LAS VEGAS – Kevin Vallejos has a couple of requests for the UFC heading into 2026.
The UFC featherweight prospect called for two things following his KO win over veteran Giga Chikadze (15-6 MMA, 8-4 UFC) in the co-main event of Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 73: a fight against Cub Swanson, and for his next fight to be outside of the UFC Apex.
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Vallejos (17-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) is hoping to get this step up after a very successful 2025. For starters, a bout against Swanson would be a dream come true.
“Honestly, he trains all the fighters who I fight against,” Vallejos said explaining his callout of Swanson in Spanish to reporters during a post-fight press conference. “I see him every fight in their corner, so just bring him up to the cage. There’s no disrespect. He’s a legend. He has beautiful boxing. We can put on a spectacular fight, a Fight of the Night. So yeah, I want to fight against this legend. I want to be a legend hunter. There are so many fights I want to be in. I think we would put on a great fight.”
As far as the Apex, Vallejos has had plenty of success there. He earned his UFC contract in that same facility, fighting in Dana White’s Contender Series in 2024, and went 3-0 in 2025 under the UFC. Yet, despite having things gone his way, Vallejos wants to experience fighting in front of a crowd.
“I think it’s time for me to fight in an arena,” Vallejos said. “The Apex has given me many experiences, and I’ve taken so much from it. I’m truly grateful for the Apex, I’ve learned a lot here, but I hope I get the chance to fight in an arena for the first time ever. I would be delighted. Or just put me at least in the video game, and I’ll pick the fight there and be happy. But something, please. I hope I get an arena next time, just something different from the Apex.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Kevin Vallejos calls for Cub Swanson, fight outside UFC Apex
