Kevin Vallejos, the Argentine featherweight known as “El Chino,” has quickly become one of UFC’s most exciting prospects with his knockout power and relentless pressure. At just 24, he’s already racked up a stellar record and turned heads in the octagon.
Kevin Vallejos’ Biography
| Detail | Info |
| Full Name | Kevin Axel Vallejos Montenegro |
| Nickname | El Chino |
| Born | December 8, 2001 |
| Age | 24 years |
| College | N/A |
| Religion | N/A |
| Nationality | Argentine |
| Height | 5’7″ (170 cm) |
| Turned Pro | 2021 |
| Net Worth (2026 est) | $300K–$600K |
| Salary | UFC base ~$12K-$28K per fight + bonuses |
| Spouse | N/A |
| Relationship Status | Single |
| @chino_vallejos19 |
Early Career
Kevin started training MMA at 16 as a hobby in Argentina, drawn to boxing, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu. He dominated as an amateur, winning titles with TKOs and subs against foes like Diego Valencia and Emiliano Ramirez in regional shows around Buenos Aires and Mar del Plata. By 2019, he went pro in 2021 with a KO win over Rocco Cena at Supreme Warriors 6, setting the stage fast.
Professional Career
Vallejos exploded regionally in Argentina’s Samurai Fight House, capturing belts with 10 finishes in 11 straight wins, including quick TKOs over Matias Ponce (39 seconds) and Mauricio Flores (49 seconds). His only loss came via decision to Jean Silva on DWCS in 2023, but he bounced back with a contract-earning TKO of Cam Teague in 2024.
In UFC since 2025, he’s 3-0, knocking out Seung Woo Choi, decisioning Danny Silva, and stunning Giga Chikadze with a spinning backfist in December 2025 for Fight of the Night honors. Now 17-1 overall, his pressure striking and cardio make him a featherweight riser.
Kevin Vallejos’ Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Kevin Vallejos’ net worth sits around $300,000 to $600,000, built from UFC purses, win bonuses, and early sponsorship cash. This comes after his rapid rise, with earnings jumping from regional scraps to UFC paydays like $28K for his debut (including $12K base, $12K win bonus, $4K sponsor). More wins and bonuses, like $50K for the Chikadze KO, push it higher, but no massive outside deals yet keep it modest for a prospect. Expect growth if he climbs rankings.
Fight Purses
| Fight/Event | Date | Base Purse | Win Bonus | Sponsors/UFC Bonus | Total Estimated |
| vs. Seung Woo Choi (UFC Vegas 104) | Mar 2025 | $12K | $12K | $4K | $28K |
| vs. Danny Silva (UFC Vegas 108) | Aug 2025 | $18K | N/A (win) | N/A | ~$30K-$40K |
| vs. Giga Chikadze (UFC Vegas 112) | Dec 2025 | ~$20K-$28K | ~$20K | $50K (Perf. Night) | ~$90K-$100K |
| vs. Cam Teague (DWCS S8) | Sep 2024 | Undisclosed | N/A | Contract value | ~$50K+ equiv. |
| vs. Jean Silva (DWCS S7) | Sep 2023 | Undisclosed | N/A | N/A | Minimal |
| Regional (e.g., SFH titles) | 2021-2024 | <$10K each | N/A | N/A | <$100K total |
Endorsements
Kevin’s endorsement game is still growing as a UFC newcomer, but he pulls in $4K-$6K per fight from UFC program sponsors like Venum for gear. His massive Instagram following (over 136K) tags local Argentine brands and fight camps like Samurai Fight House, hinting at regional deals for supplements or apparel, though no big names like Reebok or Monster Energy yet. Manager Martin Pakciarz likely lines up more as wins pile up, especially after the viral Chikadze KO boosted his profile.
