In its return to the newly revamped UFC APEX, the UFC produced another incredible card on Saturday, persevering with its run of entertaining struggle nights. With younger prospects on the rise, a number of first-time UFC winners, and new contenders rising in two divisions, let’s take a look at who the matchmaking workforce ought to give every winner from UFC Vegas 120 subsequent.
Matchmaking: Predominant Card
Mateusz Gamrot vs. Quillan Salkilld
If there was any doubt earlier than, it’s now abundantly clear that Quillan Salkilld is each bit a championship contender within the light-weight division. Salkilld turned simply the second man to complete Mateusz Gamrot, placing him away within the first spherical by rear-naked choke. Salkilld improved to 6-0 within the UFC, all for the reason that begin of 2026, with three wins by knockout and two by submission.
It doesn’t matter what the matchmaking workforce does with Quillan Salkilld, they will have a enjoyable downside to take care of. After breaking into the highest 10, Salkilld deserves one other opponent ranked above him as he continues his run towards the title. Benoit Saint Denis is ranked No. 6 however is seeking to get again within the win column after getting submitted by Paddy Pimblett. Matchmaking these two makes an excessive amount of sense for the UFC.
Subsequent Combat: Benoit Saint Denis
Diego Ferreira vs. Billy Quarantillo
At age 42, Diego Ferreira appeared pretty much as good as he ever has, choosing up the win in a Combat of the Evening effort. Saturday marked Ferreira’s 18th look within the UFC, and he set a private file for vital strikes, touchdown 116 photographs on Billy Quarantillo. A longtime staple of the 155-pound division, Ferreira proved he has greater than sufficient left within the tank earlier than he hangs up the gloves.
Ferreira stays on the outskirts of the highest 15, as does King Inexperienced, who has gone 3-0 in 2026 at age 39. The 2 have 18 and 31 fights within the UFC, respectively, and have always been out and in of the highest 15 all through their careers, however have by no means been locked within the cage collectively. Matchmaking Ferreira and Inexperienced would give followers an superior scrap between two veterans who’re nonetheless greater than able to successful fights.
Subsequent Combat: King Inexperienced
Darren Elkins vs. Yadier Del Valle
Yadier Del Valle spoiled the retirement social gathering for Darren Elkins, knocking out “The Injury” in 31 seconds with a nasty left hook. After struggling his first skilled loss in his final struggle towards Jordan Leavitt, Del Valle received again within the win column, persevering with to show he’s a professional up-and-comer at featherweight.
At 11-1 as a professional and 3-1 within the UFC, Del Valle deserves a shot at one other veteran who can nonetheless compete at a excessive stage. Andre Fili has fought for the UFC 27 instances and has confirmed to be a superb litmus take a look at for the way proficient a 145-pounder could be within the UFC. With Fili seeking to get again within the win column following a pair of losses, matchmaking him with Del Valle would make a number of sense.
Subsequent Combat: Andre Fili
Amanda Lemos vs. Alexia Thainara
Alexia Thainara continued her ascent up the 115-pound ladder, defeating former title challenger Amanda Lemos by unanimous choice. For the primary time in Thainara’s UFC profession, followers noticed her overcome adversity after Lemos harm her badly with a pullback proper hand within the second spherical. With the win, Thainara improves to 4-0 within the promotion and can enter the highest 10 on Tuesday.
For sure, Thainara is in line for a top-10 opponent subsequent. Seventh-ranked Crazy Godinez just lately referred to as out Virna Jandiroba, however because the No. 7-ranked contender and coming off a loss, she could also be wanting down the rankings for her subsequent struggle. Godinez prides herself on being essentially the most energetic fighter in all of ladies’s MMA. Matchmaking Godinez and Thainara ought to end in a high-level placing affair.
Subsequent Combat: Crazy Godinez
Billy Ray Goff vs. Ty Miller
Arguably essentially the most spectacular efficiency of the night time belonged to Ty Miller, who earned a $100K bonus for his third-round knockout of Billy Ray Goff. Miller landed a whopping 163 strikes on his opponent in simply over 10 minutes as he improved his file to an ideal 8-0. A former Golden Gloves champion, Miller has a number of the most spectacular boxing fundamentals and combos within the sport regardless of his youth.
Now 8-0 as a professional and 2-0 within the UFC, Miller deserves an enormous step up in competitors subsequent. One may argue Miller ought to get the quick monitor up the rankings, however the matchmaking workforce would do him a favor by giving him a confirmed veteran as an alternative. At age 41, Nicolas Dalby has confirmed he can nonetheless compete, most just lately defeating Saygid Izagakhmaev by choice final November. Dalby would supply the suitable step up for Miller.
Subsequent Combat: Nicolas Dalby
Matchmaking: Prelims
Steven Asplund vs. Guilherme Pat
Steven Asplund continues to be probably the most entertaining fighters within the heavyweight division. The bout produced three knockdowns, as Asplund in the end did simply sufficient to win the third spherical and declare a 29-28 unanimous choice victory over Guilherme Pat. With the win, Asplund improved to 2-1 within the UFC since incomes a contract on DWCS final summer season.
