UFC Vegas 116 — Interview with Youssef Zalal 🎙️🥊

Key Context

• Interviewer: Mike Bond
• Interviewee: Youssef Zalal — headlining UFC Vegas 116 (first main event for Zalal)
• Opponent: Aljamain Sterling (friend / past training partner)
• Event: Five-round main event on April 25 at the Apex (no full crowd)

Youssef’s Mindset & Emotions

• Excited & grateful — first-ever main event, intends to “steal the show.” 🌟
• Views the main event/five-round slot as the best-case scenario for making a statement.
• Emphasizes enjoying fight week and soaking in the opportunity.

Relationship with Aljamain Sterling

• They’ve been friends and trained together previously.
• Both hesitant initially about fighting each other, but agreed—career goals take precedence.
• Communication: they texted and accepted it as part of pursuing dreams. 💬

Promotion & Motivations

• Acknowledges Sterling’s promotional comments (suggesting UFC wanted him to lose) but doesn’t dwell on that.
• Focus: Zalal only cares about winning; will “do him” and let performance decide outcomes.

Fight Dynamics & Strategy

• Cage size (Apex, smaller cage) likely gives Sterling some advantage, but Zalal treats it as a chess match. ♟️
• Zalal believes opponent must bring their best; he will look for opportunities to finish (pick spots over five rounds or find a stoppage).
• When envisioning a finish, Zalal prefers submission over strikes — wants to add to the featherweight submission conversation. 🤼‍♂️

Records & Ambitions

• Mentions Charles Oliveira’s featherweight submission record and aims to climb submission ranks (wants two more to tie).
• Calls Oliveira a legend and is motivated to be in that conversation.

Career Trajectory & Title Aspirations

• Feels validated after comeback to UFC; sees this main event as “where it gets real.” ✅
• Long-term goal: become UFC world champion; has repeatedly stated ambition to be champion. 🏆
• Understands title path depends on performance, not guarantees — willing to fight multiple times if needed (compares to Poirier route).
• Open to whatever booking the UFC decides (e.g., if Volk vs. Movsar happens, Zalal will accept his place in line).

Closing Notes

• Zalal is focused on performing spectacularly to advance his position.
• Appreciative of the five-round main event opportunity despite limited crowd.
• Confident he’ll sign any future contract that moves him toward the title.

Emojis: 🎙️🥊🌟💬♟️🤼‍♂️🏆