Kevin Vallejos has a chance to shine in the main event of this weekend’s UFC Fight Night against the aging and downward-trending Josh Emmett, who will need more than a vintage performance to turn back the surging star when the two face off inside the Apex.
Vallejos is a significant favorite in the UFC odds at -550, while Emmett is a +390 underdog. My Emmett vs. Vallejos predictions and free betting picks expect Vallejos to make the most of his main event debut when he takes on the hard-hitting Emmett.
Emmett vs Vallejos prediction and best bet
- My fight prediction: Vallejos moneyline (-550 at BET99)
- My best bet: Vallejos to win in Round 1 (+390 at BET99)
Fight analysis
The UFC clearly has something in Kevin Vallejos and has made this fight to give him a credible name to add to his resume, as well as giving him exposure by placing him in the main event.
The 24-year-old has won his last four after a Contender Series loss to Jean Silva, winning three of those four fights by knockout and looking better each time he steps into the octagon.
He comes forward with a lot of pressure and activity, landing 5.78 significant strikes per second and absorbing 4.71 in return, and he has shown legitimate stopping power and can keep the fight standing with an 83% takedown defense.
Josh Emmett hasn’t quite been the same since he lost an interim featherweight title fight to Yair Rodriguez in 2022. A horrible beating from Ilia Topuria might have sapped what was left of him, because aside from a one-punch KO win of Bryce Mitchell, he hasn’t looked good.
Slower with both his feet and hands, and all but ignoring his prestigious wrestling background, all Emmett has going for him is a right-hand that is dynamite when it lands. But Youseff Zalal showed no fear of it as he charged in and got a submission win in 98 seconds last October.
It isn’t often the UFC will put a decided mismatch in the main event of any card, but Vallejos is being primed for a win, and Emmett is the right man for the job. This is essentially Vallejos’ fight to lose as long as he doesn’t let his guard down.
Best bet analysis
There won’t be much Vallejos will need to do to impose his will on Emmett. His heavy hands and agility will be too much for the veteran to handle, and Vallejos’ demonstrated finishing skills indicate that this will be a short night.
My best bet is that Vallejos will stop Emmett in Round 1.
Josh Emmett vs Kevin Vallejos odds
 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Method of Victory | Emmett | Vallejos |
| To win outright | +390 | -550 |
| To win by KO/TKO | +900 | -105 |
| To win by decision | +1050 | +235 |
| To win by submission | +3300 | +525 |
| Total rounds | Over 3.5 -120 | Under 3.5 -110 |
Odds as of 3-14.
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Josh Emmett vs Kevin Vallejos tale of the tape
| Emmett | Vallejos | |
|---|---|---|
| 41 | Age | 24 |
| 5-foot-6 | Height | 5-foot-7 |
| Featherweight | Weight Class | Featherweight |
| 70 inches | Reach | 68 inches |
| 19-6 | Record | 17-1 |
| 7 | Wins by KO | 12 |
| 2 | Wins by submission | 2 |
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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