UFC featherweight Kevin Vallejos has publicly shared his suggested matchmaking for the top of the featherweight division. He proposes Alexander Volkanovski versus Movsar Evloev, Charles Oliveira versus Aljamain Sterling, and Yair Rodriguez versus himself. The post does not clarify whether these are official bouts or simply Vallejos's personal preferences. No timeline or event details were provided. The proposal indicates Vallejos's interest in facing a top-ranked opponent like Rodriguez.
UFC featherweight Kevin Vallejos has gone public with his preferred blueprint for the top of the 145-pound division, laying out three matchups he believes should be made next.
The 24-year-old Argentine, fighting out of Brothers of Life MMA, carries an 18-1-0 record and has quickly established himself as one of the more aggressive strikers in the featherweight pool. Fighting out of a switch stance at five-foot-seven with a 68-inch reach, Vallejos lands an eye-catching 6.12 significant strikes per minute — a rate that reflects his relentless output style. His proposal names Yair Rodriguez as his own preferred opponent, signaling that he is targeting the upper tier of the division.
For the featherweight title picture, Vallejos suggests Alexander Volkanovski face the division's top-ranked contender, Movsar Evloev. The unbeaten Russian, now 20-0-0 at 32 years old, trains out of American Top Team and has built his reputation on relentless wrestling, averaging 4.78 takedowns per 15 minutes while remaining undefeated throughout his entire professional career.
The third bout in Vallejos's vision would send Charles Oliveira — currently listed at featherweight rank three — against former champion Aljamain Sterling. Oliveira, 36, carries a 37-11-0 record and brings a famously complete submission game, averaging 2.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes alongside 2.22 takedowns per 15 minutes. The Brazilian, training out of Chute Boxe Diego Lima, also sits at number 11 in the pound-for-pound rankings.
Why it matters
- Vallejos calling out Rodriguez is a direct statement of intent from one of featherweight's most active young strikers
- A Volkanovski vs. Evloev pairing would pit the former champion against the division's sole unbeaten top contender
- No official confirmation of any of the three bouts has been provided, and no timeline or event details accompanied the proposal
Alexander Volkanovski vs Movsar Evloev
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