Rising prospect Byron Valle returns to action on March 21 when he meets Holt Felkins at Up Next Fighting 31 in Commerce, California.
It’s remarkable to think that Valle only began training a little over three years ago, and he’s already preparing for his second professional bout under the UNF banner. At just 22 years old, Valle carries himself with the composure and maturity of a seasoned veteran in the sport.
“I started training maybe three-and-a-half years ago. I’ve been just watching MMA my whole life, something that my uncle got me into early, and I’ve always had a passion and a love with it,” Valle told Cageside Press.
“It’s just my parents didn’t let me start doing it until I turned 18. So when I turned 18 it all skyrocketed from there. Now I’m on the path that I’m on now, and I’m here to take over.”
Valle (1-0) tried his hand at other sports growing up, but soccer and football never quite satisfied the competitive drive of a young kid from South Central Los Angeles. Combat sports, however, proved to be a perfect outlet, giving Valle both the competition and the discipline he admits he needed at the time.
“It allowed me to fight without getting in trouble. Discipline was a big part of it as well too,” he said.
“You don’t play fighting. It’s one of those things that you have to take serious, you prepare for, and you take care of yourself because there’s a lot at risk compared to some of these other sports.”
After compiling a 7–1 amateur record, the transition to the professional ranks marked a significant leap in his development. From that point on, the focus shifted from simply surviving a fight to dictating how it ends.
“The finishing ability. For the first half of my amateur career I was in there more to like get experience. I didn’t have that mindset that I have now of ‘let’s go out there and let’s go finish these guys’. I was more out there, I guess you could say, survival mode because I was so early on in my career,” he said.
“Once my mindset changed after that, I want to be that brick wall that these guys are not going to be able to get over.”
At UNF 31 Valle faces Holt Felkins in his second pro fight not short on confidence heading into the matchup, making it clear he plans to deliver the most impressive performance of his young career. While he respects his opponent, the 22-year-old prospect believes he has the skills to make a statement and continue his rapid rise through the ranks.
“I feel like I’m going to run straight through him. I think I’m just better everywhere, and I want to go out there and show why a lot of people think I’m the next guy up. I want to keep on proving that. I give him all the respect in the world, I train as if these guys are UFC caliber opponents, and I’m fighting for the biggest performance of my life,” he said.
“I’m looking for big names. Some vets, obviously respect to all of them, I just want to fight the best guys that I can and I want to rise up these ranks as fast as I can. I do see myself in the UFC by next year.”
Valle’s ambitions extend far beyond the regional scene, with the young prospect already setting his sights on the sport’s biggest stage. For him, every fight is another step toward proving he belongs among the elite.
“I’m thinking all of them. I want to be ready for each and every single one of those things. Whenever they come calling I’ll be ready,” he said.
“Show out in front of the world now. I’m showing out in front of California and I want to just keep on taking over. I have big plans to not only be the best, but take over the world in all facets of life. I want to be there, and that’s my strive.”
Watch the entire interview with Byron Valle above. He faces Holt Felkins at UNF 31 on March 21 in Commerce, CA.
