UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal (UFC Vegas 116)
Lightweight Bout – Main Card
Prelims: 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT
Main Card: 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT
Venue: Meta APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada
Broadcast: Paramount+

Fight Context and Fighter Records

This ranked lightweight clash headlines a deep main card on UFC Vegas 116, with the winner positioning themselves for a step up in the ultra-competitive 155-pound division. Garcia, the Mexican power grappler known as “Gifted,” rides momentum from back-to-back finishes and decisions. Hernandez, the American striker “El Gran Chango,” brings explosive knockout power and is on his longest win streak in years. Both men have shown finishing ability lately, making this a high-stakes matchup that could produce Fight of the Night.

Current records (as of April 2026):

Rafa Garcia (“Gifted”): 18-4-0 overall, 6-4-0 in the UFC (on a two-fight win streak).

Alexander Hernandez (“El Gran Chango”): 18-8-0 overall, 10-7-0 in the UFC (on a four-fight win streak, three finishes).

Recent Form

Garcia: The 31-year-old has rebounded strongly after a 2024 knockout loss to Grant Dawson. He earned a third-round TKO (elbows) over veteran Jared Gordon on September 13, 2025, and followed it with a dominant unanimous decision over Vinc Pichel on March 29, 2025. Garcia averages strong takedown pressure (2.5+ per fight) and has added legitimate KO power to his grappling base, though he can be hittable early.

Hernandez: The 33-year-old is rolling with four straight victories, including three stoppages. Most recently he starched Diego Ferreira in Round 2 (September 13, 2025) and knocked out Chase Hooper in Round 1 (August 16, 2025). He also outpointed Kurt Holobaugh earlier in 2025. Hernandez’s output is violent and forward-moving, but he has historically been vulnerable to sustained wrestling and volume in deeper waters.

Injury Report

Rafa Garcia: Fully healthy. No reported injuries or weight-cut issues. He has looked sharp in open workouts and media availability this week.

Alexander Hernandez: Fully cleared and healthy. Hernandez addressed a recent off-duty false accusation of fight-fixing (which was dropped with no charges or UFC discipline), but he has confirmed zero physical setbacks and has made weight cleanly in recent bouts. Both fighters are expected to enter 100% ready.

Fighter Matchups and Styles

Striking: Hernandez holds the clear edge in power, speed, and one-punch KO threat (multiple first-round finishes recently). Garcia is more technical at range with a crisp jab and body work but prefers to close distance.

Grappling: Garcia is elite here — strong chain wrestling, top control, and submission threat (9 career subs). Hernandez’s takedown defense has improved but remains around 60%; he scrambles well but can be worn down.

Pace and Cardio: Garcia excels in extended fights and has never been finished in his last six UFC bouts except once. Hernandez thrives in chaos and early exchanges but has faded late in past losses.

X-Factors: Garcia’s grappling vs. Hernandez’s explosive finishing ability. This is a classic wrestler-striker clash where early danger meets late control.

Fight History

First meeting between the two. Garcia has never been submitted in the UFC and owns a 55% finish rate. Hernandez has been finished only three times in his last 10 fights but has evolved into a more dangerous finisher since 2024. The bout was added to the card in recent weeks and fits perfectly as a high-action main-card opener.

FIGHT ODDS

Rafa Garcia                                         – 160

Alexander Hernandez                    + 135

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 24, 2026

Event: UFC Vegas 116: Sterling vs. Zalal

Main Card Start Time: 5:00 PM PDT

Venue: Meta APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada

This marks the UFC’s return to the APEX for a high‑stakes featherweight main event featuring a former champion versus a streaking contender.

Injury & Availability Report

No injuries have been reported for either fighter in the lead‑up to UFC Vegas 116. Both Sterling and Zalal completed media week obligations and are fully cleared for competition. (No explicit injury notes appear in any sourced reporting.)

Fighter Matchup Breakdown

Aljamain “Funk Master” Sterling (#5 Featherweight)

Record: 25‑5

Recent Form:

Defeated Brian Ortega via dominant unanimous decision at UFC Shanghai.

