Kevin Vallejos signs new UFC deal ahead of Aljamain Sterling fight: 'If we beat Sterling, we get Volk'

Kevin Vallejos has signed a new contract with the UFC less than four weeks before his featherweight co-main event against Aljamain Sterling at UFC Qatar, the Argentine announced on X on Thursday, October 29. Vallejos vs Sterling takes place on Saturday, November 21 at ABHA Arena in Doha, on the card headlined by Jiri Prochazka vs Navajo Stirling.

"WE just signed a new deal with the UFC," Vallejos wrote, before adding in a second post: "I can't believe how much money I'm getting paid to fight." He did not disclose the length or financial terms of the agreement, and the UFC has not commented on it.

'If we beat Sterling, we get Volk'

A few hours later, early on Friday UTC, the 18-1 Argentine made his ambitions clear: "Guys if WE beat Sterling, WE get Volk."

That claim lines up with what featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski himself has said. Speaking to Ariel Helwani after stopping Movsar Evloev in the second round of the UFC 333 main event in Abu Dhabi on October 24, Volkanovski said Sterling would be the more deserving next challenger if he gets past Vallejos.

"When we're talking about who deserves it more, I'm gonna say Aljo. Especially after another win, taking a fight against a dangerous guy like Kevin. But if Aljo loses, then I think it's just Jean. I think it really is up to that fight," Volkanovski said, referring to Jean Silva.

Volkanovski did not say Vallejos would get the shot himself with a win. That part is Vallejos's own reading of the situation, though beating the No. 4-ranked former champion would put him firmly in the conversation.

The matchup

The UFC announced the bout in October as the co-main event of its return to Doha. According to the UFC, Sterling (26-5) is ranked No. 4 at featherweight and Vallejos (18-1) is No. 9 and riding a seven-fight winning streak.

• Aljamain Sterling defended the UFC bantamweight title three times before moving up to 145 pounds. He is 3-1 at featherweight, with his only loss coming against Evloev. His latest fight was a five-round unanimous decision win over Youssef Zalal in April.
• Kevin Vallejos is 4-0 in the UFC with three finishes, including knockouts of Giga Chikadze and Josh Emmett. His only professional loss came against Jean Silva on Dana White's Contender Series in 2023. He returned to the series a year later and earned his contract with a first-round knockout.

That history gives the fight an extra layer. Silva is the contender Volkanovski named as next in line if Sterling loses.

A day before announcing the new deal, Vallejos called Sterling the toughest test of his career on X: "This is going to be the hardest fight of my life, and I'm very excited." He also wrote: "WE are going to be the champion for OUR people. Vamos Argentina."

UFC Qatar is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on November 21.