Whereas Asplund referred to as for former champion Jamahal Hill, he’s nonetheless not prepared for that huge of a step up in competitors. Jose Montanha additionally received on Saturday, simply submitting Louie Sutherland in his UFC debut. Each Asplund and Montanha can be seeking to earn back-to-back wins, and with each producing spectacular performances at UFC Vegas 120, matchmaking the 2 collectively would make a number of sense.
Subsequent Combat: Jose Montanha
Diyar Nurghozay vs. Bruno Lopes
Diyar Nurghozay continued to proper the ship on Saturday, choosing up his second straight win within the UFC after starting his tenure at 0-2. Nurghozay overcame a nasty-looking eye poke from Bruno Lopes and completed his opponent with a mix of strikes with one second to go within the first spherical.
Now at 2-2 within the promotion, Nurghozay is in line to see a step up in competitors for his subsequent scrap. As of final 12 months, Zhang Minyang was seen as one of many hottest up-and-coming prospects within the division. Nonetheless, he’s now misplaced back-to-back contests, leaving his true standing within the division unclear. With Minyang and Nurghozay every having a 2-2 UFC file, matchmaking the 2 collectively appears to be the subsequent step.
Subsequent Combat: Zhang Minyang
Louie Sutherland vs. Jose Montanha
In his long-awaited UFC debut, Jose Montanha cashed as a +160 underdog, making it look straightforward in his first-round submission win over Louie Sutherland. Montanha improved to 7-1 as a professional and has now received 4 straight fights by submission, courting again to 2023 on the regional scene. After accidents pressured him to overlook a 12 months of motion, Montanha will probably look to get again within the cage sooner somewhat than later.
As talked about earlier than, Steven Asplund is one other blossoming heavyweight who picked up a win on Saturday. Asplund vs. Montanha could be a real striker-versus-grappler affair, and with each coming off wins, matchmaking the 2 collectively seems like the very best subsequent step.
Subsequent Combat: Steven Asplund
Manoel Sousa vs. Richie Miranda
Manoel Sousa improved to 2-0 within the UFC, successful in his short-notice contest towards Richie Miranda. Sousa isn’t essentially the most technical striker however throws absolute warning to the wind with all of his photographs. Whereas he might by no means change into a championship contender, Sousa has confirmed he’s extremely enjoyable to observe anytime he steps into the Octagon.
Mike Davis is one other offense-first striker who’s seeking to get again within the win column after dropping to Nurullo Aliev two weekends in the past in Abu Dhabi. Anytime Sousa is matched up towards one other striker, followers can count on fireworks within the cage. A possible matchup between Sousa and Davis has Combat of the Evening written throughout it.
Subsequent Combat: Mike Davis
Miles Johns vs. Gianni Vazquez
Name the ambulance! However not for me!
Miles Johns rapidly turned the tide on Saturday after getting surprised by Gianni Vazquez, knocking his opponent out with a step-in left hook within the first spherical. The win marks Johns’ return to the victory column for the primary time since June 2024. Johns has now fought 13 instances within the UFC, proving to be a strong veteran within the bantamweight division.
The primary order of enterprise for Johns is to get him out of the UFC APEX. For the reason that pandemic, 9 of his 11 fights have taken place on the venue. Bernardo Sopaj has appeared spectacular, successful his final two fights after dropping his UFC debut towards Vinicius Oliveira. Each Johns and Sopaj are ranked someplace in the course of the 135-pound ladder, and matchmaking the 2 would permit considered one of them to get one step nearer to the highest 15.
Subsequent Combat: Bernardo Sopaj
Julianna Miller vs. Ravena Oliveira
Julianna Miller placed on her greatest efficiency to this point on Saturday, ending Ravena Oliveira with a second-round rear-naked choke. With the win, she improved to 3-3 within the promotion. The most important critique of Miller has been her lack of power of schedule since successful Season 30 of TUF.
Miller not solely saved her spot on the roster but additionally proved she’s by no means a simple out following her win. Anna Melisano is one other TUF alum who made her UFC debut final month in OKC, dropping to Dione Barbosa. Matchmaking these two girls collectively would make a number of sense and permit considered one of them to get nearer to the 125-pound rankings.
Subsequent Combat: Anna Melisano
Gigi Canuto vs. Carol Foro
Large credit score to each Gigi Canuto and Carol Foro, who went to absolute struggle on quick discover of their UFC debuts to set the tone for an unimaginable night time of fights. These two had been arguably snubbed of Combat of the Evening after the award was given to Ferreira and Quarantillo. Hopefully, the UFC gave Canuto and Foro some further money for his or her back-and-forth affair as nicely.
With the win, Carol Foro improved her skilled file to 10-1 and has now received eight straight fights, together with performances on the regional circuit, courting again to Could 2024. Between her scrap with Shanelle Dyer on DWCS and her struggle with Canuto on Saturday, it’s clear that Foro can produce fireworks anytime she steps into the cage.
Alice Ardelean has racked up three straight wins within the UFC, together with a Combat of the Evening effort with Rayanne Dos Santos in Could 2025. Matchmaking these two girls may simply produce one other Combat of the Evening contest.
Subsequent Combat: Alice Ardelean