Lost to Movsar Evloev at UFC 310.

2–1 since moving to featherweight.

Experience Edge:

22 UFC fights vs. Zalal’s 12.

84 professional rounds—31 more than Zalal.

Four career 25‑minute fights; Zalal has never gone past three rounds.

Skill Profile:

Elite wrestling pedigree: 50 career UFC takedowns, multiple fights with 3+ takedowns.

Former UFC bantamweight champion with nearly 900 days atop the division.

Youssef “The Moroccan Devil” Zalal (#7 Featherweight)

Record: Surging with an eight‑fight winning streak spanning 1,200+ days.

Recent Form:

Submitted Josh Emmett in 98 seconds at UFC 320.

Dominated Calvin Kattar prior to that.

Career Arc:

Cut from UFC after 0‑3‑1 run; returned in 2024 and has been flawless since.

Wins over Emmett, Kattar, and Jack Shore.

Style Notes:

High fight IQ, rangy striking, improved grappling.

Predicts the fight won’t go five rounds due to stylistic chaos.

Betting Trends & Analytical Angles

Why Bettors Lean Zalal

Riding a long win streak with multiple finishes.

Younger, faster, and more dynamic at this stage.

Sterling has fought only three times since 2023 due to UFC‑management friction.

Why Sterling Is Still Live

Massive experience advantage.

Proven championship durability and five‑round cardio.

Superior wrestling and control metrics.

FIGHT ODDS

Aljamain Sterling             + 120

Youssef Zalal                      – 140

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 24, 2026

UFC Vegas 116 (UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal / UFC Fight Night 274) is scheduled at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada (Enterprise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas Valley), United States.

Prelims begin at 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT, with the main card starting at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT (7:00 PM CDT). The event streams live on Paramount+. This women’s strawweight bout opens the preliminary card (fight 1 of 13).

The card is headlined by a featherweight bout between former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling and surging contender Youssef Zalal. The bout you asked about—Talita Alencar vs. Julia Polastri (women’s strawweight, 115 lbs)—is a late addition that kicks off the entire show.

Injury Report

No injuries have been reported for Talita Alencar or Julia Polastri. Both fighters are expected to compete at full capacity. While the broader UFC Vegas 116 card has seen multiple late changes and withdrawals (including several other bouts adjusted in mid-April), this strawweight opener remains intact and on schedule.

Fighter Matchup: Talita Alencar vs. Julia Polastri (Women’s Strawweight – 3 Rounds)

Talita Alencar (“Problem Child,” Brazil, age 35)

Record: 7-1-1 (UFC: 3-1-1)

Height/Reach: 5’1″

Stance: Orthodox (grappling-heavy)

Recent Form (last 4 fights): Win (submission – rear-naked choke, Rd 3 vs. Ariane Carnelossi – Nov 1, 2025); Win (unanimous decision vs. Vanessa Demopoulos – Apr 5, 2025); Loss (unanimous decision vs. Stephanie Luciano – Aug 10, 2024); Win (split decision vs. Rayanne dos Santos – Dec 9, 2023).

Key Strengths: Elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist with strong submission game (multiple RNC finishes); excellent takedown defense and scrambling ability. Has never been finished professionally and averages solid control time on the mat.

Fight History Notes: Alencar entered the UFC with hype as a prospect and has gone 3-1-1 inside the Octagon, picking up back-to-back wins over solid competition (Demopoulos and Carnelossi). Her lone UFC loss came via decision to Luciano; she is 7-0-1 against everyone else and brings momentum from two straight victories.

Julia Polastri (“Psycho,” Brazil, age 28)

Record: 14-5-0 (UFC: ~3-2)

Height/Reach: 5’2″ (1″ height advantage)

Stance: Orthodox

Recent Form (last 4 fights): Win (KO/TKO – punches, Rd 3 vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz – Oct 11, 2025); Loss (unanimous decision vs. Loopy Godinez – Mar 29, 2025); Win (split decision vs. Cory McKenna – Oct 12, 2024); Loss (unanimous decision vs. Josefine Knutsson – Jun 15, 2024).

