Kevin Vallejos has made his UFC Qatar fight with Aljamain Sterling about more than one night in the cage. The featherweight contender says he wants Alexander Volkanovski to beat Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 so he can chase the champion himself if he gets past Sterling on Nov. 21.
Vallejos, who is riding four straight UFC wins, faces Sterling in the co-main event of UFC Qatar in a fight that could help shape the next featherweight title conversation. Sterling is a former UFC bantamweight champion, while Volkanovski and Evloev are scheduled to meet in Abu Dhabi after Evloev earned his place in the title picture with 10 octagon victories.
Vallejos sees a clear path
Vallejos said he would like Volkanovski to win because that is the opponent he wants next if he produces a statement victory over Sterling. “I would like Volkanovski to win,” Vallejos said. “I would like that because if I knock Sterling out, I would like to fight Volkanovski. I would like to take the title away from Volkanovski.”
That is a straightforward message from a fighter who knows how quickly the division can move. Vallejos is not just trying to collect another win. He is trying to turn a dangerous matchup against a proven name into a direct route to championship contention.
Why a strong win would matter
Vallejos said the division is very difficult, but he believes a victory over Sterling would carry real weight because of Sterling’s experience and history at the top level. He added that a strong win could either earn him a title opportunity or at least put him firmly in the conversation as the next contender.
“It is a very difficult division,” Vallejos said. “But I think that if I win and knock out a guy like Sterling, who has, as you said, a lot of history and is a former champion, I believe that a strong win over him would give me a title opportunity. Or at least put me in the conversation as the next contender.”
That is the key point here. Vallejos understands that UFC title shots are not only about winning, but about how convincing the win looks. Beating Sterling by knockout would make a loud statement. Even a decision, he believes, could still show enough to justify a serious look from the matchmakers.
More than just a finish
Vallejos also said that if he does not stop Sterling, he can still strengthen his case by going the distance in a disciplined way. He pointed to his own takedown defense and his ability to handle three rounds against an experienced fighter who knows how to manage longer fights.
“If I don’t knock him out and win by decision,” Vallejos said, “But show my level of takedown defense and also my ability to go three rounds with a guy who has a lot of experience fighting five-round fights and knows how to manage a fight, I think I would also show that I have the necessary skills for that opportunity.”
That gives his UFC Qatar bout a wider meaning. Vallejos is not only fighting Aljamain Sterling for momentum. He is trying to prove that his four-fight UFC run belongs in the championship conversation, and that the winner of UFC 333 could be the next name he is chasing.
