UFC Vegas 116 results: Matches to make for ‘Sterling vs. Zalal’ main card winners

UFC Vegas 116 went own last night (Sat., April 25, 2026) inside Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, which saw Aljamain Sterling defeat Youssef Zalal via unanimous decision. In the co-main event of the evening, Joselyn Edwards defeated Norma Dumont, also via unanimous decision, while Ryan Spann kicked off the main card with a stellar knockout win over Marcus Buchecha (see it again here).

Winner: Aljamain Sterling

Who He Should Face Next: Yair Rodriguez

A fight between Sterling and Rodriguez seems to be the fight to make at the moment. Sterling is currently ranked No. 5, while Rodriguez is sitting just one spot in front of him at No.4. Diego Lopes (No. 2) is tagged to face Steve Garcia at UFC Freedom 250, while Lerone Murphy (No. 3), is coming off a tough loss to Movsar Evloev, who is now in line for the next shot at the title. Sterling wants Alexander Volkanovski next, but I just don’t see that happening. If he beat Rodriguez, then a title shot is next.

Winner: Joselyn Edwards

Who She Should Face Next: Raquel Pennington

Edwards secured the biggest win of her MMA career by defeating No. 3 ranked, Norma Dumont, via unanimous decision. It stands to reason the Edwards will now make a huge leap into the Top 5. That’s why a fight against Pennington could be a viable option. Pennington hasn’t competed since losing her Bantamweight strap to Julianna Pena in Oct. 2024. Ironically enough she was set to return against Dumont before she was forced out of the fight for undisclosed reasons in late 2025.

Winner: Rafa Garcia

Who He Should Face Next: Drew Dober

Garcia picked up a huge win after ending Alexander Hernandez’s win streak at six, which means another big fight could be in order and one against Dober just sounds like a lot of fun. Dober is coming off a big win of his own over Michael Johnson, knocking him out at UFC 326 (see it again here). This has banger written all over it and the winner could be looking at a spot in the Top 15.

Winner: Raoni Barcelos

Who He Should Face Next: Raul Rosas Jr.

Barcelos proved that age is nothing but a number as he continued his hot streak by defeating Montel Jackson via split decision, earning his fifth straight win. Since Jackson was ranked No. 14 coming into the fight, it stands to reason that Barcelo’s will take that spot. That means a fight against Rosas Jr. against could be appropriate. “El Nino Problema” is ranked No. 13 at the moment and is also on a five-fight win streak. It would be a battle between an aging grizzled veteran against a young rising contender. Book it.

Winner: Ryan Spann

Who He Should Face Next: Tyrell Fortune

Spann improved his record to 2-1 as a Heavyweight after sleeping Marcus Buchecha, winning two straight after losing his division debut fight. “Superman” seems to be very comfortable not having to cut weight, and the power is most definitely translating now that he’s a bit heavier. I wouldn’t mind a matchup between he and former Bellator MMA standout, Tyrell Fortune, who made a successful UFC debut last month by defeating Marcin Tybura.

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