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UFC featherweight contender Kevin Vallejos responded to Aljamain Sterling’s recent claim that the UFC gave him an hour to accept their fight.

A UFC featherweight clash between top contenders Aljamain Sterling and Kevin Vallejos is the co-main event for UFC Qatar next month. The card is headlined by a UFC light heavyweight clash between former titleholder Jiri Prochazka and surging contender Navajo Stirling.

This will be easily the toughest test of Vallejos’ career after the talented featherweight earned recent wins over Josh Emmett, Giga Chikadze and Seung-Woo Choi. His lone career defeat came against Jean Silva on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2023.

Sterling made headlines recently when he claimed that the UFC matchmakers gave him a one-hour ultimatum to accept the UFC Qatar offer, or the fight would go to another top contender. While Sterling says he wasn’t outright pressured into taking the fight, he’s repeatedly gone on the record in discussing his complicated relationship with the promotion.

Kevin Vallejos perplexed by Aljamain Sterling needing an hour to think over UFC Qatar fight

In a recent interview on The Ariel Helwani Show, Vallejos reacted to Sterling’s recent claim about the UFC holding him hostage.

“I don’t even know if I would need an hour,” Vallejos said of Sterling’s claims.

“When they offered me Aljamain, I said yes immediately. I don’t need an hour to accept a fight, and that’s how it’s been for my entire career. I don’t really care who I fight. Whoever they offer me, I’m going to say yes.”

The Vallejos vs. Sterling winner could potentially earn a title shot against either Alexander Volkanovski or Movsar Evloev. Volkanovski will defend the UFC featherweight title at UFC 333 later this month in Abu Dhabi.

Vallejos was then pressed about his conversations with the UFC brass about what’s at stake at UFC Qatar.

“They haven’t said anything like that, but at the end of the day, I’m fighting a Top 4 fighter,” Vallejos said.

“If I beat him, it only makes sense for me to fight for the title. And when that happens, there’s no doubt I’ll become the champion.”

What is your prediction for Aljamain Sterling vs. Kevin Vallejos? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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