After nearly two months away from it, the Octagon heads back to Meta Apex for UFC Vegas 120.
The event features 12 fights, including a five-round lightweight main event between veteran Mateusz Gamrot and up-and-coming contender Quillan Salkilld.
It all takes place on Saturday at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT on Sportsnet+. Here’s what you need to know:
Top-10-ranked lightweights clash in main-event spotlight
In the main event, sixth-ranked lightweight contender Gamrot takes on eighth-ranked Salkilld in what should be a fantastic main event at 155 pounds.
Gamrot, at 9-4 in the UFC, has proven to be one of the toughest lightweight outs. He is an incredible grappler and super durable, someone who is sitting just outside of the elite top-five.
Salkilld is 5-0 in the UFC with four first-round finishes, and he called out Gamrot following his last fight, a first-round KO win over veteran Beneil Dariush. While this is a significant step up in competition for Salkilld, he is ultra confident in his abilities and is favoured to win.
Look for an amazing main event, with the winner closing in on a lightweight title shot.
Veterans meet in potential co-main-event car crash
The co-main event should be a very exciting fight between lightweight veteran Diego Ferreira and Billy Quarantillo, who is moving up to 155 pounds after previously competing 10 pounds lighter.
Ferreira has been in the UFC since 2014, and he holds a 10-7 record inside the Octagon. At 41, he is certainly on the downside of his career, but he still possesses knockout power.
As for Quarantillo, “Billy Q” joined the UFC in 2019 and has a 6-5 record inside the Octagon. He is coming off a bad knockout loss to UFC Hall of Famer Cub Swanson in his last fight in December 2024, so he’s had a lengthy layoff, but he’s hopeful that not having to cut so much weight will give him a better chance to get his hand raised again.
Darren Elkins makes final UFC walk
In a main-card featured bout, Darren Elkins takes on Yaider del Valle in what will be the final tilt of the long UFC career of “The Damage,” who began fighting in the UFC in 2021.
Elkins' 19-11 record is impressive, but given he is 42 years old and has taken a ton of damage during his career, he’s making the right decision to finally walk away from the sport in which he has been competing as a pro since 2007.
Of course, the UFC gave Elkins a very tough matchup in his final fight, as he takes on del Valle, who is 2-1 in the Octagon. This is going to be a hard fight for Elkins to win, and he’s the biggest underdog on the card. One thing we do know is that this fight will be bloody.
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Heavyweight fan favourite Steve Asplund returns
In the preliminary card headline, Steven Asplund makes his return against Guilherme Pat.
Asplund is a fan favourite due to his unique physical appearance, as he once weighed over 500 pounds yet now checks in at 260 pounds, leading to him having lots of visible loose skin. But don’t let his appearance fool you: Asplund is 1-1 in the UFC, with a knockout win over Sean Sharaf in his debut and a decision loss to Vitor Petrino his last time out.
Pat is also 1-1, having beaten Allen Frye Jr. by decision in his debut before dropping a decision to Thomas Petersent. Pat is the opposite of Asplund physically, as he is a true specimen to look at on the scale. But when we talk about actual fighting skills, Asplund has him beat, which is why he’s the betting favourite.
Several prospects make UFC debuts
In addition to the aforementioned fights featuring veterans, there are also four fighters making their UFC debuts inside the Octagon, including two against each other.
In a lightweight bout, Manoel Sousa takes on Richie Miranda in a fight that you really don’t want to miss, as both are exciting strikers who always bring the heat.
Sousa is 1-0 in the UFC with a knockout win over Bolaji Oki. Miranda has won seven straight fights, and he was signed to the UFC on short notice to take this bout. It should be an exciting scrap for as long as it lasts.
Veteran Miles Johns meets newcomer Jessie Rosas, the brother of bantamweight contender Raul Rosas Jr, in a featherweight bout. With Johns coming off three straight wins, this could be a great matchup for Rosas to enter the UFC, as he also comes in with three straight victories.
Finally, don’t forget about Gigi Canuto, who takes on Carol Foro in a women’s strawweight bout. Canuto is fresh off an appearance on “The Ultimate Fighter,” while Foro is coming off a contract-winning performance on Dana White’s Contender Series last fall in a bout where she landed three knockdowns. This should be an awesome fight between two young prospects on the rise, so don’t be surprised if these two manage to steal the show.
