This is the live blog for Josh Emmett vs. Kevin Vallejos, the featherweight main event for UFC Vegas 114 on Saturday at the UFC APEX.
In May, Emmett will celebrate his 10-year anniversary with the UFC, and in his decade in the octagon, the 41-year-old has accomplished a lot. Emmett currently holds the UFC record for knockdowns in the 145-pound division and is also tied for the record for most consecutive bouts with a knockdown at seven, on top of having 10 wins in the promotion. But despite his accomplishments, Emmett is currently on the worst run of his career, having lost four of his past five fights, and another loss may send the knockout artist packing from the UFC.
One of the top prospects in MMA right now, Vallejos is still just 24 years old and already ranked No. 14 in the UFC’s featherweight division. “El Chino” nearly joined the UFC in 2023 after a competitive bout with Jean Silva on Contender Series, but punched his ticket a year later, and went 3-0 in his first year in the octagon last year, earning Breakout Fighter of the Year consideration, a ranking, and now this opportunity to launch into the featherweight Top 10.
Check out the Emmett vs. Vallejos live blog below.
I’m not going to lie to y’all, UFC Vegas 114 has been great. This has easily been the most fun fight card of 2026 so far. Almost every fight was either a back-and-forth war or a cool finish. Can Emmett and Vallejos close the show in style? Let’s hope so.
Vallejos is out first, draped in the Argentinian flag, and he’s all smiles. He also appears to be in tremendous shape.
Emmett out last, and he seems fired up. He’s hitting himself and almost stomping his way to the cage. And considering he’s 41, he is in incredible shape.
Emmett is 17 years older than Vallejos, and has a 2-inch reach advantage, but Vallejos is a huge betting favorite at -550, with the comeback on Emmett at +400.
Mike Bell, Sal D’Amato, and Ron McCarthy are the judges. Herb Dean is the referee. Joe Martinez gets things going and the APEX does its best to make some noise.
Emmett and Vallejos meet in the middle for final instructions and touch gloves. It’s game time.
Both men out in orthodox. Vallejos holding the center with a high guard, Emmett boucing around the outside, keeping a very long distance to start. Vallejos tests the waters with a high kick early. Emmett tries to leap in with a jab, but Vallejos counters with a right as he comes in. Emmett back to th eoutside and moving a lot. Vallejos looking very patient, and it pays off as Vallejos lands an uppercut and right hand as Emmett jumped in.
Big left hook to the body knocks Emmett off balance! Emmet back up but Vallejos on him with an elbow and opesn a cut on Emmett. Vallejos is putting an immense amount of pressure on Emmett without even trying. He’s cutting the cage beautiful and just easing into murder range. And he slips a pucnh and cracks Emmett again. Emmett out of sorts early.
OH!!!! Emmett came in and tried to exchange and Vallejos dropped him! Right hook on the button! Emmett covering up but Vallejos is all over him! Big shots on the ground! Emmett up to his feet! Big swing but Vallejos slips out! And he’s right back on him! Emmett against the fence and covering up! Knees! OHHHHHHH! Big right hand on the money crashed Emmett to the canvas and that’s it!!!!!!
Kevin Vallejos is a PROBLEM!
Kevin Vallejos def. Josh Emmett via TKO (punches) — 3:33, Round 1.
Through the translator, Vallejos is very complimentary of Emmett, saying he grew up watching Emmett hurt people, and was a little afraid in this fight, but he just did what he had to do. Vallejos says they knew how Emmett would fight — “he’s an old dog, he has the same tricks” — and they were prepared. He ends by saying he doesn’t have anyone to call out, but just has a message for Argentina, telling them they’re going to have a world champion.
Read the full article here
