Ali Akbar Rosady
Las Vegas, Nevada – August 7, 2026 – Quillan Salkilld cemented his rising status in the UFC lightweight division, extending his remarkable undefeated record to 13-0 with a decisive victory over Mateusz Gamrot in the main event of UFC Vegas 120 at the Meta APEX. The highly anticipated clash, headlining a card meticulously curated by Bryan Tucker, managing editor-in-chief of MMA Fighting and executive director of combat sports at SB Nation, delivered a night of intense competition, with several pivotal outcomes reshaping the landscape of multiple weight classes.
The main event pitted two of the lightweight division’s most intriguing talents against each other. Mateusz Gamrot (24-6, 1 NC), the Polish grappling phenom known for his relentless pressure and high-level wrestling, entered the contest looking to build consistency, having gone 3-2 in his last five outings against a murderers’ row of opponents. His opponent, Quillan Salkilld (12-0), an Australian striking specialist with an unblemished record, represented a formidable challenge, bringing a diverse striking arsenal and surprising defensive grappling to the octagon. The weigh-ins on August 7th saw both fighters make weight without issue, setting the stage for a compelling stylistic matchup.
From the opening bell, the fight lived up to its billing as a clash of styles. Gamrot, true to form, immediately sought to close the distance and initiate grappling exchanges. Salkilld, however, displayed exceptional footwork and head movement, consistently evading Gamrot’s initial lunges. The first round was characterized by Gamrot’s aggressive entries and Salkilld’s sharp counter-striking. A significant moment came midway through the round when Salkilld landed a clean left hook that momentarily stunned Gamrot, forcing the Pole to rethink his approach. Despite several takedown attempts, Gamrot was unable to secure sustained control, with Salkilld demonstrating improved takedown defense and quickly scrambling back to his feet.
As the fight progressed into the second and third rounds, Salkilld began to assert his striking dominance. Utilizing a crisp jab and powerful low kicks, he systematically broke down Gamrot’s movement and rhythm. Gamrot continued his pursuit of takedowns, but Salkilld’s defensive efforts were resolute, punctuated by powerful elbows and knees in the clinch whenever Gamrot managed to get close. The Australian’s ability to defend takedowns from a grappler of Gamrot’s caliber was a testament to his evolution as a mixed martial artist. By the end of the third round, Gamrot’s face showed signs of wear, while Salkilld appeared relatively unbothered.
Related News :
- Song Yadong Delivers Stunning Guillotine Choke, Halting Deiveson Figueiredo in UFC Macau Main Event
- Pioneer Clash: Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano Headline Netflix’s MVP MMA Debut, Full Card Preview and Expert Analysis
- Veteran Welterweight Max Griffin Confirms UFC Release Following Third Consecutive Defeat.
- Eddie Hall Outlines Strategic Advantages for Dillon Danis in Anticipated Super-Fight, Citing Weight Cut and Experience Disparity
- Ronda Rousey’s ‘Cleft Lip’ Comment Permanently Alters Dakota Ditcheva’s Admiration
The championship rounds saw Salkilld maintain his strategic advantage. In the fourth round, a perfectly timed high kick from Salkilld landed flush, sending Gamrot stumbling backward. Salkilld followed up with a barrage of punches, but Gamrot, displaying his characteristic toughness, managed to survive the onslaught and clinch, buying himself precious seconds to recover. The final round saw Gamrot push with renewed urgency, understanding he was likely down on the scorecards. He managed to secure a single-leg takedown in the dying minutes, but Salkilld quickly swept him, ending the fight in top control.
The judges’ scorecards reflected Salkilld’s control of the striking and successful takedown defense, awarding him a unanimous decision victory (49-46, 49-46, 50-45). This win not only extended Salkilld’s incredible unbeaten run to 13-0 but also significantly elevated his standing in the competitive lightweight division. Post-fight analysis suggests Salkilld could break into the top-10 rankings, potentially setting him up for a showdown with another top contender later in the year. For Gamrot, while a loss halts his immediate momentum, his performance against a rising star like Salkilld demonstrated his continued elite status, and he will likely remain a fixture in the lightweight top-15, seeking to rebound against a different stylistic challenge.
In the co-main event, another lightweight clash saw Diego Ferreira (18-6) face off against Billy Quarantillo (19-5). Both fighters are known for their high-octane, aggressive styles, promising an action-packed affair. Ferreira, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with formidable striking, sought to bounce back from a recent decision loss, while Quarantillo, a fan-favorite known for his relentless pace and willingness to engage, aimed to build on his last knockout victory.