Key Strengths: Well-rounded striker with legitimate power (5 career KO/TKO wins, 36% of victories); dangerous on the feet and capable of grinding out decisions or finishing late. Complete skill set with no major holes and strong durability (never been submitted or knocked out).

Fight History Notes: Polastri has established herself as a ranked strawweight contender with notable UFC wins (including the highlight-reel TKO over Kowalkiewicz). She is 2-2 in her last four but has shown the ability to bounce back and perform against top competition.

Style Breakdown: A classic Brazilian strawweight clash between an elite grappler/submission threat (Alencar) and a powerful, well-rounded striker (Polastri). Both fighters are exceptionally durable—neither has ever been finished in their pro careers—setting up a potential “guaranteed war” that could go the distance or feature late fireworks if Polastri’s striking volume overwhelms Alencar’s takedown attempts. Alencar will look to close distance and drag it to the mat; Polastri will use her slight size edge and hands to keep it standing and rack up damage.

FIGHT ODDS

Talita Alencar                    + 190

Julia Polastri                      – 260

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 24, 2026

UFC Vegas 116 (UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal / UFC Fight Night 274) is scheduled at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada (Enterprise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas Valley), United States.

Prelims begin at 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT, with the main card starting at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT (7:00 PM CDT). The event streams live on Paramount+.

The card is headlined by a featherweight bout between former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling and surging contender Youssef Zalal. The bout you asked about—Max Griffin vs. Victor Valenzuela (welterweight, 170 lbs)—is on the preliminary card (a recent addition to bolster the lineup).

Injury Report

No injuries have been reported for Max Griffin or Victor Valenzuela. Both fighters are expected to compete at full capacity. This welterweight prelim is a late addition (booked in mid-April) to address card changes; the broader UFC Vegas 116 event has seen multiple adjustments and withdrawals (including prior flyweight and other bouts), but this specific matchup remains intact and on schedule.

Fighter Matchup: Max Griffin vs. Victor Valenzuela (Welterweight – 3 Rounds)

Max Griffin (“Pain,” USA, age 40, MMAGold Fight Team / Team Alpha Male)

Record: 20-12-0 (UFC: 8-10)

Height/Reach: 6’0″ / 76″

Stance: Orthodox

Recent Form (last 4 fights): Loss (split decision vs. Chris Curtis – Jul 12, 2025); Loss (submission – RNC, Rd 3 vs. Michael Chiesa – Dec 7, 2024); Win (split decision vs. Jeremiah Wells – Feb 10, 2024); Loss (unanimous decision vs. Michael Morales – Jul 1, 2023).

Key Strengths: Veteran striker/wrestler with 9 KO/TKO wins and solid durability (only 1 KO loss in UFC). Averages 3.76 significant strikes per minute with 47% accuracy; strong takedown defense (70%) and experience against top competition. Reliable in “welcome to the UFC” spots.

Fight History Notes: Long-time UFC welterweight (debut 2016) known for gritty, high-volume performances and frequent split decisions. On a two-fight skid but has wins over names like Wells, Tim Means, and Carlos Condit. Serves as a tough test for any newcomer.

Victor Valenzuela (“Psicosis,” Chile/USA, age 32, MMA Masters)

Record: 13-4-0 (UFC debut)

Height/Reach: 5’9″ / 71.5″ (Griffin has 4.5″ reach advantage)

Stance: Orthodox

Recent Form (last 4 fights): Win (TKO – punches, Rd 2 vs. Yusaku Kinoshita – Mar 29/30, 2026, Shooto); Loss (TKO – punches, Rd 2 vs. Michael Oliveira – Oct 13/14, 2025, DWCS); Win (KO/TKO – knee, Rd 1 vs. Bruce Whitehead – Jun 21/22, 2025, Fury FC); Win (TKO – leg kick/punches, Rd 1 vs. Dustin Parrish – Mar 28/29, 2024, LFA).

Key Strengths: Explosive power striker with 7 KO/TKO wins (54% of victories) and 2 submissions. Aggressive finisher who ends fights early (multiple first-round stoppages); rebounded strongly after DWCS loss.

