“Funkmaster” began to find his range with the right hand, however, feinting low and then coming over the top. Right about at the midway point of the first round, Sterling attempted his first takedown attempt of the fight and was stuffed despite a nice entry. A moment later, Sterling swept out Zalal’s base leg as “The Moroccan Devil” tried to throw a knee.

He landed in top position, fighting off a triangle choke attempt to maintain control.“Funkmaster” finished the first round on top.Sterling’s early round two takedown attempt was stuffed, and Zalal followed up with a couple nice punches. Sterling fired back with body punches and low kicks. Zalal had to fight off a couple more takedown attempts, but his jab was starting to touch the chin with good consistency.

He was able to pressure without getting floored … until a poorly timed spinning elbow gave Sterling the back! Zalal landed in a terrible position, eating punches and elbows.The former Bantamweight champion was up 2-0 after ten minutes.Sterling took a few shots on the way in to his round three takedown attempt, landing in a guillotine choke. It looked very tight, forcing Sterling to retreat to his back.

Zalal worked from top position but struggled to pass Sterling’s guard and was forced to fight off a triangle attempt. Eventually, he moved to side control and took the back! He finished the round holding the body triangle, making for a nice rebound round from the younger contender.Sterling sprinted hard to start round four!

He ran Zalal to the fence, threw some punches and low kicks, then scored a takedown right into back control. Sterling went to work with his ground strikes, hammering away at the side of the head. He then attempted an arm-in rear naked choke, which looked tight but didn’t force the tap.

Sterling moved into mount and really dominated positionally. Zalal was having an absolutely miserable time but did get back to his feet with 30 seconds remaining, only for Sterling to land some heavy blows before the bell.With five minutes remaining, Zalal needed a finish.Zalal came out aggressive in search of the comeback, sticking Sterling with a long right hand then timing a knee upstairs. When Zalal tried to surge forward, Sterling changed levels with a takedown attempt and slowed the action.

A lot of the clock burned away on that failed takedown attempt, and as soon as Zalal did escape, Sterling flurried and shot again. This time, he was able to complete the shot. One last time, Sterling moved to the back and locked in the body triangle to seal the victory.All three judges awarded Sterling the clear-cut decision win.This was a great performance from Sterling, who dealt with the rangy work of Zalal well.

He really took over in the championship rounds, digging deep to push a level of intensity that Zalal didn’t seem prepared to handle. Outside of that guillotine attempt in round three, Sterling never appeared to be in much trouble. Now 3-1 as a Featherweight, who should “Funkmaster” face next?Result: Sterling defeats Zalal via unanimous decisionFor complete UFC Vegas 116 results and play-by-play, click here.