UFC on ESPN 71: Danny Silva vs Kevin Vallejos Preview & Prediction

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Danny Silva vs Kevin Vallejos: Featherweights set for fireworks in the Apex
Two young, aggressive strikers collide in what promises to be a high-octane clash as America’s Danny Silva meets Argentina’s Kevin Vallejos to kick off the main card. With both men favouring pressure and power, expect this one to get going fast.

Danny Silva vs Kevin Vallejos facts

What time are Danny Silva and Kevin Vallejos expected to walk out?

Where is UFC on ESPN: Taira vs Park? UFC Apex, Enterprise, USA

Where can I get tickets for UFC on ESPN: Taira vs Park? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC on ESPN 71

What TV channel is UFC on ESPN: Taira vs Park on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+

Where can I stream UFC on ESPN: Taira vs Park? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass

UFC on ESPN: Taira vs Park main card

Tatsuro Taira vs Park Hyun-sung (Flyweight)

Mateusz Rebecki vs Chris Duncan (Lightweight)

Elves Brener vs Esteban Ribovics (Lightweight)

Karol Rosa vs Nora Cornolle (Women’s Bantamweight)

Neil Magny vs Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (Welterweight)

Danny Silva vs Kevin Vallejos (Featherweight)

UFC on ESPN: Taira vs Park prelims

Rinya Nakamura vs Nathan Fletcher (Bantamweight)

Rodolfo Vieira vs Tresean Gore (Middleweight)

Nick Klein vs Andrey Pulyaev (Middleweight)

Austin Bashi vs John Yannis (Featherweight)

Piera Rodriguez vs Ketlen Souza (Women’s Strawweight)

Rafael Estevam vs Felipe Bunes (Flyweight)

Danny Silva: Wild pressure fighter riding narrow UFC success

Danny Silva (10-1) has made a solid start to his UFC career, going 2-0 with a pair of split decision victories over Lucas Almeida and Joshua Culibao. The 28-year-old earned his contract with a strong showing on Dana White’s Contender Series and has impressed since with his aggression and pace.

Silva’s style is boxing-heavy, built around constant forward movement and big swings. However, his defence leaves much to be desired — he often keeps his hands low and shows little head movement. He tends to throw caution to the wind in pursuit of wild exchanges, which makes for entertaining fights but also leaves him open to clean counters. That said, Silva has never been finished, with his only loss coming via decision two and a half years ago.

Kevin Vallejos: Rising Argentinian talent with real finishing threat

Kevin Vallejos (15-1) is quickly building momentum. After a strong run on the South American regional scene, he entered the Contender Series at just 21 and lost a competitive decision to Jean Silva — who has since emerged as one of the division’s most dangerous prospects. That performance has aged well, and Vallejos has since rebounded in style.

Now 23, he returns with back-to-back first-round TKOs, including an impressive stoppage of Seung Woo Choi in his UFC debut. Vallejos is a sharp boxer who pressures effectively, cuts off the cage well, and lands crisp combinations — often finishing with power shots to the chin.

Danny Silva vs Kevin Vallejos prediction

This fight looks set to be a shootout. Both men will come forward and exchange, but Vallejos is the more technical and composed striker. Silva’s aggression is exciting, but his leaky defence could cost him in a firefight — especially against someone with Vallejos’ timing and precision.

Expect a frenetic pace early, but it’s Vallejos who should find the cleaner shots and ultimately the finish in rounds one or two. The Argentinian looks like one of the more promising young prospects in the featherweight division.