UFC Vegas 116

    McVey, an LFA veteran, now improves to 7-2 after arriving in the UFC at 6-0. He dropped his first two Octagon bouts to Brunno Ferreira and Zach Reese last year.

    Dumas is now winless in his last four. He is 1-4 (1 NC) in his last six fights.

  • UFC Vegas 116 Results: Sterling vs. Zalal Live Updates & Highlights

    UFC Vegas 116 Results: Sterling vs. Zalal Live Updates & Highlights

    UFC Vegas 116 results and highlights are updated live as the action unfolds from the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main event will feature a featherweight bout between Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal. MMANews has you covered with all the results and highlights!

    Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal – Featherweight Main Event

    Sterling moved up to featherweight after the end of his bantamweight title run. Sterling defeated Calvin Kattar at UFC 300 in his first bout at 135, but he was defeated by Movsar Evloev at UFC 310. Sterling last fought at UFC Shanghai this past August, defeating Brian Ortega.

    Zalal has won eight straight and is currently 5-0 in his second stint with the UFC. He comes into this bout off a submission of Josh Emmett at UFC 320.

    The co-main event will feature Norma Dumont taking on Joselyne Edwards. Dumont has won six straight, most recently scoring a split decision over Ketlen Vieira at UFC Vegas 110 in November. Edwards has won four straight, most recently submitting Nora Cornolle at UFC Houston in February.

    If you can’t watch the action, check here for all the latest results and highlights from UFC Vegas 116!

    How to Watch UFC Vegas 116

    • Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
    • Venue: Meta Apex, Las Vegas, Nevada
    • Streaming: Paramount+ (exclusive)
    • Prelims: 5 PM ET / 2 PM PT
    • Main Card: 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT

    UFC Vegas 116 Quick Results

    • Main Event: Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal — Aljamain Sterling def. Youssef Zalal via unanimous decision (49-45 x3)
    • Co-Main Event: Norma Dumont vs. Joselyne Edwards — Joselyne Edwards def. Norma Dumont via unanimous decision (29-28 x2, 30-27)
    • Rafa Garcia vs. Alexander Hernandez — Rafa Garcia def. Alexander Hernandez via unanimous decision (29-28 x2, 30-27)
    • Davey Grant vs. Adrian Luna Martinetti — Davey Grant def. Adrian Luna Martinetti via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
    • Montel Jackson vs. Raoni Barcelos — Raoni Barcelos def. Montel Jackson via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
    • Marcus Buchecha vs. Ryan Spann — Ryan Spann def. Marcus Buchecha via KO (Rd. 2, 2:10)

    UFC Vegas 116 Results & Highlights

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 5 PM ET)

    Women’s Strawweight: Talita Alencar vs. Julia Polastri

    Results: Talita Alencar def. Julia Polastri via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Welterweight: Max Griffin vs. Victor Valenzuela

    Results: Victor Valenzuela def. Max Griffin via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Lightweight: Francis Marshall vs. Lucas Brennan

    Results: Francis Marshall def. Lucas Brennan via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

    Bantamweight: Jafel Filho vs. Cody Durden

    Results: Cody Durden def. Jafel Filho via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)

    Women’s Bantamweight: Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Michelle Montague

    Results: Michelle Montague def. Mayra Bueno Silva via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

    Middleweight: Jackson McVey vs. Sedriques Dumas

    Results: Jackson McVey def. Sedriques Dumas via submission (D’Arce choke) (Rd. 1, 2:14)

    Middleweight: Rodolfo Vieira vs. Eric McConico

    Results: Eric McConico def. Rodolfo Vieira via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Main Card (Paramount+, 8 PM ET)

    Heavyweight: Marcus Buchecha vs. Ryan Spann

    Results: Ryan Spann def. Marcus Buchecha via KO (Rd. 2, 2:10)

    Bantamweight: Montel Jackson vs. Raoni Barcelos

    Results: Raoni Barcelos def. Montel Jackson via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)

    Bantamweight: Davey Grant vs. Adrian Luna Martinetti

    Results: Davey Grant def. Adrian Luna Martinetti via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Lightweight: Rafa Garcia vs. Alexander Hernandez

    Results: Rafa Garcia def. Alexander Hernandez via unanimous decision (29-28 x2, 30-27)

    Women’s Bantamweight: Norma Dumont vs. Joselyne Edwards

    Results: Joselyne Edwards def. Norma Dumont via unanimous decision (29-28 x2, 30-27)

    Featherweight: Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal

    Results: Aljamain Sterling def. Youssef Zalal via unanimous decision (49-45 x3)

  • UFC Vegas 116 Preview: Sterling vs. Zalal, Full Card, How to Watch

    UFC Vegas 116 Preview: Sterling vs. Zalal, Full Card, How to Watch

    UFC Vegas 116

    UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal goes down this Saturday, April 25, 2026, from the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, streaming live on Paramount+ with prelims at 5 PM ET and the main card at 8 PM ET.

    Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling (25-5) meets surging contender Youssef Zalal (18-5-1) in a five-round featherweight main event that pits top-ranked 145-pounders against each other with real title implications. Here is the full breakdown.