Career Records
Kevin Vallejos’ career record remains 17-1-0 pro (12 KO/TKO, 2 SUB, 3 DEC) with no new fights since his December 2025 KO of Giga Chikadze. Amateur record is 3-0, all finishes. He’s undefeated in UFC at 3-0. Here’s the latest full pro record table, confirmed across sources.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Method | Round/Time | Event | Division/Notes |
| 12/14/25 | Giga Chikadze | W | KO (Spinning Backfist) | 2/3:09 | UFC on ESPN 73 | Featherweight, Perf bonus |
| 08/03/25 | Danny Silva | W | UD (29-28 x3) | 3/5:00 | UFC on ESPN 71 | Featherweight |
| 03/16/25 | Seung Woo Choi | W | TKO (GnP) | 1/3:09 | UFC FN 254 | Featherweight debut |
| 09/17/24 | Cam Teague | W | TKO (Punches) | 1/2:23 | DWCS S8.7 | Featherweight, contract |
| 03/23/24 | Gonzalo Contreras | W | KO (Punch) | 2/4:23 | Samurai FH 15 | Featherweight |
| 12/09/23 | Maximiliano Perez | W | SUB (RNC) | 3/1:30 | Samurai FH 14 | Featherweight |
| 09/19/23 | Jean Silva | L | UD (29-28 x2, 30-27) | 3/5:00 | DWCS S7.5 | Featherweight, only loss |
| 05/20/23 | Luiz Eduardo Garagorri | W | TKO (Punches) | 2/3:15 | Samurai FH 13 | Featherweight |
| 03/18/23 | Aldo Espindola | W | TKO (Punches) | 1/2:23 | Samurai FH 12 | Lightweight |
| 12/10/22 | Nestor Machado | W | UD | 3/5:00 | Samurai FH 11 | Featherweight |
| 11/26/22 | Emmanuel Vallejos | W | TKO (Punches) | 2/1:04 | Samurai FH 10 | Featherweight |
| 10/15/22 | Pablo Etelechea | W | TKO (Punches) | 1/3:06 | Samurai FH 9 | Featherweight |
| 06/25/22 | Mauricio Flores | W | TKO (Punches) | 1/0:49 | Samurai FH 8 | Featherweight |
| 05/14/22 | Gabriel Vargas | W | SUB (RNC) | 1/1:59 | Samurai FH 7 | Bantamweight |
| 03/12/22 | Jesus Ru | W | UD | 3/5:00 | Circuito Argentino 7 | Featherweight |
| 02/19/22 | Lucas Miletich | W | TKO (Punches) | 1/4:08 | Samurai FH 6 | Featherweight |
| 12/11/21 | Matias Ponce | W | TKO (Punches) | 1/0:39 | Cobra Fighter FC 1 | Featherweight, fastest |
| 09/25/21 | Rocco Cena | W | KO (Punch) | 2/3:40 | Supreme Warriors 6 | Pro debut, LW |
Key stats: 70% KO rate, averages 4.5 takedowns attempted per 15 min in UFC, strong striking defense at 62%. Notable foes: Chikadze (ranked), Silva (UFC now), Choi (Korean vet). No updates since Feb 2026.
FAQs
1. Who is Kevin Vallejos?
Kevin Vallejos, known as “El Chino,” is a 24-year-old Argentine featherweight MMA fighter born on December 8, 2001, in Mar del Plata. He trains with Brothers of Life MMA, stands 5’7″ tall, weighs 145 lbs, and fights from a switch stance.
2. What is Kevin Vallejos’ professional MMA record?
Kevin Vallejos holds a professional record of 17 wins and 1 loss, with 14 finishes including 10 TKOs/KOs and 3 submissions. His sole loss came via unanimous decision against Jean Silva on Dana White‘s Contender Series in 2023.
3. What are Vallejos’ UFC achievements?
Vallejos is 3-0 in the UFC as of late 2025, with wins over Seung Woo Choi (TKO, March 2025), Danny Silva (unanimous decision, August 2025), and Giga Chikadze (KO via spinning backfist, December 2025). He earned his contract after a TKO win on DWCS Season 8 in 2024.
4. When did Kevin Vallejos make his UFC debut?
He debuted on March 15, 2025, at UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs. Dolidze 2, defeating Seung Woo Choi via TKO punches in the first round at 3:09. This victory marked his entry into the promotion after impressing on Contender Series.
5. Who was Kevin Vallejos’ only professional loss against?
His only loss was a unanimous decision to Jean Silva on September 5, 2023, during Dana White’s Contender Series Season 7, Week 5. Vallejos has since expressed interest in a rematch, ideally for the title.
6. What is Kevin Vallejos’ fighting style and strengths?
Vallejos excels in finishing fights early, with a high volume of TKOs/KOs showcasing powerful striking like overhand rights, spinning backfists, and ground-and-pound. He also has submission skills, including rear-naked chokes.
7. Where is Kevin Vallejos from and who does he train with?
Hailing from Mar del Plata-Batan, Argentina, he represents his country proudly amid a wave of Argentine UFC talents like Esteban Ribovics. He trains at Brothers of Life MMA and is managed by Martin Pakciarz.
8. How did Kevin Vallejos earn his UFC contract?
He secured it on September 24, 2024, at Dana White’s Contender Series Season 8, Week 7, with a first-round TKO (punches) over Cam Teague at 2:23, following a prior DWCS loss.
9. What are some of Kevin Vallejos’ notable pre-UFC wins?
Key victories include two Samurai Fight House titles: TKO over Gonzalo Contreras (March 2024), submission over Maximiliano Perez (December 2023), TKO vs. Eduardo Garagorri (May 2023), and others against Aldo Espindola, Pablo Etelechea, and Emmanuel Vallejos.
10. What are Kevin Vallejos’ future goals in MMA?
Vallejos aims for a rematch with Jean Silva, preferably when Silva holds the belt, to claim the featherweight title. He remains humble, focused on growth, and rides a six-fight win streak into 2026.