Overview
- Vallejos finished Chikadze at 1:29 of Round 2 with a spinning backfist and follow-up elbows in the co-main event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
- The defeat marked the first knockout loss of Chikadze’s career, and the No. 15 featherweight now sits on a three-fight skid with four losses in his past five.
- Analysts and outlets expect the victory to push Vallejos into the UFC featherweight rankings next week.
- Entering as roughly a -310 favorite per FanDuel, the Dana White’s Contender Series alum improves to 3-0 in the UFC and extends his overall win streak to six.
- After the bout, Vallejos praised Chikadze, called for a 2026 matchup with Cub Swanson, and said he would donate part of his purse to Chikadze’s cancer charity.