UFC Veteran Emmett Faces Rising Prospect Vallejos at UFC Vegas 114

41-year-old Emmett looks to snap losing skid against 24-year-old Vallejos in featherweight main event

Mar. 15, 2026 at 2:38am

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UFC Vegas 114 features a featherweight main event between veteran Josh Emmett and rising prospect Kevin Vallejos. Emmett, a 10-year UFC veteran, is looking to snap a four-loss-in-five-fight skid, while the 24-year-old Vallejos aims to continue his ascent up the 145-pound rankings with a win over the more experienced Emmett.

Why it matters

This fight represents a crossroads moment for both fighters. Emmett, a former contender, needs a win to keep his UFC roster spot, while Vallejos has a chance to score a career-defining victory over a respected veteran and cement his status as a top featherweight prospect.

The details

Emmett, 41, holds the UFC record for knockdowns in the featherweight division and is tied for the most consecutive fights with a knockdown at seven. However, he has lost four of his last five bouts and is in danger of being released by the promotion if he suffers another defeat. Vallejos, 24, is a rising star who nearly joined the UFC in 2023 and went 3-0 in his first year with the promotion in 2025, earning Breakout Fighter of the Year consideration.

  • Emmett will celebrate his 10-year anniversary with the UFC in May 2026.
  • Vallejos nearly joined the UFC in 2023 after a competitive bout on Contender Series, but punched his ticket a year later in 2024.

The players

Josh Emmett

A 41-year-old UFC featherweight veteran who holds the record for knockdowns in the division and is tied for the most consecutive fights with a knockdown at seven.

Kevin Vallejos

A 24-year-old rising featherweight prospect who went 3-0 in his first year with the UFC in 2025, earning Breakout Fighter of the Year consideration.

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The takeaway

This main event clash between the veteran Emmett and the rising prospect Vallejos represents a pivotal moment for both fighters' careers. Emmett needs a win to keep his UFC roster spot, while Vallejos has a chance to score a career-defining victory and cement his status as a top featherweight prospect.