Aljamain Sterling, a former bantamweight titleholder with a record of 25 wins and 5 losses, is preparing for a pivotal fight against fellow contender Youssef Zalal at UFC Fight Night 274 in Las Vegas. Sterling, who is aiming to capture the featherweight title, believes a strong performance could earn him a shot at the current champion, Alexander Volkanovski. He expressed confidence in his grappling skills, predicting a third-round finish via rear-naked choke. Sterling has not fought since a unanimous decision victory over Brian Ortega in August and is eager to prove his worth in the octagon. Meanwhile, Zalal, with a record of 18 wins, 5 losses, and 1 draw, is riding a wave of momentum, having won all five of his fights since returning to the UFC in February 2024. Sterling acknowledges the challenge posed by Zalal, who has never been finished in a fight, but is determined to make a statement and solidify his claim for a title shot.