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Las Vegas, NV – The silence of the desert in Las Vegas is about to be shattered. Not by the usual cacophony of the strip, but by the echoing clatter of the Octagon door locking. This Saturday, April 25th, 2026, the UFC Apex transforms into a battleground, and if you aren’t strapped in, you are going to miss an absolute war.
We are talking about UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal (also known as UFC Vegas 116). This isn’t just a “Fight Night”; it is a seismic shift in the featherweight division. On one side, you have a former champion, a tactical wizard, and arguably the most debated bantamweight king in history—Aljamain “Funk Master” Sterling. On the other, the surging “Moroccan Devil,” Youssef Zalal, who looks less like a contender and more like a reaper on an eight-fight win streak.
The stakes are astronomical. The violence will be technical. And the action is exclusively locked inside the world’s premier sports streaming service.
If you are scrambling to figure out how to catch every jab, every takedown, and every moment of the co-main event featuring Norma Dumont and Joselyne Edwards, relax. I have broken down every single pixel, time zone, and hidden trick to ensure you don’t miss a second of the chaos.
The Mecca of MMA: Why This Card Matters
Before we dive into the cable cords and Wi-Fi signals, let’s set the stage. We are inside the Meta Apex in Las Vegas. For the uninitiated, this is the UFC’s私人 (private) fight factory. It’s smaller, it’s intimate, and because there is no crowd roar to hide behind, you hear every single grunt, corner shout, and bone-rattling impact.
The Headliner (145 lbs):
- Aljamain Sterling (25-5-0) : The former champ is hunting gold again. Since moving up to featherweight, “Funk Master” has silenced a lot of critics. He is coming off a masterclass against Brian Ortega. Sterling possesses one of the most unique grappling systems in the sport—think twisted limbs and relentless back-taking. He is ranked #5, and a win here punches his ticket to a title shot.
- Youssef Zalal (18-5-1) : Mark my words, this man is dangerous. The “Moroccan Devil” has submitted Josh Emmett and is riding an eight-fight finishing spree. At #7 in the rankings, he represents the new wave—explosive, hungry, and looking to use Sterling’s name as a stepping stone to superstardom.
The Co-Main Event:
- Norma Dumont vs. Joselyne Edwards : A women’s bantamweight scrap that promises firepower. Dumont is a technical boxer, while Edwards brings raw South American aggression.
This card is a grappler’s paradise and a striker’s nightmare. If you appreciate the art of jiu-jitsu and wrestling, this is your Super Bowl.
PART 1: The Official Home (The Only Place That Matters)
When I write about events, I always tell you to go to the source first. The Bible of this operation is www.ufc.com.
Before you even open your streaming app, go to the official UFC website. Why? Because algorithms love authority. But practically? Because the UFC website holds your hand through the process without sending you to sketchy pop-up hell.
Step-by-Step Instructions for April 25th:
- Navigate to www.ufc.com.
- Hover over the “Fight Center” or “How to Watch” tab.
- Look for the specific banner for UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal.
- The site will instantly verify your region and direct you to the official broadcaster.
Why use UFC.com?
If you are traveling internationally, the official site uses geolocation to tell you exactly which provider has the rights in the country you are standing in. It is the ultimate failsafe against missing the fight because you clicked the wrong link.
PART 2: The Broadcast Breakdown (US & UK)
The days of flipping through channels looking for ESPN are over (for most events). The UFC has signed a massive, history-making deal, and this entire event is part of the streaming revolution.
For the United States: “And STILL… Streaming Only”
Let’s get this straight right now: This is NOT a Pay-Per-View. Repeat after me: Not a PPV. You do not need to pay $79.99. You just need a subscription.
The exclusive home for UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal is Paramount+ .
This is a massive shift from the old ESPN days. Paramount+ is now the fortress where all the fights live. Here is the schedule you need to tattoo on your wrist:
- Early Prelims / Prelims Start Time:5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT.
- Main Card Start Time:8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT.
- What to expect: Sterling and Zalal walk out. Dumont and Edwards throw down. This is prime time violence.
How to Subscribe to Paramount+:
- Essential Plan: Includes the fights (with some commercials during non-fight breaks).
- Premium Plan: Commercial-free (for the most part) and includes your local CBS live stream.
Pro Tip: If you haven’t signed up yet, do it now. Don’t wait until 4:55 PM on Saturday. Streaming services hate last-minute traffic. Get the app on your Fire Stick, Roku, Apple TV, PlayStation, or Xbox tonight.
For the United Kingdom: The Late Shift
To my UK brethren: coffee is your friend. Because of the time difference, you are looking at a Sunday morning special.
- Broadcaster: TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport).
- Prelims Start: Approx 10:00 PM BST (Saturday night).
- Main Card Start: Approx 1:00 AM BST (Sunday morning/Sunday very late night).
