UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Vallejos - Main Event Preview and How to Watch

UFC Fight Night 269 Full Card and Start Times

Main Event (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT)

• Josh Emmett vs. Kevin Vallejos (Featherweight) 
• Amanda Lemos vs. Gillian Robertson (Women's Strawweight) 
• Ion Cutelaba vs. Oumar Sy (Light Heavyweight) 
• Andre Fili vs. Jose Miguel Delgado (Featherweight) 
• Marwan Rahiki vs. Harry Hardwick (Featherweight) 
• Vitor Petrino vs. Steven Asplund (Heavyweight) 

Prelims (5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT)

• Charles Johnson vs. Bruno da Silva (Men’s Flyweight) 
• Brad Tavares vs. Eryk Anders (Middleweight) 
• Chris Curtis vs. Myktybek Orolbai (Welterweight) 
• Bolaji Oki vs. Manoel Sousa (Lightweight) 
• Luan Lacerda vs. Hecher Sosa (Men’s Bantamweight) 
• Beatriz Mesquita vs. Montserrat Rendon (Women's Bantamweight) 
• Elijah Smith vs. You Su-young (Men’s Bantamweight) 
• Piera Rodriguez vs. Sam Hughes (Women's Strawweight) 

How to Watch

As always, the full card can be viewed with a Paramount+ subscription in the United States. 

Main Event Banger

The matchup between Josh Emmett and Kevin Vallejos is arguably one of the most explosive main event fights of the year so far. 

Emmett, at the age of 41, is without a doubt nearing the twilight of his career. While he could at best be a gatekeeper for the featherweight division, it is unlikely that he could ever touch UFC gold.

While he may not be gifted a title shot any time soon, he still contains fight-ending power in his right hand. With a puncher’s chance, he could reinsert himself into the middle of the pack of the rankings. The problem, however, is that he lacks the technical aptitude to set up his overhand right.

Vallejos, on the other hand, is 24 years old and has an equally powerful overhand right. In addition, however, he has a multitude of other weapons that he can use in the fight. His boxing skills are also technically superior.

Sleeper Fights

Amanda Lemos vs. Gillian Robertson

These two fighters were originally supposed to clash on Dec. 13, until Amanda Lemos pulled out at the last minute due to an undisclosed medical condition. With this strawweight bout rebooked, the winner could angle themselves for a title shot in the near future.

Lemos has had a rollercoaster of a career, especially since her failed title shot against the aforementioned Weili, with her latest outing resulting in a decision loss to Tatiana Suarez.

Robertson, however, has had a career resurgence since moving down from flyweight. Her slick ground game and ability to take the back could spell trouble for Lemos.

Charles Johnson vs. Bruno da Silva 

At the top of the Prelims is a highly-touted flyweight bout between two fighters at the bottom of the rankings. Though both have had up-and-down careers in the promotion, they are incredibly skilled, which speaks to the rich talent in the flyweight division.

Charles “InnerG” Johnson, who is currently the only person ever to defeat the current UFC flyweight champ, Joshua Van, will return after being knocked out by Alex Perez with a left hook. Despite his knockout loss, Johnson is a super perceptive striker who can turn anyone’s lights off at any moment.

Da Silva is coming off a rear-naked choke win over Korean prospect Hyun Sung Park. He has run into difficult matchups, especially against superior strikers, but every single one of his UFC wins comes by way of finish. This will be a classic striker-versus-grappler matchup that is sure to please the crowd.