Fight History Notes: Regional standout (LFA, Fury FC, Combate Global) who earned a UFC contract via DWCS opportunity despite the loss to Oliveira. Making his Octagon debut on relatively short notice against a seasoned veteran.

Style Breakdown: Orthodox striker vs. striker/wrestler welterweight bout featuring a high-volume veteran (Griffin) against a younger, power-punching debutant (Valenzuela). Griffin’s experience, reach, and wrestling should allow him to control range and mix levels, while Valenzuela’s finishing threat (heavy hands and early aggression) makes him dangerous early. Expect a stand-up heavy scrap with potential for Griffin to grind or Valenzuela to land a highlight-reel KO. This is a classic “prove yourself” matchup for the newcomer.

FIGHT ODDS

Max Griffin                         + 130

Victor Valenzuela            – 160

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 24, 2026

UFC Vegas 116 (UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal / UFC Fight Night 274) is scheduled at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada (Enterprise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas Valley), United States.

Prelims begin at 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT, with the main card starting at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT (7:00 PM CDT). The event streams live on Paramount+.

The card is headlined by a featherweight bout between former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling and surging contender Youssef Zalal. The bout you asked about—Francis Marshall vs. Lucas Brennan (lightweight, 155 lbs)—is a last-minute addition to the preliminary card (approximately fight 3–4 of 13). Brennan signed with the UFC and accepted the fight on five days’ notice after the promotion scrambled to bolster the card.

Injury Report

No injuries have been reported for Francis Marshall or Lucas Brennan. Both fighters are expected to compete at full capacity. This matchup itself is a late addition to address card thinning; the broader UFC Vegas 116 event has seen multiple late changes and withdrawals (including Lucas Rocha’s injury pullout from a flyweight bout and prior adjustments elsewhere), but this lightweight prelim remains confirmed and on schedule.

Fighter Matchup: Francis Marshall vs. Lucas Brennan (Lightweight – 3 Rounds)

Francis Marshall (“Fire,” USA, age 27, Pellegrino MMA)

Record: 9-3-0 (UFC: 4-3-0)

Height/Reach: 5’9″ / 72″

Stance: Orthodox

Recent Form (last 4 fights): Win (submission – rear-naked choke, Rd 1 vs. Erik Silva – Feb 28, 2026); Loss (split decision vs. Mairon Santos – Mar 8, 2025); Win (split decision vs. Dennis Buzukja – Aug 24, 2024); Loss (KO/TKO – elbows, Rd 1 vs. Isaac Dulgarian – Aug 12, 2023).

Key Strengths: Well-rounded with 5 submission wins and 1 KO/TKO; solid takedown offense (2.86 TD avg.) and durability in tough spots. Has shown finishing ability early and the ability to grind decisions.

Fight History Notes: Entered via DWCS and has mixed results in the UFC (wins over Silva, Buzukja, Rojo; losses to higher-level strikers/wrestlers). Coming off a quick first-round sub win and motivated to build momentum in a short-notice spot for the opponent. Trains out of New Jersey.

Lucas Brennan (“Skywalker,” USA, age 25, Next Generation MMA / Syndicate MMA)

Record: 11-2-0 (UFC debut; ex-Bellator/PFL/XKO)

Height/Reach: 5’10” / 71″

Stance: Not specified (grappling-heavy)

Recent Form (last 4 fights): Win (submission – rear-naked choke, Rd 1 vs. Joshua Weems – Oct 10, 2025); Win (submission – rear-naked choke, Rd 1 vs. Austin Coleman – May 23, 2025); Loss (split decision vs. Mauricio Gomez – Dec 15, 2024); Loss (unanimous decision vs. Dimitre Ivy – Apr 4, 2024).

Key Strengths: Elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu background (multiple BJJ world finalist/champion pedigree); 8 career submissions (73% of wins), many first-round finishes. Son of former UFC veteran Chris Brennan; powerful grappler who can end fights quickly on the mat.