If you don’t have TNT Sports via Sky or Virgin, check the Discovery+ app. They often carry the TNT Sports feeds digitally.
For the World (Everywhere Else)
If you are in Canada, Australia, or across Europe, the landscape varies, but the king of international streaming is UFC Fight Pass.
- UFC Fight Pass is the “Netflix of MMA.” While in the US, Fight Pass is mostly an archive; in many international markets, Fight Pass is the broadcaster for these Fight Night events.
- Check your local listings for Sony LIV (India), Main Event (Australia), or Match TV (Russia).
PART 3: The Advanced Class
Okay, we have covered the “How.” Now let’s talk about the “What if.”
Maybe you are an expat. Maybe you are traveling for business on April 25th. Maybe you hate your hotel cable package.
Scenario A: I don’t live in the US, and my country doesn’t have Paramount+.
Solution: This is where VPNs shine.
If you are in, say, the UK, but you prefer the US commentary team (Jon Anik and Daniel Cormier), or you are in a region where the event isn’t airing until Monday, a VPN allows you to “relocate” to New York or Los Angeles for the night.
- How to do it: Subscribe to a reliable VPN (NordVPN and ExpressVPN are the industry standards). Connect to a US server. Visit Paramount+ and log in. The server thinks you are in Vegas.
- Disclaimer: Ensure your VPN subscription is active before Sterling walks out. There is nothing worse than watching a buffer wheel spin while Zalal is landing a flying knee.
Scenario B: I want to watch the absolute earliest fights (The “Fight Pass” Prelims).
Sometimes, the earliest preliminary fights are exclusive to UFC Fight Pass before moving to Paramount+. For this specific card, the bulk is on Paramount+, but if you see a fight listed that isn’t on your main TV guide, it is likely on the UFC app.
- Cost: Fight Pass is usually around $9.99/month.
- Link: UFC Fight Pass
PART 4: Get to Know the Warriors (The “Why You Should Watch”)
I write about events, but I write about moments. You don’t just watch fights; you watch history. Here is the quick scouting report to make you sound like an analyst during your watch party.
Aljamain “Funk Master” Sterling
- Record: 25-5
- Camp: Serra-Longo Fight Team
- The Vibe: Sterling is a genius. People call his grappling “awkward” because you can’t predict it. He doesn’t just double-leg you; he hits you with a lateral drop or a weird kimura trap. He is 36 years old, and this is likely his last big run at a title.
- Path to Victory: Take Zalal down immediately. Make him carry the weight. Ground and pound until Zalal gases.
Youssef “The Moroccan Devil” Zalal
- Record: 18-5-1
- Camp: Factory X
- The Vibe: Ice cold. Zalal used to be known as a decision grinder, but since 2024, he has turned into a finishing machine. He has 14 finishes on his record, and he just armbarred Josh Emmett in the first round. That is “statement” energy.
- Path to Victory: Stay upright. Use the jab. Chop the legs. Make Sterling stand and box, where Sterling is historically hittable.
Don’t Blink on These Undercard Fights:
- Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida vs. Ryan Spann: Buchecha is arguably the greatest BJJ heavyweight of all time (17x World Champ). Watching him try to drag Spann to the mat is a technical masterpiece in the making.
- Montel Jackson vs. Raoni Barcelos: Jackson is a powerhouse; Barcelos is a durable veteran. Someone is going to sleep.
PART 5: The SEO Vault (External Resources)
You asked for valuable links to improve your SEO? Done. These are the pillars of the MMA media world. Bookmark these for pre-fight analysis and post-fight results.
1. The Official Source
- www.ufc.com – The undisputed champion of information. Go here for the official countdown clock and merch.
2. Fight Results & Real-Time Updates
- Yahoo Sports MMA – They will be running a live blog with round-by-round scoring. Perfect if you are at work and can’t watch the stream yet.
- MMA Mania – The gold standard for fight card cheat sheets. They list absolutely everything in an easy-to-read format.
- CBS Sports – Excellent for in-depth analytical breakdowns of Sterling’s wrestling vs. Zalal’s striking.
- Wrestling Inc. – Despite the name, their play-by-play of the grappling exchanges is second to none.
3. The Streaming Provider
The Final Weigh-In
Date: Saturday, April 25th, 2026
Time: Prelims at 5:00 PM ET | Main Card at 8:00 PM ET
Location: UFC Apex, Las Vegas, NV
Stream: Paramount+ (US) | TNT Sports (UK)
This is a “Fight of the Night” contender waiting to happen. You have the veteran savant, Aljamain Sterling, looking to prove he is still an elite killer, against the young lion, Youssef Zalal, looking to devour a legend.
Don’t be the fan who reads the highlights on Monday morning. Be the fan who saw the armbar crank, the takedown slam, or the upset knockout live.
Set your alarms. Charge your remotes. Log into Paramount+ now.
The Octagon awaits.