UFC Vegas 120: Gamrot vs. Salkilld Preview, Predictions and Picks

The UFC returns to the APEX in Las Vegas on Saturday, Aug. 8, with a lightweight matchup that could have significant implications for the division’s crowded contender picture. Veteran Mateusz Gamrot squares off with rising Australian Quillan Salkilld in the UFC Fight Night main event, while a mix of established names, hungry prospects, and divisional wild cards round out the card. With every fight carrying the potential to reshape the UFC landscape, here’s a closer look at the matchups and storylines heading into Saturday night.

The event airs live on Paramount+ starting at 5 p.m. ET. Combat Press writer Andrew Sumian preview the action this week.

Quillan Salkilld has finished his last three opponents; can he make it four in a row and score the biggest win of his career?

Sumian: Since March 2023, Gamrot has compiled a 5-2 record, and his only losses are to Dan Hooker and Charles Oliveira. Gamrot often gets criticized for his lack of excitement, but he has recorded three Fight of the Night bonuses since joining the UFC and is coming off a submission victory over Esteban Ribovics. He may not be the most exciting lightweight on the roster, but the Polish native is without a doubt a top 10 lightweight in the promotion’s most stacked division.

On the other hand, Salkilld is a 26-year-old Australian native and has recorded a perfect 5-0 record since joining the promotion. He most recently defeated former top-ranked contender Beneil Dariush and cemented himself as a top 15 lightweight. Currently, the UFC Meta rankings have Salkilld ranked number nine in the division, which is pretty ridiculous. There should be no reason that he is ranked higher than the likes of Mauricio Ruffy or Rafael Fiziev, but that is neither here nor there. If the young prospect takes out a name like Gamrot, he is going to find himself ranked right outside the top five and position himself favorably for a title eliminator in his next UFC outing.

We know that Gamrot’s path to victory is straightforward. Pressure, spam the takedown, and control from the top. The wild card here is Salkilld. He can take people down, knock them out, and holds a black belt in BJJ. He seems to be extremely well rounded and is only getting better with more time spent inside the Octagon. Still, Gamrot is going to be the biggest challenge of his career, and he will almost certainly be put in frustrating positions.

I really want to believe that Salkilld is ready for this type of step up, but I cannot seem to convince myself. Gamrot has proven time after time that he is consistent, methodical, and tempered in his approach to fighting. Salkilld is going to have his moments, but it will be the veteran that takes home a 49-46 unanimous decision victory.

Both Billy Quarantillo and Diego Ferreira have lost two straight; which man rights the ship and gets the victory in the co-main event?

Sumian: The combined age of these two combatants is 78 years old, and both are on losing streaks. Can we seriously not do better? Neither of these guys should be in the UFC anymore, and yet they are the co-main event! I have no idea who’s going to win this fight because I simply do not care that this bout is taking place. Let’s go with Ferreira pulling off a slick submission, I guess, and sending “Billy Q” packing.

What one fighter’s UFC career is on the ropes at this event?

Sumian: Has to be Miles Johns, who is 0-3 in his last three fights. 0-4 will almost certainly lead to a promotional exit.

Which fight is the sleeper matchup on this card?

Sumian: I like the Louie Sutherland-Jose Luiz fight. Yes, I know it is heavyweight, and most of the time heavyweight fights are bad, but I have faith in this one being exciting and ending in a finish.
Who takes home the “Performance of the Night” honors?

Sumian: I have this weird feeling that we are going to see vintage Amanda Lemos this weekend. She hasn’t recorded a knockout in over five years, but I think we are going to get one.

Pair this card with…

Sumian: I will be pairing this card with Las Vegas and watching the fights at the hotel sportsbook. If I was not in Sin City, there would be no chance of me tuning into this event. These fight cards are getting progressively worse.