Home of Fight Expert Picks: UFC Vegas 120
UFC returns to the Apex in Las Vegas this Saturday, August 8, for UFC Fight Night: Gamrot vs. Salkilld, headlined by a lightweight clash between #6-ranked Mateusz Gamrot and #9-ranked Quillan Salkilld. Gamrot, a wrestling-heavy grinder, looks to snap back into the win column against the durable, high-volume Salkilld, who enters as a slight betting favorite in some books despite the ranking gap.
The co-main features a veteran lightweight scrap between Diego Ferreira and Billy Quarantillo, a pairing of gritty finishers where a stoppage feels live. Featherweight vet Darren Elkins takes on the up-and-comer Yadier del Valle in his swan song as he calls it a career.
On the women’s side, Amanda Lemos returns to the Octagon to face the surging Alexia Thainara, a fight that could shake up rankings if Thainara pulls off the win in dominating fashion. Rounding out the main card, welterweights Ty Miller and Billy Ray Goff square off in what promises to be an action-heavy opener.
Who do our experts like to get their hands raised in these matchups?
Mateusz Gamrot vs. Quillan Salkilld
HayJive – Quillan Salkilld
- “I’ll take Quillan Salkilld in the main event. He has the finishing upside, the youth, and plenty of momentum coming into this matchup. Gamrot will likely find some takedowns, but I trust Salkilld’s scrambling to prevent extended control. With advantages in both the striking and finishing ability, I like Salkilld to defend the wrestling and earn the biggest win of his career.”
Nolan – Mateusz Gamrot
- “Gamrot’s wrestling is still phenomenal and we’ve seen Quilan taken down by lesser wrestlers. If Gamrot can control him long enough to take away some power, he could look like a great underdog.”
JJ (The Octagon King) – Quillan Salkilld
- “He’s got the long-raged striking to keep the wrestling away. Considering Gamrot gets knocked down frequently, I can see him getting finished in the first two rounds.”
The Fight Analyst – Mateusz Gamrot
- “It’s hard not to take Mateusz Gamrot as an underdog in this spot who’s 6-0 at the Meta Apex and has a massive experience advantage not only against the elite of the division, but also in five round fights. Quillan Salkilld is going to have a tough time defending endless takedowns for 25 minutes and gas in the process.”
Austin Swaim – Quillan Salkilld
- “Size is a huge factor in this weekend’s main event. Quillan is a tough guy to wrestle for 25 minutes, having eventually wilted Yanal Ashmouz there. Gamrot could start strong, but I think he eventually fades into a five-inch reach deficit at distance. I like the Aussie by late KO or decision.”
Billy Quarantillo vs. Diego Ferreira
HayJive – Diego Ferreira
- “I’ll take Diego Ferreira. The long layoff and knee injury for Billy Quarantillo are tough to overlook. Ferreira has consistently shown strong cardio and quality grappling, and I think that combination allows him to wear Quarantillo down and control the fight as it progresses.”
Nolan – Billy Quarantillo
- “Billy is slightly younger, moving up a weight class, won’t have to deal with a terrible weight cut, which should help his cardio. Diego is 41 now, and if Billy can put the pace on I think he wins.”
JJ (The Octagon King) – Diego Ferreira
- “I think that old man strength is going to make a main difference in this fight, especially with the way Billy Q creates openings. ”
The Fight Analyst – Billy Quarantillo
- “I believe the age and less wear and tear on Billy Quarantillo’s body will be the deciding factor as he pushes a pace that Diego Ferreira can’t match at 41.”
Austin Swaim – Billy Quarantillo
- “There’s plenty of attrition in this co-main event of brawlers, but I think Billy Quarantillo’s frenetic pace — which should be even higher at 155 — ends up getting him a competitive nod on the scorecards. Ferreira’s best path could be grappling, but at 41, I just don’t see him executing it.”
Darren Elkins vs. Yadier del Valle
HayJive – Yadier del Valle
- “I’ll take Yadier Del Valle. I think the betting line is a bit wide, and Elkins always has a path if he can establish his grappling early. Still, at 42 years old and in his retirement fight, it’s difficult for me to back him. Del Valle should bounce back from the first loss of his career with a solid performance.”
Nolan – Yadier del Valle
- “This is more about fading a 42 year old in Elkins. He doesn’t take damage as well now, he’s not as explosive, and Yadier can sub him or lands big shots when he gets tired.”
JJ (The Octagon King) – Yadier del Valle
- “Elkins is a zombie but there’s too many openings for Del Valle, especially a this stage of Elkin’s career.”
The Fight Analyst – Yadier del Valle
- “It’s great to see that the UFC is letting Darren Elkins ride off into the sunset, but it’s going to be after a brutal defeat at the hands of Yadier del Valle.”
Austin Swaim – Yadier del Valle
- “The version of Darren Elkins that fought Erosa shouldn’t be sanctioned in combat sports anymore. Every glancing blow did meaningful damage. del Valle is no power threat, but you have to think his youth and athleticism takes over to win this fight, and he’s shown to be a neck-snatcher at 2.0 submission attempts per 15 minutes.”
Amanda Lemos vs. Alexia Thainara
HayJive – Alexia Thainara
- “I’ll take Alexa Thainara despite the step up in competition. Lemos is now 39 years old, and I’m not convinced she’ll be able to deal with Thainara’s pressure and physical style. I expect Thainara to push the pace, mix in takedowns, and outwork Lemos over three rounds.”
Nolan – Alexia Thainara
- “At some point Alexia will get it to the ground where she’s just the more physical fighter. She’s got submissions and some good GNP as well.”
JJ (The Octagon King) – Alexia Thainara
- “Lemos has struggled with her grappling as of recently and I can see someone with the youth and strength, not to mention technique and IQ of Thainara take advantage of it.”
The Fight Analyst – Alexia Thainara
- “The younger version of Amanda Lemos would give me some pause taking Alexia Thainara, but now at 39 years old she’s well past it and Thainara will be too much for her.”
Austin Swaim – Alexia Thainara
- “I’d favor Alexia Thainara over both strawweight title fighters in action later this month. Her level of competition isn’t great, but she’s dominated with elite grappling peripherals and virtually no resistance. At the median championship age of 30, I think she dominates and eventually submits Amanda Lemos, who is due for that result spending so much time on her back.”
Ty Miller vs. Billy Ray Goff
HayJive – Ty Miller
- “I’ll take Ty Miller here. I think he’s the cleaner striker and should have the edge if this fight stays on the feet. Goff is a bit too hittable for my liking, and I don’t expect him to have much success with his grappling. Miller should be able to find the openings with his boxing and either earn a late finish or win a decision.”
Nolan – Ty Miller
- “Miller has to watch out for the grappling in Goff, but while it’s standing I expect him to land big shots, land volume, amount damage and eventually win by TKO.”
JJ (The Octagon King) – Ty Miller
- “Has the momentum, the ability to pick shots and to be aggressive with the openings.”
The Fight Analyst – Ty Miller
- “Ty Miller is going to be a tough out for Billy Ray Goff, who gives up a ton of size (4 inches of height / 5 inches of reach) in his return fight after a 15-month layoff. Miller goes out there and puts on a striking clinic, eventually putting Goff away. ”
Austin Swaim – Billy Ray Goff
- “I went into the week thinking Ty Miller would win, but upon rewatch of his fight with Fugitt, his offensive boxing was really the only positive. He was getting touched often, and we know the grappling is a work in progress. Billy Ray Goff was on a “fan favorite” trajectory before Ramiz Brahimaj found a front choke. He’s a great underdog with endurance to last deep into the fight and keep fighting for your money.”
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