Alex Volkanovski Praises Rising UFC Featherweight Kevin Vallejos

UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski has expressed admiration for the promising young fighter Kevin Vallejos. At just 24 years old, Vallejos is an Argentine prospect making waves with a perfect 4-0 record inside the UFC since his debut last year.

Before joining the main roster, Vallejos appeared twice on Dana White’s Contender Series. Although he lost a decision to Jean Silva in 2023, he earned his UFC contract the following year with a knockout victory over Cam Teague.

Upcoming High-Stakes Fight

Vallejos is set for a major challenge next month at UFC Qatar, where he will face former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling. This fight could catapult Vallejos into the upper echelon of the featherweight division.

Volkanovski’s Comments on Vallejos’ Rise

“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 told MMAjunkie.com ahead of his title defense against Movsar Evloev at UFC 333.

“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 in Line for the Title Shot?

If Volkanovski defeats Evloev, the frontrunner for the next title shot would likely be Jean Silva. Still, Vallejos could disrupt the queue with a strong win over Sterling. Should Vallejos finish Sterling in Qatar, it would firmly establish him as a leading contender for the featherweight crown.

Sterling, of course, will aim to prevent that from happening and keep his own position secure.

Key Facts About Kevin Vallejos

• Age: 24
• Nationality: Argentina
• UFC Record: 4-0
• Previous Contender Series Fights: Lost to Jean Silva (2023), won by KO against Cam Teague (2024)
• Upcoming Fight: vs. Aljamain Sterling at UFC Qatar