Kevin Vallejos sees UFC title shot opening up with Noche UFC shakeup

Yair Rodriguez withdrew from the Sept. 12 Noche UFC 4 main event in Glendale, Arizona, prompting a matchup change that affects the featherweight title picture. Jean Silva will now face Jose Delgado at Desert Diamond Arena, replacing the previously slated Silva vs. Rodriguez pairing that was viewed as an unofficial featherweight title eliminator. Kevin Vallejos, who lost a decision to Silva on Dana White's Contender Series in 2023, says one more win should bring a UFC featherweight title shot. Delgado enters with a 4-0 UFC record, while Silva rebounded from his lone UFC loss with a January decision over Arnold Allen. Vallejos has surged with four straight UFC wins, including recent finishes of Giga Chikadze and Josh Emmett, and continues to seek a Silva rematch.