    Main Event: Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal (Featherweight)

    Sterling enters as a slight underdog at +105 to +120 depending on the book, which is striking for a former champion still ranked fifth at featherweight. The 36-year-old Long Island native held the 135-pound belt from 2021 to 2023 with three successful defenses, and he’s 2-1 since moving up, including a five-round decision over Brian Ortega at UFC Shanghai last August. His only featherweight loss came to Movsar Evloev at UFC 310, though Sterling still landed six takedowns in that fight.

    Zalal is the seventh-ranked featherweight and riding a five-fight win streak, with four submission finishes in his last five. The most eye-catching was a first-round armbar of Josh Emmett. The 29-year-old Moroccan switch-stance fighter holds real physical advantages: 5’10” to Sterling’s 5’7″, with a 72-inch reach and sharper striking numbers across the board.

    The style matchup breaks down cleanly. Sterling’s path is wrestling: chain takedowns, back control, positional dominance. He averages 2.45 takedowns per 15 minutes and has never been submitted in 30 pro fights. Zalal’s path is distance striking and scrambling off his back. His 59 percent takedown defense isn’t elite, but his submission rate of 1.41 attempts per 15 minutes means Sterling won’t be able to sit heavy without risk.

    This fight was not the original main event. The card was supposed to be headlined by Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley before that pairing was moved to UFC 328. Whoever wins Saturday makes a serious case for a top-three featherweight slot, with Evloev already booked for the next title shot.

    Co-Main Event: Norma Dumont vs. Joselyne Edwards (Women’s Bantamweight)

    The co-main pairs third-ranked Norma Dumont against 11th-ranked Joselyne Edwards in a women’s bantamweight fight with clear title picture implications. Dumont has been campaigning for a shot at the belt, and a win here keeps her near the front of the contender line. Edwards gets the biggest opportunity of her career against a top-five opponent.

    Main Card Fights to Watch

    Rafa García vs. Alexander Hernandez (Lightweight) — This is the closest line on the card, a genuine pick’em between two top-25 155-pounders. García comes in on a two-fight winning streak with a knockout of Jared Gordon in September. Hernandez is the sharper striker at range, but García’s 3.13 takedowns per 15 minutes and pressure-forward style against Hernandez’s 73 percent takedown defense will decide it.

    Davey Grant vs. Adrian Luna Martinetti (Bantamweight) — Grant is a 39-year-old British veteran with heavy hands; Luna Martinetti is a short-notice prospect making his UFC debut. Expect fireworks early.

    Montel Jackson vs. Raoni Barcelos (Bantamweight) — Jackson, ranked in the 135-pound top 15, is in a must-win spot against the Brazilian grappler. Barcelos has the jiu-jitsu pedigree to exploit any mistake.

    Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida vs. Ryan Spann (Heavyweight) — Buchecha is one of the most decorated grapplers in the sport’s history transitioning to heavyweight MMA. Spann is a veteran striker with knockout power. A classic strike-vs-grapple matchup.

    Preliminary Card

    The prelims feature Rodolfo Vieira vs. Eric McConico at middleweight, with Vieira another elite grappler looking for a finish. Sedriques Dumas vs. Jackson McVey is another middleweight bout with finish potential. Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Michelle Montague rounds out the women’s 135-pound action, with Bueno Silva a former title challenger looking to rebuild. Additional bouts include Jafel Filho vs. Cody Durden, Francis Marshall vs. Lucas Brennan, and Max Griffin vs. Victor Valenzuela.

    Full Fight Card

    Main Card (Paramount+, 8 PM ET)

    • Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal — Featherweight (5 rounds)
    • Norma Dumont vs. Joselyne Edwards — Women’s Bantamweight
    • Rafa García vs. Alexander Hernandez — Lightweight
    • Davey Grant vs. Adrian Luna Martinetti — Bantamweight
    • Montel Jackson vs. Raoni Barcelos — Bantamweight
    • Marcus Almeida vs. Ryan Spann — Heavyweight

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 5 PM ET)

    • Rodolfo Vieira vs. Eric McConico — Middleweight
    • Sedriques Dumas vs. Jackson McVey — Middleweight
    • Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Michelle Montague — Women’s Bantamweight
    • Jafel Filho vs. Cody Durden — Flyweight
    • Francis Marshall vs. Lucas Brennan — Featherweight
    • Max Griffin vs. Victor Valenzuela — Welterweight

    How to Watch

    • Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
    • Venue: Meta APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada
    • Prelims: 5:00 PM ET on Paramount+
    • Main Card: 8:00 PM ET on Paramount+
    • UK: TNT Sports (main card) / UFC Fight Pass (prelims)
  • Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley Tops UFC Vegas 116 on April 25

    Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley Tops UFC Vegas 116 on April 25

    Two men looking to break into the upper echelon of the welterweight contender scene will do battle in the main event of UFC Vegas 116, as Sean Brady takes on Joaquin Buckley.

    The UFC confirmed the bout in an announcement during the UFC Houston broadcast.

    Both men are coming in off losses but are still ranked in the top 10 at 170 pounds, and a strong performance could gain the winner a top-five opponent.

    Brady comes into this bout off a loss to Michael Morales at UFC 322 in November. He had won three straight prior to that and was once 15-0 before running into then-future welterweight champion Belal Muhammad.

    Buckley last fought this past June, dropping a decision to the returning former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman at UFC Atlanta. Prior to that, Buckley had won six straight and hadn’t lost since 2022.

    UFC Vegas 116 takes place on April 25 at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.