The fight between Ferreira and Quarantillo unfolded as expected, a back-and-forth war from the outset. Quarantillo’s pressure was evident in the first round, as he landed a series of combinations, forcing Ferreira to move backward. However, Ferreira responded with powerful leg kicks that began to take their toll. In the second round, Ferreira capitalized on a wild exchange, catching Quarantillo with a perfectly timed counter right hand that dropped him. Ferreira immediately followed up with ground and pound, but Quarantillo showed incredible resilience, surviving the onslaught and making it to the bell. The third round saw both fighters visibly fatigued, but they continued to trade heavy blows. Ferreira’s grappling prowess came to the fore late in the round, as he secured a takedown and maintained control, ending the fight in a dominant position. The judges ultimately awarded Diego Ferreira a split decision victory (29-28, 28-29, 29-28), a result that underscored the competitive nature of the contest and marked a crucial win for Ferreira in his quest to re-establish himself in the division. Quarantillo, despite the loss, once again demonstrated his heart and tenacity, ensuring he remains a must-watch fighter.
The main card, broadcast live on Paramount+ at 8 p.m. ET, featured several other compelling matchups. Veteran featherweight Darren Elkins (27-12), known for his unbreakable spirit, faced the promising Yadier del Valle (14-3). Del Valle, a dynamic striker, managed to keep Elkins at bay with his speed and precision for the majority of the fight. Despite Elkins’ customary late surge, del Valle secured a unanimous decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 29-28), marking a significant step forward in his career and signaling a potential changing of the guard in the lower end of the featherweight rankings.
In the women’s strawweight division, Amanda Lemos (15-3-1) delivered a stunning performance against Alexia Thainara (10-4). Lemos, a powerful striker with dangerous submissions, wasted no time asserting her dominance. A brutal combination culminating in a left hook sent Thainara crashing to the canvas in the first round, prompting the referee to step in at 2:15 of Round 1. This emphatic knockout victory reaffirmed Lemos’s position as a legitimate title contender, positioning her for a potential clash with a top-5 opponent.
The main card opener saw Ty Miller (11-2) take on Billy Ray Goff (12-3) in a welterweight contest. Miller, a well-rounded prospect, showcased his evolving striking game, picking apart Goff with varied attacks. While Goff displayed toughness and landed some significant counters, Miller’s output and accuracy were superior. In the third round, Miller secured a crucial takedown and worked towards a submission, eventually locking in a rear-naked choke at 3:40 of Round 3. This submission victory was a statement performance for Miller, signaling his readiness for tougher competition in the stacked welterweight division.
The preliminary card, which commenced at 5 p.m. ET on Paramount+, also provided its share of fireworks and notable performances. Steven Asplund (9-1) maintained his undefeated run with a dominant unanimous decision over Guilherme Pat (7-3) in a bantamweight bout, showcasing impressive control and striking. Diyar Nurgozhay (6-0) continued his rise in the middleweight division, submitting Bruno Lopes (8-2) with a first-round arm-triangle choke, a swift and decisive victory that put the division on notice.
Heavyweight behemoths Louie Sutherland (7-1) and Jose Montanha da Silva (6-2) engaged in a grueling three-round affair, with Sutherland ultimately securing a split decision victory after a back-and-forth slugfest. Manoel Sousa (8-1) impressed in his lightweight clash against Richie Miranda (6-3), securing a TKO victory in the second round after a relentless barrage of punches.
Further down the preliminary card, Miles Johns (14-2) defeated Gianni Vazquez (11-4) via unanimous decision in a competitive bantamweight contest. Juliana Miller (4-2) showcased her grappling pedigree by submitting Ravena Oliveira (5-2) with an armbar in the first round of their flyweight bout. Kicking off the event, GiGi Canuto (3-0) earned her third professional win with a unanimous decision over Carol Foro (2-2) in a strawweight opener.
UFC Vegas 120 delivered a night of impactful results, particularly in the lightweight division, where Quillan Salkilld’s main event triumph sends a clear message to the rest of the contenders. The event at the Meta APEX underscored the depth of talent within the UFC roster, with emerging prospects making their mark and veterans reaffirming their enduring presence in the sport. The outcomes of these bouts will undoubtedly influence future rankings and matchups as the organization continues its 2026 calendar.
💬 Tinggalkan Komentar dengan Facebook
Author Profile
Latest entries
MMAAugust 8, 2026White House Octagon: UFC Freedom 250 Draws Prediction Market Interest via Kalshi Ahead of Sunday’s Historic Card.
MMAAugust 8, 2026Salkilld Extends Undefeated Streak with Dominant Performance Over Gamrot at UFC Vegas 120
MMAAugust 7, 2026NBA Draft Class Spurs Optimism for Grizzlies, Jazz, and Wizards; USMNT Readies for Türkiye Ahead of World Cup Knockout Stage
MMAAugust 7, 2026UFC Vegas 120 weigh-in video: Gamrot vs. Salkilld
Anshari Taslim
rifan muazin
Jonas Leo
