UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs Zalal Picks, Predictions and Odds April 25, 2026

UFC Fight Night Betting Preview

UFC Fight Night picks and predictions come from WagerTalk UFC handicapper Andy Lang for April 25, 2026 with the main event headlined by Aljamain Sterling vs Youssef Zalal in a featherweight fight. The main card starts up at 8:00pm ET from the Meta APEX, Las Vegas, NV.

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Aljamain Sterling vs Youssef Zalal: UFC Fight Night Main Event

Saturday, April 25	UFC Fight Night Betting Notes (Courtesy of Caesars)
Moneyline:	Aljamain Sterling +112 vs Youssef Zalal -138
Rounds:	4.5 (Over -180 / Under +145)
Fight Time:	Main Card Starts at 8:00pm ET / 5:00pm PT
Arena:	Meta APEX, Las Vegas, NV
TV:	Paramount+

UFC Fight Night Undercard Predictions

Norma Dumont -219 vs Joselyne Edwards +173 

Edwards will be a popular dog after recent finishes, but those came against weak competition. Dumont is on a six-fight win streak, though all by decision, showing limited finishing ability. 

Both can wrestle and work in the clinch, making this a close fight. I’ll side with Dumont to grind out another decision. 

Rafa Garcia +117 vs Alexander Hernandez -127 

Hernandez has looked sharp in his last two fights and may finally be putting it together. He’s athletic with solid striking, though cardio can still be a concern.

Garcia hasn’t impressed, with recent wins coming under questionable circumstances. Hernandez should be able to match the wrestling and land the more damaging strikes. Hernandez is the pick. 

Davey Grant -121 vs Adrian Luna Martinetti +104 

Martinetti throws volume but leaves himself wide open and has faced questionable competition. Grant may be past his prime but still has solid striking and far better experience.

He should be able to counter Martinetti’s aggressive entries. Grant is the pick. 

Montel Jackson -163 vs Raoni Barcelos +156 

Jackson is the more athletic fighter, but his last performance was concerning as he froze and barely engaged. Barcelos is on a four-fight win streak with strong volume and well-rounded skills.

This is a live-betting spot — if Jackson looks aggressive early, he’s the side. If he’s tentative, Barcelos can take over. 

Marcus Buchecha -133 vs Ryan Spann +127 

Bad matchup for Spann. He’s the better striker but struggles with cardio and consistency.  Buchecha should be able to take this to the ground, where he has a clear advantage.

Early rounds may be competitive, but Buchecha pulls away as Spann fades. If betting Spann, it has to be by finish. 

Rodolfo Vieira -277 vs Eric McConico +228 

These odds are too wide. Vieira is the better grappler, but he’s struggled to impose his game  against higher-level competition.

McConico looked competitive in his last fight and should have the striking edge here. If he can defend early takedowns, Vieira becomes very vulnerable. McConico is a live underdog.

Sedriques Dumas +178 vs Jackson McVey -186 

This is a low-level fight. McVey is dangerous early but fades quickly, while Dumas has better cardio. If Dumas survives the early storm, he should take over.

This fight likely doesn’t go the distance. Dumas by finish is the pick. 

Mayra Bueno Silva +330 vs Michelle Montague -431 

Silva has lost four straight and hasn’t shown much fight or urgency. Montague looked solid in her debut and should have a major grappling advantage. Expect takedowns and control throughout. Montague by decision. 

Jafel Filho -611 vs Cody Durden +455 

Durden is stepping in on short notice and has major cardio and defensive issues. Filho is  relentless with takedowns and submission attempts. This should be one-way traffic. Filho by submission is the easy pick. 

Francis Marshall -459 vs Lucas Brennan +350 

Brennan is very raw and relies almost entirely on early submissions. If he doesn’t get it early, he has little else to offer. Marshall should survive the early threat, reverse position, and likely get a finish. Marshall is the pick. 

Max Griffin +128 vs Victor Valenzuela -155 

Griffin is 40, inactive, and declining. Valenzuela isn’t proven at a high level but has decent striking fundamentals. Neither fighter is particularly appealing. Best bet is fight to go the distance. 

Talita Alencar +200 vs Julia Polastri -265 

Polastri has the striking advantage, but her takedown defense is questionable. Alencar is dangerous on the ground and can control or find a submission. This is a classic striker vs grappler matchup. Dog or pass — Alencar is live.

UFC Fight Night Main Event: Aljamain Sterling +112 vs Youssef Zalal -138

Sterling relies heavily on wrestling but doesn’t do much damage once he gets fights to the  ground. Zalal has looked great since returning to the UFC, and his grappling is strong enough to neutralize Sterling’s wrestling.

On the feet, Zalal is clearly the better striker. The only concern is the five-round distance, but Sterling’s style likely won’t drain him. Zalal by decision.

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