As one of the rising talents in the UFC Featherweight division, Kevin Vallejos made light work of the experienced Josh Emmett, winning by first-round TKO in the UFC Fight Night Main event at the Meta Apex on Sunday morning.
Vallejos, 24, featured in the first main event of his UFC career with the 41-year-old American staring at him in the opposite corner.
However, in showcasing no stage fright, Vallejos was light on his first from the first buzzer and opened the bout with a high kick that was blocked by Emmett. While Emmett missed a couple of strikes in an attempt to close the distance, Vallejos connected with a left as his opponent fell to the canvas.
As Emmett recovered, the Argentine dropped his opposite number again just moments later, with a right hand that set-up the ground and pound. With Emmett in no man's land, the South American landed to great effect before the referee stopped the fight.
Speaking after the fight, Vallejos expressed that he is unconcerned about making call-outs and that he is set on improving as a fighter.
"I want to get better. There are things I want to work in camp,” Vallejos said.
“Little by little, I think I can give more than I gave tonight. I think I have much more to give and I want to make sure that I'm prepared for that, so I'll take on any challenge that's given to me."
In the co-main event, Gillian Robertson saw off Amanda Lemos by unanimous decision in the strawweight division. Robertson thus extended her winning streak to five fights as she hopes to earn a title shot in the near future.
UFC Fight Night Main Card results:
Kevin Vallejos defeats Josh Emmett by TKO, Round 1, 3:33
Gillian Robertson defeated Amanda Lemos by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Jose Miguel Delgado defeats Andre Fili by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Marwan Rahiki defeated Harry Hardwick by TKO (injury) at 5:00 of Round 2
Ion Cutelaba defeated Oumar Sy by submission (mounted guillotine choke) at 4:24 of Round 1
Charles Johnson (30-27, 29-28) defeats Bruno Silva (29-28) by split decision