Fight History Notes: Strong early Bellator run (9-0 with 8 finishes) before PFL losses by decision. Rebounded with two quick subs in regional XKO bouts in 2025. Making UFC debut on extremely short notice; first father-son duo in the promotion with his dad.

Style Breakdown: This is a veteran-vs.-prospect grappler clash with a massive experience and preparation edge for Marshall. Brennan’s elite BJJ and finishing rate are dangerous, but his recent decision losses, striking limitations, and five-days’ notice make it a tough ask against a battle-tested UFC lightweight who just scored a first-round sub. Expect Marshall to use pressure and wrestling to neutralize Brennan’s submissions while looking to capitalize on any early mistakes or fatigue.

FIGHT ODDS

Francis Marshall               – 550

Lucas Brennan                  + 425

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 24, 2026

UFC Vegas 116 (UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal / UFC Fight Night 274) is scheduled at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada (Enterprise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas Valley), United States.

Prelims begin at 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT, with the main card starting at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT (7:00 PM CDT). The event streams live on Paramount+.

The card is headlined by a featherweight bout between former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling and surging contender Youssef Zalal. The bout you asked about—Jafel Filho vs. Cody Durden (flyweight, 125 lbs)—is on the preliminary card. This is a last-minute replacement: Filho was originally scheduled to face Lucas Rocha, who withdrew due to an undisclosed injury; Durden stepped in on six days’ notice.

Injury Report

No injuries reported for Jafel Filho or Cody Durden. Both are expected to compete at full capacity. Durden is coming in healthy on short notice (his second such appearance recently). The broader UFC Vegas 116 card has been hit by multiple late changes and withdrawals (including Rocha’s injury, prior issues with Norma Dumont’s matchup, Marcus Buchecha’s original opponent, and others), but this flyweight prelim remains confirmed and on schedule.

Fighter Matchup: Jafel Filho vs. Cody Durden (Flyweight – 3 Rounds)

Jafel Filho (“Pastor,” Brazil, age 32, Nova União)

Record: 17-4-0 (UFC: 3-2)

Height/Reach: 5’7″ / 69″

Stance: Orthodox (grappling-heavy)

Recent Form (last 4 fights): Win (submission – Kimura, Rd 1 vs. Clayton Carpenter – Oct 11, 2025); Loss (unanimous decision vs. Allan Nascimento – May 31, 2025); Win (submission – RNC, Rd 1 vs. Ode Osbourne – Mar 16, 2024); Win (submission – arm-triangle, Rd 1 vs. Daniel Barez – Jul 22, 2023).

Key Strengths: Elite submission specialist (11 career subs, 9 in recent wins); dangerous finisher who ends fights early (8 of last 10 wins by stoppage). Strong Brazilian jiu-jitsu pedigree, capable of scrambling and capitalizing on openings. Also has KO power (5 career KOs/TKOs).

Fight History Notes: Entered UFC via Dana White’s Contender Series (KO win). Quick finishes against solid competition (Carpenter, Osbourne, Barez), but losses to elite grapplers (Mokaev by RNC in debut; Nascimento by decision). Riding momentum from the Carpenter sub and looking to climb the flyweight ranks.

Cody Durden (“Custom Made,” USA, age 35, American Top Team)

Record: 17-10-1 (UFC: 6-8-1)

Height/Reach: 5’7″ / (comparable)

Stance: Southpaw

Recent Form (last 5 fights): Loss (unanimous decision vs. Nyamjargal Tumendemberel – Mar 7, 2026); Loss (vs. Allan Nascimento – Nov 2025); Loss (vs. Jose Ochoa – Jun 2025); Loss (vs. Joshua Van – Dec 2024); Win (vs. Matt Schnell – Sep 2024).

Key Strengths: Gritty veteran with solid wrestling pressure and durability; capable of grinding out rounds when healthy. Wins over names like Charles Johnson and Schnell earlier in UFC run.

