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Kevin Vallejos predicts Jean Silva rematch will happen for UFC title

Kevin Vallejos predicts Jean Silva rematch will happen for UFC title

USA Today16-03-2025
LAS VEGAS – Kevin Vallejos beat SeungWoo Choi with a first-round TKO Saturday to open up the main card at UFC Fight Night 254 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Take a look inside the fight with Vallejos, whose lone loss came on DWCS to current UFC prospect Jean Silva – whom he called out.
Kevin Vallejos def. SeungWoo Choi
Result: Kevin Vallejos def. SeungWoo Choi via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:09
Updated records: Vallejos (15-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Choi (11-8 MMA, 4-7 UFC)
Key stats: Vallejos has 13 of his 15 wins by stoppage, including 11 knockouts.
Vallejos on the fight's key moment
'I honestly don't remember anything from the fight. I don't remember if I won in the first round, second round, w hat hand I hit him with – I don't know. I was in (another world). Then I looked around and everyone was so happy, so I was like, 'Oh, I guess we did something good.''
What a way to make your debut 👏
The 23 year old @ElChinoVallejos is leaving #UFCVegas104 with a first round TKO victory! pic.twitter.com/J857EnHHX4
— UFC (@ufc) March 15, 2025
Vallejos on being the latest prospect from Argentina
'One of my dreams truly is to be able to have the resources to open a gym in Argentina and do my full camps there. And not just that, but also be able to help other people in Argentina so we can develop (more fighters).
'This new generation of Argentinians coming in like myself, they're being seen ina. different way. I'd compare it to maybe the previous generation – Santiago Ponzinibbio, (Guido) 'Ninja' Cannetti. When they fought, I think people in Argentina looked at them as just people locking themselves in a cage and beating each other up. Now I think people seees the growth of the UFC as a new sport. I'm seeing a lot more newspapers, a lot more media covering MMA with this new generation of Argentinians.'
Vallejos on what he wants next
'I started feeling like a UFC fighter after my first loss ever to Jean Silva on the Contenders Series. I see him and how he's destroying everyone, and I was able to fight three rounds with him and even win a round. I was feeling like a UFC fighter there, and it showed me I do have what it takes to be here.
'It's super impressive. On top of it, I've spoken to Jean Silva. I've spoken to his team, and they're absolutely great people. They deserve everything they're achieving. … He's going to get his belt, and I'm happy for him. But I want my rematch. I want to fight against the best fighters, and he's the best. I want to show that I'm the best. He's going to win the title, and I'm going to take it from him.'
To hear more from Vallejos, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 254.
Gallery UFC Fight Night 254: Best photos from Las Vegas
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