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Alex Volkanovski Praises Rising UFC Featherweight Kevin Vallejos

Alex Volkanovski, the UFC featherweight champion, has expressed admiration for the young Argentine fighter Kevin Vallejos. At just 24 years old, Vallejos has quickly made a name for himself in the featherweight division with an undefeated 4-0 record inside the UFC since his debut last year.

Vallejos' Journey to UFC Success

Before entering the UFC, Vallejos appeared twice on Dana White's Contender Series. He lost a decision to Jean Silva in 2023 but bounced back by securing a UFC contract with a knockout victory over Cam Teague in 2024. His next big challenge will come at UFC Qatar, where he faces former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling. This fight could be a turning point that moves Vallejos closer to the featherweight elite.

Volkanovski's Thoughts on Vallejos and Other Contenders

"After Movsar, you’ve got your Jean Silvas, you’ve got your Aljamain (Sterlings), who are both pretty much in the exact same position. They’re the ones who stand out the most right now. … That’s another one – (Kevin Vallejos) there. So whether Kevin can get a title fight that quick and jump the line, I don’t know," Volkanovski shared ahead of his UFC 333 defense against Movsar Evloev.
"At the same time, Aljamain and Silva, they’re probably closest. But Kevin, he’s definitely someone – this is a test for him. You see a lot of guys who look good until they fight a veteran with fight IQ that’s calculated. Kevin is going to have a tough one here, but if he proves himself, he’s going to show that he deserves to be at the top."

Next Steps in the Featherweight Title Picture

If Volkanovski defeats Evloev, Jean Silva appears to be the likely next challenger. Still, Vallejos could claim that spot if he beats Sterling convincingly in Qatar. A win there might establish Vallejos as the front-runner for the next title shot, though Sterling will be determined to prevent that outcome.

  • Kevin Vallejos: 24 years old, from Argentina
  • UFC record: 4-0 since 2025
  • Dana White’s Contender Series: Lost to Jean Silva (2023), won vs. Cam Teague (2024)
  • Upcoming fight: vs. Aljamain Sterling at UFC Qatar
  • Volkanovski’s next defense: against Movsar Evloev at UFC 333

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