Leavitt Outmaneuvers Del Valle to Snap Undefeated Record at UFC Houston

2026-02-22 general

Houston, Sunday, 22 February 2026.
Leveraging superior grappling, underdog Jordan Leavitt handed Yadier del Valle his first career defeat via unanimous decision, strategically dismantling the prospect’s perfect record Saturday night.

Underdog Leavitt Dismantles the Odds

In a significant upset at the Toyota Center on Saturday, February 21, 2026, Jordan “The Monkey King” Leavitt defied betting markets to secure a unanimous decision victory over Yadier del Valle [2][6]. Entering the cage as a +330 underdog against the heavily favored -400 Del Valle, Leavitt’s performance disrupted the trajectory of the previously undefeated prospect [6]. The bout, broadcast live to a global audience on Paramount+, served as a preliminary highlight to the Strickland vs. Hernandez main card, showcasing the volatility inherent in combat sports investments where statistical advantages do not always translate to victory [3][8].

Calculated Control Overcomes Aggression

The statistical disparity leading into the match suggested a difficult evening for Leavitt. Pre-fight metrics indicated that Del Valle landed significantly higher volume, averaging 3.76 more significant strikes per minute than Leavitt [6]. However, Leavitt neutralized this striking advantage through superior grappling application [2]. The Las Vegas native secured an early lead in the first round with a double-leg takedown and maintained composure despite a pause in action caused by an accidental groin strike to Del Valle [2]. Leavitt’s tactical approach prioritized position over volume, allowing him to threaten with heel hook submission attempts at the conclusion of both the first and second rounds [2].

Featherweight Trajectories Shift

The victory moves Leavitt’s professional record to 13-3-0, marking his second consecutive win and solidifying his standing within the promotion’s featherweight division [1][2]. Conversely, Yadier “The Cuban Problem” del Valle faces a career reset after suffering his first professional loss [1][2]. Del Valle had entered UFC Houston seeking to establish legitimacy following a controversial submission win in November against Isaac Dulgarian—a bout that triggered an investigation and resulted in Dulgarian’s release from the organization [2]. The judges scored the contest 29-28 across the board, acknowledging Leavitt’s dominance in the first two frames despite a defensive third round where he avoided engagement to protect his lead [2].

Sources

UFC Houston Jordan Leavitt