Sterling vs Vallejos Preview: Veteran Grappler Faces a 24-Year-Old Knockout Artist

There are more than 12 years between them, and they win in almost opposite ways. On November 21 in Doha, 37-year-old Aljamain Sterling ("Funk Master", #4, 26-5) meets 24-year-old Argentine Kevin Vallejos ("El Chino", #9) at featherweight. Sterling has been competing in the Octagon since February 2014; Vallejos debuted in March 2025.

Here is how their UFC numbers stack up:

• Size: both stand 5-foot-7 (67 inches), but Sterling has the longer reach, 71 inches to 68.
• Output: Vallejos lands 6.12 significant strikes per minute to Sterling's 4.26.
• Damage taken: Sterling absorbs 2.15 per minute; Vallejos absorbs 4.41.
• Accuracy and defense: 53% and 59% for Sterling, 48% and 57% for Vallejos.
• Power: a 1.65 knockdown average for Vallejos against 0.00 for Sterling.
• Grappling: Sterling averages 2.54 takedowns and 0.64 submission attempts per 15 minutes; Vallejos averages 0.66 takedowns and no submission attempts.
• Takedown defense: 85% for Vallejos, 45% for Sterling.
• Average fight time: 14:23 for Sterling, 7:36 for Vallejos.

Sterling's game is control and patience. Eight of his wins have come by submission (31%) and 58% have gone to the judges, with only three knockouts. Where he does his damage tells the story too: 15% of his significant strikes come in the clinch and 18% on the ground, so roughly a third of his offense happens in close.

Vallejos is the opposite. He has 13 knockout wins, 72% of his total, plus nine first-round finishes, and 85% of his significant strikes land at distance, with just 8% in the clinch and 7% on the ground. His fights are over, on average, in about half the time Sterling's take.

The pivotal matchup is Sterling's wrestling against the Argentine's 85% takedown defense. If Sterling can't get it to the mat, he's stuck standing with the man who carries the heavier hands. So the question is simple: can the veteran drag this into his kind of fight before Vallejos finds the shot that ends it?

Prelims in Doha begin at 6 p.m. local time, with the main card at 9 p.m., so arrive early to catch every bout. Grab your seats now: Sterling vs Vallejos tickets in Doha.