Yadier del Valle

Yadier del Valle is a Cuban featherweight prospect who earned his UFC contract on Dana White's Contender Series in 2024 after going unbeaten on the Texas regional scene. He announced himself with back-to-back first-round rear-naked chokes of Connor Matthews and previously unbeaten Isaac Dulgarian, showing a knack for hurting opponents on the feet and taking the back. His hype train hit its first bump in February 2026, when grappler Jordan Leavitt outwrestled him to a decision for his first pro loss. Now training out of Gracie Barra Westchase, he's looking to prove the Leavitt fight was a speed bump, not a ceiling.