Youssef Zalal hasn’t been screaming for a title shot just yet, but his upcoming opponent Aljamain Sterling has definitely let it be known that he believes he should be fighting for gold sooner than later.
Ahead of their main event clash at UFC Vegas 116 on Saturday, Zalal acknowledged that the hierarchy for a title shot at featherweight is still technically wide open because nobody has actually been booked against reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski. For his part, Sterling has been quite vocal about his desire for a title shot, although he’s only riding a one-fight win streak ahead of his showdown against Zalal this weekend.
But Zalal understands why Sterling — who turns 37 in July — has been so adamant about getting that opportunity at this stage of his career.
“I’m the obstacle to see who exactly is going to get the title shot. It’s respect,” Zalal told MMA Fighting. “I don’t blame him, let me just say this. Because of the age that he’s at and how much time he has left, I don’t think I can blame him and I still think he’s the most dangerous oldest guy in that division. Him and [Alexander Volkanovski] I think they’re [two] of the most dangerous guys. Just because they’re so good at one thing or they’re so good at everything.
“But that’s his life. I don’t know what his life is. All I can do is focus on me and focus on what he’s going to bring to table and what I bring to the table as well. That’s my main focus.”
A loss would be devastating for Sterling’s hope to jump into title contention, but the same could be said for Zalal, especially after he’s built an impressive five-fight win streak since returning to the UFC. Zalal has beaten a pair of top 15 ranked fighters in his past two outings, and Sterling would serve as the third if he wins again on Saturday.
That said, Zalal acknowledges that winning isn’t always good enough, especially when it comes to how the UFC picks and chooses who gets the next title shot.
“I’m trying to steal that show before anybody else does,” Zalal said. “That’s my plan. I think that’s what I’m looking for. The Josh Emmett thing, I go out and submit him and then Kevin [Vallejos] just knocked him out. So that steals the show a little bit.
“So I’ve got to go out show that show! I think it’s the battle of that game right now that’s going on. I think it’s the golden ticket to my title shot.”
On paper, Zalal and Sterling are two of the top grapplers in the featherweight division and often times that leads to a striking battle because neither fighter wants to give up an inch on the ground.
While he’s ready for anything and everything, Zalal admits it would mean a little bit more if he could go out there and dominant the grappling exchanges with Sterling. The real exclamation point on top would be securing a submission and becoming the first person to tap out Sterling or put him to sleep.
If he’s trying to jump the line into title contention with one more win, Zalal couldn’t imagine a better way to get there than finishing Sterling via submission.
“For me, this one makes me excited,” Zalal said. “That’s that the puzzle is. I want to be the first guy to submit him. That’s my thing. That’s what excites me about this whole thing.
“We’re in a delusional sport sometimes but you’ve also got to be real. It’s a five-round fight. I’m ready for the five rounds. I’m going to be ready for the grappling. I’m going to be ready to test my grappling and test my striking. What a story would that be! I submitted Josh Emmett, only the second guy to do it. Submitted Billy [Quarantillo], the only guy to do it to this day. [Submitting] Aljamain Sterling, I’d be the only guy to ever do it. I think the book would be beautiful.”
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