UFC Fight Night heads to the UFC APEX in Las Vegas on Sunday the 9th of August (South African time) with a fascinating lightweight clash topping the bill as veteran contender Mateusz Gamrot takes on rising Australian prospect Quillan Salkilld. We cover the Main Event as well as two additional bouts from the Main Card from a betting front below.
Click here to bet on the full fight card.
MATEUSZ GAMROT vs QUILLAN SALKILLD
Lightweight – Main Event:
Mateusz Gamrot enters this headline contest holding an impressive UFC record of 9 wins and 4 losses. The Polish contender has established himself as one of the division’s most complete lightweights thanks to his relentless control, strong submission game and ability to maintain a high pace across three and five round fights.
He comes into this matchup following a second round submission victory over Esteban Ribovics after previously being defeated by Charles Oliviera in similar fashion. Before this he had claimed a decision triumph over Ludovit Klein which followed a split decision loss against Dan Hooker.
Quillan Salkilld arrives with a perfect tally of 5 wins and no losses since his debut in 2025. The Australian has made a sensational start to his UFC career with a mix of explosive knockout power and dangerous submission ability while rapidly climbing the lightweight rankings.
His latest appearance resulted in a first round knockout victory over Beneil Dariush after previous wins against Jamie Mullarkey and Nasrat Haqparast where he finished both fights in the opening round. Before that he earned a unanimous decision victory over Yanal Ashmouz and had earlier stopped Anshul Jubli inside just nineteen seconds.
BETTING – click here to bet
Gamrot 2.30
Draw 21.00
Salkilld 1.73
PREDICTION:
Salkilld has had an impressive run thus far and has looked extremely dangerous on the feet due to his heavy hitting hands. Although he is useful on the canvas as well this will be a major grappling test for the prospect and Gamrot will likely try to keep this fight on the ground for long periods. I believe that Gamrot will succeed with this approach and ultimately pick up a decision victory after maintaining control throughout the fight.
DIEGO FERREIRA vs BILLY QUARANTILLO
Lightweight – Co-Main Event:
Diego Ferreira steps into the octagon holding a record of 10 wins and 7 losses within the organisation. The experienced Brazilian remains a dangerous submission specialist with underrated striking and has shared the octagon with several top lightweight contenders throughout his career.
He comes into this bout following consecutive defeats against Alexander Hernandez and Grant Dawson after previously stopping Mateusz Rebecki and Michael Johnson by knockout. Notably prior to that he was on a three fight losing streak although he fought solid opposition.
Billy Quarantillo arrives with a UFC resume of 6 wins and 5 losses. The American is known for his relentless pressure, cardio and willingness to engage in high volume striking exchanges over all three rounds although he has struggled both on his feet and on the canvas in recent years.
His latest appearance resulted in a knockout loss against Cub Swanson in December 2024 after previously suffering a submission defeat to Youssef Zalal and he has now won 2 and lost 3 of his last 5 trips to the cage.
BETTING – click here to bet
Ferreira 1.63
Draw 29.00
Quarantillo 2.45
PREDICTION:
Quarantillo’s pace and durability could make this competitive early, but Ferreira has the more dangerous finishing both on the feet and on the ground. The Brazilian’s submission threat should become increasingly important if the fight hits the mat and his experience against stronger competition gives him the edge. I expect Ferreira to find a submission finish during the second round.
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DARREN ELKINS vs YADIER DEL VALLE
Featherweight – Main Card Bout:
Darren Elkins comes into this bout with a UFC record of 19 wins and 11 losses. The veteran featherweight has built a reputation on toughness, suffocating wrestling and his ability to grind opponents down over three rounds at the age of 42.
He heads into this matchup following a knockout defeat to Julian Erosa in the opening round after previously defeating Daniel Pineda by unanimous decision and beating TJ Brown by submission in the third round.
Yadier del Valle arrives looking to make a statement having fought 3 times under the promotion of which he has won 2 and lost 1.
The Cuban prospect has made a promising start to his UFC career with back to back first round submission victories over Isaac Dulgarian and Connor Matthews, however, his latest action saw him drop a decision to Jordan Leavitt earlier this year.
BETTING – click here to bet
Elkins 6.75
Draw 34.00
Del Valle 1.14
PREDICTION:
Elkins’ experience and wrestling could create problems for a younger opponent, but del Valle looks like one of the more intriguing prospects on the card. His grappling game has been extremely effective early in fights and he should have advantages in speed and athleticism throughout the contest. I expect del Valle to control the wrestling exchanges well enough before securing another submission victory inside the first two rounds.
SUGGESTED BETS:
Gamrot vs Salkilld
Gamrot by Decision at 3.75
Ferreira vs Quarantillo
Ferreira by Submission at 6.00
Elkins vs del Valle
del Valle by Submission at 3.75
The treble works out at over 80/1 and you can use this code to follow 9272189
Note: All prices are correct at the time of writing but subject to change.
