UFC Fight Night: Gamrot vs. Salkilld Main Card Predictions
Mateusz Gamrot vs. Quillan Salkilld
In Quillan Salkilld’s first main event for the promotion, he will be taking on Mateusz Gamrot in a top ten bout at the Apex. Since entering the UFC in early 2025, Quillan Salkilld has made quite the splash, earning himself 5 finishes in the last year and a half. He had a fifteen second knockout in his UFC debut, and most recently knocked out long time contender Beneil Dariush in the first round. Gamrot is a tried and true UFC veteran, with three wins and two losses in his last five. He seems to be quite the prospect killer, with victories over Mateusz Rebecki and Ludovit Klein, but was finished dominantly by Charles Oliveira. Gamrot certainly has the pace and wrestling ability to drag a prospect like Salkilld into deep waters. He has clearly shown an ability to wrestle his way to a decision against most prospects, but has fallen short to the upper echelon of the division. This fight being in the Apex also favors Gamrot, and he will likely be able to push Salkilld into the cage and take him down. That being said, Quillan Salkilld has shown a great ability to scramble with his opponents thus far. Even when taken down, he has managed to get up in his fights for the UFC, as well as on the regional scene. The previous fight that I look to the most in this matchup is Hooker vs. Gamrot. In that fight, Hooker was able to scramble with Gamrot in the wrestling, and did enough on the feet to find a decision win over Gamrot. If Quillan Salkilld hits Gamrot with some of the shots that Hooker was hitting him with, Salkilld will likely knock him out cold. I believe Gamrot is going to do really well in this fight, up until he’s not. I’m picking Quillan Salkilld to find a second or third round knockout against the seasoned Mateusz Gamrot, stuffing a takedown and finding a big shot when Gamrot tries to exit the pocket.
Pick: Quillan Salkilld by KO/TKO
Diego Ferreira vs. Billy Quarantillo
For the co-main event of the evening, Billy Quarantillo makes his UFC return against an aging Diego Ferreira. Billy Quarantillo is 2-3 in his last five, and was most recently finished by the fan favourite Cub Swanson. It’s been more than a year and a half since Quarantillo last fought. Ferreira is also 2-3 in his last bouts, and was knocked out by Alexander Hernandez in his last bout. Ferreira has an excellent resume, but has suffered quite a few losses in his UFC career. In his last several bouts, he appears to be a shadow of his former self. Although Quarantillo has also had some ups and downs, he had a great fight with a former world champ in Swanson, and seems to have the cardio advantage at this point. Expect the younger fighter in Quarantillo to be a bit sharper, and likely win a decision, or possibly find a knockout in the third.
Pick: Billy Quarantillo by UD
Darren Elkins vs Yadier Del Valle
In our featured bout of the evening, Darren Elkins will have his retirement fight against Cuba’s Yadier Del Valle. Elkins is certainly a fan favourite, and is 3-2 in his last five. Del Valle is 10-1 as a professional, and recently suffered his first loss against Jordan Leavitt, who was able to wrestle and control Del Valle for the duration of three rounds. Elkins is certainly known for making insane comebacks, and fans would love to see him end his career on a high, but it’s not going to happen here. Del Valle is too imposing and powerful, and Elkins has suffered too much damage in his career to hang in here with a prospect like Del Valle. I expect that Del Valle will find a big shot early in the fight to bring Elkin’s career to a close, but keep an eye on Del Valle against some of the more technical strikers and wrestlers in the featherweight division.
Pick: Yadier Del Valle by KO/TKO
Amanda Lemos vs Alexia Thainara
For the second fight of the main card, Amanda Lemos will be taking on surging 14-1 prospect Alexia Thainara. Amanda Lemos is 2-3 in her last five, and has now shown that she is consistently unable to deal with skilled, grappling heavy fighters. Alexia Thainara is on a twelve fight winning streak, with several submissions in her last few. She is an elite grappler hailing from Brazil and should be able to take this fight over and submit Amanda Lemos after wearing her down a bit. I don’t really have too much to say here, Thainara should dominate this fight.
Pick: Alexia Thainara by Sub
Ty Miller vs Billy Ray Goff
Opening the main card is a fight I am very excited for. Newly added prospect Ty Miller will be taking on Billy Ray Goff, who is 1-2 since signing with the UFC. Ty Miller has a nasty knockout in his UFC debut over Adam Fugitt. Miller boasts a ten fight win streak headed into his second bout with the promotion. This guy has nasty striking, with solid wrestling and good power to go along with it. Miller will likely finish this one early against the shakier prospect in Goff. I think he will land a heavy combination against the cage to send Goff home early.
Pick: Ty Miller by KO/TKO
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