Fight History Notes: Long-time UFC flyweight who has alternated streaks. Currently on a four-fight losing skid and 1-6 in his last seven UFC appearances (promotional record now 6-8-1). Short-notice specialist but entering with significant momentum issues.

b Flyweight clash pitting an elite submission threat (Filho) against a slumping veteran wrestler/striker (Durden) on short notice. Filho’s grappling should dominate once the fight hits the mat; Durden’s pressure and takedown attempts may struggle against Filho’s scrambles and finishing ability—especially coming in cold after a four-fight skid. Expect Filho to hunt early finishes or control the pace on the ground. Short-notice factor heavily favors the fresher, higher-finishing fighter.

FIGHT ODDS

Jafel Filho           – 650

Cody Durden     + 475

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 24, 2026

UFC Vegas 116 (UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal / UFC Fight Night 274) is scheduled at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada (Enterprise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas Valley), United States.

Prelims begin at 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT, with the main card starting at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT (7:00 PM CDT). The event streams live on Paramount+.

The card is headlined by a featherweight bout between former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling and surging contender Youssef Zalal. The bout you asked about—Sedriques Dumas vs. Jackson McVey (middleweight, 185 lbs)—is on the preliminary card (approximately fight 6 of 13).

Injury Report

No injuries have been reported for Sedriques Dumas or Jackson McVey. Both fighters are expected to compete at full capacity. While the broader UFC Vegas 116 card has seen last-minute additions and some other bouts impacted by injuries or withdrawals (e.g., changes involving Jafel Filho and others), this specific middleweight preliminary bout remains intact and on schedule.

Fighter Matchup: Sedriques Dumas vs. Jackson McVey (Middleweight – 3 Rounds)

Sedriques Dumas (“The Reaper,” USA, age 30, Team Remedy BJJ & MMA)

Record: 10-4-0 (1 NC) (UFC: 3-4-0, 1 NC)

Height/Reach: 6’2″ / 79″

Stance: Orthodox

Recent Form (last 4 fights): Loss (submission, guillotine choke, Rd 2 vs. Donte Johnson – Nov 1, 2025); No Contest (low blow/injury vs. Zach Reese – Sep 13, 2025); Loss (KO/TKO, punches, Rd 1 vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk – Apr 12, 2025); Win (unanimous decision vs. Denis Tiuliulin – Aug 3, 2024).

Key Strengths: Versatile with 4 KO/TKO wins, 2 submissions, and 4 decisions in his pro career. UFC experience edge; can go the distance and mix striking/takedowns (e.g., 95 significant strikes landed vs. Tiuliulin).

Fight History Notes: Dumas entered the UFC in 2023 with hype but has struggled recently, going 1-3-1NC in his last five UFC appearances with multiple early finishes against him. Notable wins include Cody Brundage (UD) and Denis Tiuliulin; he has been finished three times in his last four outings. This is a must-win to remain on the roster.

Jackson McVey (“The Moose,” USA, age 27, The MMA Lab)

Record: 6-2-0 (UFC: 0-2)

Height/Reach: 6’4″ / 77″ (2″ height advantage)

Stance: Southpaw

Recent Form (last 3 fights): Loss (submission, rear-naked choke, Rd 2 vs. Zach Reese – Nov 8, 2025); Loss (submission, armbar, Rd 1 vs. Brunno Ferreira – Jul 19, 2025); Win (TKO, knees/punches, Rd 1 vs. Mataeo Garner – Jun 13, 2025, LFA).

Key Strengths: Elite finisher with 3 KO/TKO and 3 submission wins (all pro wins end early; 6 first-round finishes career-wide). Powerful southpaw striker with heavy hands (averaged 5.9 significant strikes/min in recent UFC outing) and grappling threat.

Fight History Notes: McVey debuted in the UFC in 2025 after a dominant LFA run (multiple first-round finishes). He is 0-2 in the Octagon, both losses by submission, but showed striking volume before getting caught. Seeking his first UFC win in a high-stakes spot.

