Charles Oliveira’s Historic Submission Record Eyed by Rising Star Ahead of Aljamain Sterling Matchup

Charles Oliveira has the record for most submission wins at 145lbs, but Aljamain Sterling's next opponent wants to break it.

Charles Oliveira’s Historic Submission Record Eyed by Rising Star Ahead of Aljamain Sterling Matchup

Charles Oliveira (via MMA Mania)

In Short
  • Charles Oliveira holds the UFC record for most submission wins with 17.
  • Youssef Zalal aims to break Oliveira's submission record in his upcoming fight against Aljamain Sterling.
  • Sterling has never been submitted in his UFC career, making Zalal's goal challenging.

Former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira is the most prolific submission artist in UFC history. He holds the record for most submission wins all-time with 17, along with many divisional records. However, Aljamain Sterling‘s next opponent, Youssef Zalal, thinks he can match and break one of those records.

Oliveira doesn’t only hold the record for most submissions across weight classes. ‘Do Bronx’ also holds the record for the most submission wins in UFC featherweight and lightweight history. Though he shares the lightweight record with Jim Miller at 11, he is the undisputed submission king at 145 pounds with 6.

That said, Youssef Zalal isn’t very far behind. He is currently tied for second place with Daniel Pineda, Brian Ortega, Makwan Amirkhani, and Charles Skelly with 4 submission victories. But as he gears up to take on Aljamain Sterling this weekend, Zalal is looking to cement his place in UFC history.

In an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, the No. 7 ranked featherweight revealed that he wants to go for the record held by ‘Do Bronx’.

I really do believe this fight is not going five rounds…I want a sub. I want a sub. I want to beat that record. I want to beat that Charles Oliveira record and stuff like that.

Youssef Zalal wants to break Charles Oliveira’s submission record

A submission win over Sterling will mean Zalal would no longer be in a 5-way tie for second place. However, Sterling is one of the best grapplers in the UFC with an uncanny ability to take an opponent’s back.

So, if anything, Zalal will need to curb his enthusiasm and not get overzealous in trying to break Charles Oliveira’s record. After all, ‘Do Bronx’ achieved this feat by patiently picking his spots and pouncing on opportunities when they present themselves. However, Zalal revealed how this desire to chase such records originated.

Youssef Zalal reveals what prompted him to want to break Charles Oliveira’s record

It all began when Charles Oliveira dominated Max Holloway at UFC 326. While many were concerned with the quality of the fight, Zala’s mind was on something else. With both of them being former featherweights, their accolades at 145lbs were brought up during the build to their fight. It was during one of those displays that Zalal realized his name was right alongside Do Bronx’s.

Charles Oliveira and Youssef Zalal
Youssef Zalal wants to eclipse Charles Oliveira’s record [via UFC.com]

In an interview with MMA Junkie, Zalal revealed the exact reaction he had to seeing his name up there. He also shared how Aljamain Sterling plays into all of this.

I was like, ‘Damn, I see my name right there. Two more Youssef, you get tie.’ Nobody ever submitted Aljamain in his whole career… So, I think if I had to pick, I would pick that sub.

Youssef Zalal on deciding to go after Charles Oliveira’s record

Youssef Zalal’s release from the UFC seems like a distant memory at this point. ‘The Moroccan Devil’ has been incredible in his second UFC stint. However, breaking the 5-way deadlock at 145lbs by subbing Aljamain Sterling will not be an easy task.

Sterling has never been beaten by submission in the UFC. His two stoppage losses came via knockout, first to Marlon Moraes and the next in a title defense against Sean O’Malley.

Nonetheless, whoever wins this upcoming featherweight fight will probably be in the title picture soon. Sterling believes a win will open the door for a legend vs legend fight against Alexander Volkanovski. On the other hand, beating the No. 5 featherweight and going on a 6-fight win streak will also do wonders for Zalal’s title case. Simply put, a lot more is at stake than meets the eye at the Apex this weekend!

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