UFC prospect Kevin Vallejos surprised by MMA fanbase's high interest in his young career
UFC debutants, more often than not, go unnoticed – or at least generate low interest among the general MMA fan base.
However, 23-year-old rookie Kevin Vallejos was one of the big attractions at UFC Fight Night 254 this past Saturday. Vallejos (15-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) lived up to his hype with a first-round TKO win over SeungWoo Choi in a highly anticipated debut in Las Vegas.
The Argentinian generated a lot of expectations ahead of his first trip to the octagon, as he had viciously put away his opponent in the first round at Dana White Contender Series in September. The win earned him a contract with the promotion.
“The truth is that the level of attention surprises me because there were big expectations and a lot of people were talking about it,” Vallejos told Hablemos MMA in Spanish. “I don’t know why. I’m still surprised at the amount of people that have sent me messages and how many posts are out there about me debuting. But the truth is that I’m very happy about it because it speaks to the work that I’ve been doing every fight, just trying to show that I’m made for the UFC and up to the level to compete in the division.”
Vallejos is also the only man who’s been able to go the distance with Jean Silva, who’s been running through the UFC featherweight division. Vallejos and Silva had a wild battle at DWCS in 2023. Silva moved into the UFC, while Vallejos suffered his first and only defeat and had to go back to the regional scene, where pick up two more TKO wins before earning another shot at DWCS.
The tough fight with Silva, plus his finishing style, has been key in drawing interest this early in his UFC run.
“I think it’s because of the performances that Jean Silva is having – that’s helping me,” Vallejos said. “The fact that he went three rounds with me and then after that he’s finishing everybody in the first – I think it’s due to that, I think.
“Maybe I do have a style that people like – I don’t know. To be honest, I’ve never thought about it. I’m just happy that people are supporting me and showing me love, so the why doesn’t matter. I just care about the support and the trust people have put on me.”
Being in the UFC, having a lot of attention, and fighting could be a lot to a 23-year-old. However, Vallejos doesn’t feel pressured by it, but motivated.
“I like it because it makes me think, ‘OK, there’s a lot of people behind me. I can’t let them down. I have to show up,'” Vallejos said. “You also have to learn how to handle it all with your work with your psychologist, your team – you’re able to properly handle the pressure.”