← UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Vallejos
UFC Featherweight Main event

Josh Emmett VS Kevin Vallejos

Meta Apex, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.

Tale of the Tape

19-7-0 Record 18-1-0
41 Age 24
169 cm Height 170 cm
178 cm Reach 173 cm
orthodox Stance switch
47% Finish rate 83%
37% KO rate 72%
11% Sub rate 11%

Result Summary

Kevin Vallejos def. Josh Emmett TKO · R1 3:33

The main event featured a classic experience versus youth matchup, but the 24-year-old Kevin Vallejos made quick work of the veteran. Vallejos looked incredibly sharp from the opening bell, stalking Emmett from the center of the cage and utilizing exquisite timing to intercept Emmett's looping power shots. Just past the midway point of the first round, Vallejos caught Emmett biting down and floored him with a devastating right hook. Sensing the finish, Vallejos ruthlessly swarmed a bloody and defiant Emmett with a relentless avalanche of punches, knees, and elbows, forcing the referee to step in and call a stop to the action at the 3:33 mark of Round 1.

Fight Overview

This classic 'veteran vs. prospect' matchup sees perennial featherweight powerhouse Josh Emmett defending his ranking against 24-year-old rising Argentine star Kevin 'El Chino' Vallejos. Fresh off a spectacular December 2025 spinning backfist KO over Giga Chikadze, Vallejos is riding a massive wave of momentum into his first main event. Emmett, known for earth-shattering power, presents the ultimate litmus test for Vallejos's chin and defensive responsibility.

Keys to Victory

Josh Emmett

  1. Target the calf early to slow down Vallejos's lateral movement and force him to exchange in the pocket.
  2. Utilize the overhand right over Vallejos's jab, capitalizing on the young prospect's tendency to leave his chin exposed on entries.
  3. Initiate grappling sequences along the fence to test Vallejos's defensive wrestling and drain his gas tank in the later championship rounds.

Kevin Vallejos

  1. Establish the jab and utilize linear footwork to stay off the centerline, avoiding Emmett's looping power shots.
  2. Lean on youth and cardio by setting a high pace from round one, overwhelming Emmett with multi-strike boxing combinations.
  3. Exploit boxing fundamentals and mix in intercepting knees when Emmett dips his head to throw his signature overhand right.

Last 5 fights

Josh Emmett

  1. L Youssef Zalal Submission · R1 1:38 · 4 OCT 2025
  2. L Lerone Murphy Decision · R5 5:00 · 5 APR 2025
  3. W Bryce Mitchell KO · R1 1:57 · 16 DEC 2023
  4. L Ilia Topuria Decision · R5 5:00 · 24 JUN 2023
  5. L Yair Rodríguez Submission · R2 4:19 · 12 FEB 2023

Kevin Vallejos

  1. W Giga Chikadze TKO · R2 1:29 · 13 DEC 2025
  2. W Danny Silva Decision · R3 5:00 · 2 AUG 2025
  3. W Seung Woo Choi TKO · R1 3:09 · 15 MAR 2025
  4. W Cam Teague TKO · R1 2:23 · 24 SEPT 2024
  5. W Gonzalo Contreras KO · R2 4:23 · 2 MAR 2024

Related articles

AI-generated This analysis was generated with AI and may contain errors.

Free MMA picks game Get the app