Style Breakdown: Southpaw vs. orthodox middleweight clash featuring a high-finishing-rate prospect (McVey) against a more experienced but recently vulnerable veteran (Dumas). McVey’s early chaos and finishing ability (heavy hands + subs) contrast with Dumas’ experience and ability to mix strikes/takedowns, but Dumas has been finished in three of his last four bouts. Both fighters are coming off submission losses in late 2025 and enter with career pressure—McVey for his first UFC victory, Dumas to avoid a potential cut. Expect early aggression.

FIGHT ODDS

Sedriques Dumas             + 170

Jackson McVey                  – 200

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 24, 2026

UFC Vegas 116 (UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal / UFC Fight Night 274) is scheduled at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada (Enterprise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas Valley), United States.

Prelims begin at 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT, with the main card starting at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT (7:00 PM CDT). The event streams live on Paramount+.

The card features a featherweight main event between former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling and surging contender Youssef Zalal. The bout you asked about—Rodolfo Vieira vs. Eric McConico (middleweight, 185 lbs)—sits on the preliminary card (approximately fight 6 of 12).

Injury Report

No injuries have been reported for Rodolfo Vieira or Eric McConico. Both fighters are expected to compete at full capacity. The broader UFC Vegas 116 card has seen several last-minute changes and withdrawals due to injuries (e.g., involving other bouts like Norma Dumont’s matchup and a Marcus Buchecha fight), but this specific middleweight preliminary bout remains intact and on schedule.

Fighter Matchup: Rodolfo Vieira vs. Eric McConico (Middleweight – 3 Rounds)

Rodolfo Vieira (Brazil, age ~36, The Fighting Nerds)

Record: 11-4-0 (UFC: ~6-4)

Height/Reach: 6’0″ / ~73″

Stance: Orthodox

Recent Form (last 3 fights): Loss (KO/TKO, head kick, Rd 3 vs. Bo Nickal – Nov 15, 2025, UFC 322); Win (unanimous decision vs. Tresean Gore – Aug 2, 2025); Loss (unanimous decision vs. Andre Petroski – Feb 15, 2025).

Key Strengths: Elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu pedigree (5-time world champion, ADCC gold medalist). 9 of his 11 career wins are by submission (primarily arm-triangle chokes). He is a dangerous finisher who can dominate on the mat and has shown solid takedown defense/grappling control in recent outings.

Fight History Notes: Vieira entered the UFC with massive hype as a BJJ wizard. He has bonus-winning submissions (e.g., vs. Armen Petrosyan, Cody Brundage, Dustin Stoltzfus) but has struggled against elite wrestlers/strikers recently, including his first career KO loss to Nickal. He is coming off back-to-back losses before the Gore win and is motivated to rebound.

Eric McConico (USA, age ~35, The MMA Lab)

Record: 10-4-1

Height/Reach: 6’0″ / 77″ (4-inch reach advantage)

Stance: Not specified in recent data (orthodox common)

Recent Form (last 3 fights): Loss (KO/TKO, punch, Rd 3 vs. Baisangur Susurkaev – Nov 15, 2025, UFC 322); Win (split decision vs. Cody Brundage – Aug 9, 2025); Loss (KO/TKO, Rd 2 vs. Nursulton Ruziboev – Feb 22, 2025).

Key Strengths: Serviceable striker with power; 4 KO/TKO wins and 3 submissions career-wide. He has shown durability and the ability to grind out decisions (his only UFC win was a split decision over Brundage, whom Vieira also beat).

Fight History Notes: McConico has alternated wins and losses in the UFC, with both recent losses coming by KO/TKO. He ended a five-fight win streak with those setbacks and is 1-2 in his last three UFC appearances. He has never been submitted professionally.

Style Breakdown: This is a classic grappler-vs.-striker/decision-maker matchup. Vieira’s elite BJJ should give him a massive edge once the fight hits the mat, where McConico has shown vulnerability. McConico’s reach and striking could keep it standing early, but his recent KO losses raise red flags against Vieira’s pressure. Both men are coming off knockout losses on the same November 2025 card (UFC 322), which adds an intriguing mental/comeback narrative.

Rodolfo Vieira to win by submission / Under 2.5

FIGHT ODDS

Rodolfo Vieira                   – 250

Eric McConico                   + 200

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 24, 2026