{"id":38734,"date":"2026-04-24T11:17:52","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T15:17:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/?p=38734"},"modified":"2026-04-24T11:17:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T15:17:54","slug":"ufc-fight-night-sterling-vs-zalal-picks-predictions-and-odds-april-25-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/mma\/ufc-fight-night-sterling-vs-zalal-picks-predictions-and-odds-april-25-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs Zalal Picks, Predictions and Odds April 25, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

UFC Fight Night Betting Preview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

UFC Fight Night picks and predictions<\/strong> come from WagerTalk UFC handicapper Andy Lang<\/a><\/span> for April 25, 2026 with the main event headlined by Aljamain Sterling vs Youssef Zalal<\/strong> in a featherweight fight. The main card starts up at 8:00pm ET from the Meta APEX,\u00a0Las Vegas,\u00a0NV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you subscribed to WagerTalk TV? If not, what are you waiting for?! Set up alerts so that you never miss an episode of your favorite shows. Drop the gloves with the Puck Time crew and swing for the fences on Total Bases. From betting tips to free picks, WagerTalk TV<\/a> is your one-stop shop for streaming sports betting content.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Get Andy Lang’s PREMIUM Picks!<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

WagerTalk also offers Free UFC Picks<\/a> all year long!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Aljamain Sterling vs Youssef Zalal:<\/strong> UFC Fight Night Main Event<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Saturday, April 25<\/th>UFC Fight Night Betting Notes (Courtesy of Caesars)<\/th><\/tr>
Moneyline:<\/td>Aljamain Sterling +112 vs Youssef Zalal -138<\/td><\/tr>
Rounds:<\/td>4.5 (Over -180 \/ Under +145)<\/td><\/tr>
Fight Time:<\/td>Main Card Starts at 8:00pm ET \/ 5:00pm PT<\/td><\/tr>
Arena:<\/td>Meta APEX,\u00a0Las Vegas,\u00a0NV<\/td><\/tr>
TV:<\/td>Paramount+<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

UFC Fight Night Undercard Predictions<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Norma Dumont -219 vs Joselyne Edwards +173\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edwards will be a popular dog after recent finishes, but those came against weak competition.\u00a0Dumont is on a six-fight win streak, though all by decision, showing limited finishing ability.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both can wrestle and work in the clinch, making this a close fight. I\u2019ll side with Dumont<\/strong> to grind\u00a0out another decision.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rafa Garcia +117 vs Alexander Hernandez -127\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hernandez has looked sharp in his last two fights and may finally be putting it together. He\u2019s\u00a0athletic with solid striking, though cardio can still be a concern. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Garcia hasn\u2019t impressed, with\u00a0recent wins coming under questionable circumstances. Hernandez should be able to match the\u00a0wrestling and land the more damaging strikes. Hernandez is the pick<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Davey Grant -121 vs Adrian Luna Martinetti +104\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Martinetti throws volume but leaves himself wide open and has faced questionable competition.\u00a0Grant may be past his prime but still has solid striking and far better experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He should be\u00a0able to counter Martinetti\u2019s aggressive entries. Grant is the pick<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Montel Jackson -163 vs Raoni Barcelos +156\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jackson is the more athletic fighter, but his last performance was concerning as he froze and\u00a0barely engaged. Barcelos is on a four-fight win streak with strong volume and well-rounded skills. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a live-betting spot \u2014 if Jackson looks aggressive early, he\u2019s the side. If he\u2019s\u00a0tentative, Barcelos can take over<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marcus Buchecha -133 vs Ryan Spann +127\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bad matchup for Spann. He\u2019s the better striker but struggles with cardio and consistency.\u00a0 Buchecha should be able to take this to the ground, where he has a clear advantage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early rounds\u00a0may be competitive, but Buchecha pulls away as Spann fades. If betting Spann, it has to be by\u00a0finish<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rodolfo Vieira -277 vs Eric McConico +228\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These odds are too wide. Vieira is the better grappler, but he\u2019s struggled to impose his game\u00a0 against higher-level competition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

McConico looked competitive in his last fight and should have\u00a0the striking edge here. If he can defend early takedowns, Vieira becomes very vulnerable.\u00a0McConico is a live underdog<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sedriques Dumas +178 vs Jackson McVey -186\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a low-level fight. McVey is dangerous early but fades quickly, while Dumas has better\u00a0cardio. If Dumas survives the early storm, he should take over. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This fight likely doesn\u2019t go the\u00a0distance. Dumas by finish is the pick<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mayra Bueno Silva +330 vs Michelle Montague -431\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silva has lost four straight and hasn\u2019t shown much fight or urgency. Montague looked solid in\u00a0her debut and should have a major grappling advantage. Expect takedowns and control\u00a0throughout. Montague by decision<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jafel Filho -611 vs Cody Durden +455\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Durden is stepping in on short notice and has major cardio and defensive issues. Filho is\u00a0 relentless with takedowns and submission attempts. This should be one-way traffic. Filho by\u00a0submission<\/strong> is the easy pick.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Francis Marshall -459 vs Lucas Brennan +350\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brennan is very raw and relies almost entirely on early submissions. If he doesn\u2019t get it early, he\u00a0has little else to offer. Marshall should survive the early threat, reverse position, and likely get a\u00a0finish. Marshall is the pick<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Max Griffin +128 vs Victor Valenzuela -155\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Griffin is 40, inactive, and declining. Valenzuela isn\u2019t proven at a high level but has decent\u00a0striking fundamentals. Neither fighter is particularly appealing. Best bet is fight to go the\u00a0distance<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talita Alencar +200 vs Julia Polastri -265\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Polastri has the striking advantage, but her takedown defense is questionable. Alencar is\u00a0dangerous on the ground and can control or find a submission. This is a classic striker vs grappler\u00a0matchup. Dog or pass \u2014 Alencar is live<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UFC Fight Night Main Event: Aljamain Sterling +112 vs Youssef Zalal -138<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sterling relies heavily on wrestling but doesn\u2019t do much damage once he gets fights to the\u00a0 ground. Zalal has looked great since returning to the UFC, and his grappling is strong enough to\u00a0neutralize Sterling\u2019s wrestling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the feet, Zalal is clearly the better striker. The only concern is\u00a0the five-round distance, but Sterling\u2019s style likely won\u2019t drain him. Zalal by decision<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

**************************************************<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking for more free sports picks and sports betting tips?<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n