Kevin Vallejos
El Chino
Argentina
Star performance in main event
Vallejos defeated Josh Emmett via TKO (punches) at 3:33 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It's clear as day that a victory over Emmett in the early days of 2026 doesn't mean half as much as it would have even a couple years ago, but the bottom line is that this was another stiff test for a rising star in Vallejos and he passed it with flying colors. Just a handful of months after knocking out Giga Chikadze, the 24-year-old did the same to Emmett. Vallejos not only has ridiculous power, but he's about as technical a striker on the feet as you will ever see from a young fighter. He doesn't rush when he has his opposition hurt, instead waiting for the precise correct time to strike. Now 4-0 with the UFC, the company should be doign whatever is necessary to get Vallejos out of the UFC Apex and in front of some live crowds. They may have a potential future superstar on their hands here.
It's clear as day that a victory over Emmett in the early days of 2026 doesn't mean half as much as it would have even a couple years ago, but the bottom line is that this was another stiff test for a rising star in Vallejos and he passed it with flying colors. Just a handful of months after knocking out Giga Chikadze, the 24-year-old did the same to Emmett. Vallejos not only has ridiculous power, but he's about as technical a striker on the feet as you will ever see from a young fighter. He doesn't rush when he has his opposition hurt, instead waiting for the precise correct time to strike. Now 4-0 with the UFC, the company should be doign whatever is necessary to get Vallejos out of the UFC Apex and in front of some live crowds. They may have a potential future superstar on their hands here.
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Draw Emmett in March
Vallejos will take on Josh Emmett in a featherweight matchup at UFC Vegas 114 on March 14, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Valljos has won all three of his UFC fights, most recently earning a signature victory with a bonus-winning stoppage over Giga Chikadze in December. He now gets an opportunity to continue his rise up the rankings against a big-name opponent in Emmett who has last four of his last five. Emmett, typically known for his power, will be 41 years old on fight night, and Vallejos will look to use his edge in volume striking to keep up his winning ways.
Valljos has won all three of his UFC fights, most recently earning a signature victory with a bonus-winning stoppage over Giga Chikadze in December. He now gets an opportunity to continue his rise up the rankings against a big-name opponent in Emmett who has last four of his last five. Emmett, typically known for his power, will be 41 years old on fight night, and Vallejos will look to use his edge in volume striking to keep up his winning ways.
Destroys Giga Chikadze
Vallejos defeated Giga Chikadze via KO (strikes) at 1:29 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas
ANALYSIS
A win over the now 37-year-old Chikadze doesn't mean as much as it did a few years ago, but Vallejos is very clearly the real deal and a very terrifying young man. It took the 24-year-old a round-plus to find his range, but once he did, one huge spinning back fist combined with some brutal follow-up shots produced one of the most vicious knockouts in recent memory. The finish would also go on to earn him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Now 3-0 in the UFC with two knockout wins, Vallejos is the exact type of young fighter the UFC should be promoting the heck out of. Get him out of the UFC Apex and in front of some massive live crowds, and let him do his thing.
A win over the now 37-year-old Chikadze doesn't mean as much as it did a few years ago, but Vallejos is very clearly the real deal and a very terrifying young man. It took the 24-year-old a round-plus to find his range, but once he did, one huge spinning back fist combined with some brutal follow-up shots produced one of the most vicious knockouts in recent memory. The finish would also go on to earn him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Now 3-0 in the UFC with two knockout wins, Vallejos is the exact type of young fighter the UFC should be promoting the heck out of. Get him out of the UFC Apex and in front of some massive live crowds, and let him do his thing.
To fight Giga Chikadze
Vallejos will fight Giga Chikadze at UFC Las Vegas 112 on Dec. 13, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Vallejos will look to win a third straight bout since earning a UFC contract, and he'll have the chance to do so against Giga Chikadze, who's dropped back-to-back fights. Vallejos had a Round 1 knockout in his debut and won his second bout via unanimous decision.
Vallejos will look to win a third straight bout since earning a UFC contract, and he'll have the chance to do so against Giga Chikadze, who's dropped back-to-back fights. Vallejos had a Round 1 knockout in his debut and won his second bout via unanimous decision.
Wins in main card opener
Vallejos defeated Danny Silva via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) at UFC Vegas 108 on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Vallejos entered as a betting favorite upwards of (-400) and looked the part, putting on a striking clinic. He landed the bigger blows in all three rounds, finishing with 90 significant strikes in the 15-minute affair, compared to 69 for Silva. It was only Silva's immaculate chin that kept him from picking up the finish. The 23-year-old prospect is now 2-0 with the UFC and deserves a step up in opponent the next time out.
Vallejos entered as a betting favorite upwards of (-400) and looked the part, putting on a striking clinic. He landed the bigger blows in all three rounds, finishing with 90 significant strikes in the 15-minute affair, compared to 69 for Silva. It was only Silva's immaculate chin that kept him from picking up the finish. The 23-year-old prospect is now 2-0 with the UFC and deserves a step up in opponent the next time out.
Next fight scheduled
Vallejos will face Danny Silva in a featherweight fight at UFC Vegas 108 on Aug. 2, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Vallejos will be facing his second UFC challenger after walking out victorious against Seungwoo Choi during his debut. El Chino is set to challenge Danny Silva, who is coming off back-to-back victories to kick off his UFC record, although, both have been via decision while Kevin's debut win came via TKO.
Vallejos will be facing his second UFC challenger after walking out victorious against Seungwoo Choi during his debut. El Chino is set to challenge Danny Silva, who is coming off back-to-back victories to kick off his UFC record, although, both have been via decision while Kevin's debut win came via TKO.