New UFC deal leaves Vallejos stunned before Sterling bout in Doha
Kevin Vallejos has signed a new UFC contract before the most important fight of his career, against Aljamain Sterling on 21 November at UFC Qatar in Doha. The Argentine bantamweight (18-1) expects a win over the former champion to earn a title shot, and noted that Silva, who beat him in 2023, could be the next challenger.
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Kevin Vallejos ainda custa a acreditar no tamanho do número que tem pela frente.
O argentino dos galos anunciou que assinou um novo contrato com o Ultimate Fighting Championship na véspera da luta mais importante da carreira, contra Aljamain Sterling em 21 de novembro, no UFC Qatar, na ABHA Arena, em Doha.
“Não consigo acreditar em quanto dinheiro estou ganhando para lutar”, escreveu ele em uma publicação nas redes sociais que anunciou o acordo.
Vallejos (18-1) também espera que vencer o ex-campeão dos galos seja recompensado com uma disputa de cinturão. Ele tratou a oportunidade como algo compartilhado, e não individual: se passar por Sterling, o campeão australiano vem em seguida.
Alexander Volkanovski, que defendeu o cinturão dos penas no UFC 333, já havia dito que Sterling (26-5) merece a próxima oportunidade se vencer em Doha. Caso Sterling perca, o australiano apontou Jean Silva (18-3) como o próximo desafiante.
O detalhe importa para Vallejos: Silva aplicou a ele a única derrota profissional, no Contender Series de Dana White em 2023. O argentino voltou no ano seguinte, garantiu contrato com um nocaute no primeiro round e venceu todas as lutas no UFC desde então, finalizando três delas.
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