This weekend (Sat., Aug. 8, 2026), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will return home to Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, for UFC Vegas 120. I hope everybody had their fill of fan excitement and explosive flares, because it’s time to return to the warehouse! In all seriousness, this card is light on name value but solid enough on good matchups. The roof isn’t going to come off, but fans can expect some quality scraps.
Let’s dig into the analysis and predictions of the four main card fights leading up to the main event:
TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 14: Billy Quarantillo prepares to face Cub Swanson in a featherweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Amalie Arena on December 14, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Lightweight: Carlos Diego Ferreira (-186) vs. Billy Quarantillo (+144)
Best Win for Ferreira? Anthony Pettis For Quarantillo? Alexander Hernandez
Current Streak: Both men lost their last two bouts
X-Factor: Quarantillo is heading up to 155 pounds
How these two match up: This is going to be a car crash!
Following in the mold of Rafael dos Anjos, Ferreira is a jiu-jitsu ace who developed into a pressure fighter. He’s a solid enough boxer with good power and a snapping front kick, and turning his pace into a weapon really allowed him to land more takedowns. From 2016-2020, the Brazilian ripped off an excellent six-fight win streak that saw him climb into contention, but the 41 year old has definitely slowed in recent years.
He’s still a rock-solid Lightweight, though.
Quarantillo, meanwhile, established himself as a Featherweight action fighter quickly after his Contender Series pickup in 2020. “Billy Q” is just an aggressive fighter, equally happy to throw lots of volume or grind endlessly for takedowns. Either way, he aims to break down his opposition.
Unless Ferreira is washed — which is certainly possible given his age — this feels like a great matchup for Ferreira, who is simply bigger and better. Quarantillo will have a damn hard time wrestling the larger Lightweight, who is also slicker on the canvas. On the feet, Quarantillo might have better odds, but he’s still going to end up forced onto the back foot and will have to defend takedowns in addition to combinations.
There might be a scare or two, but I expect Ferreira returns to the win column in classic pressure fashion.
Prediction: Ferreira via decision
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 03: Darren Elkins is seen during his featherweight fight against Jonathan Pearce during the UFC Fight Night event at Amway Center on December 03, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Featherweight: Darren Elkins (-720) vs. Yadier del Valle (+450)
Best Win for Elkins? Mirsad Bektic For del Valle? Connor Matthews
Current Streak: Both men lost their last bout
X-Factor: Elkins is coming off injury and layoff
How these two match up: Okay, maybe this fight will be a car crash too.
Sixteen years after his UFC debut, Elkins will step into the Octagon for the 30th time. “The Damage” is as hard-nosed as they come, a non-stop wrestler with great scrambling ability who breaks the will of his opponents. Elkins has the most bouts, takedowns, and second most victories in UFC Featherweight history.
Del Valle, meanwhile, is still establishing himself. The 30-year-old BJJ black belt in 2-1 inside the Octagon, but his best victory is currently being investigated by the FBI, so … del Valle still has a lot to prove as a UFC fighter. He looks slick on the canvas but was also thoroughly controlled by Jordan Leavitt in his last appearance.
A disclosure: I trained with Darren Elkins for many years. His work ethic behind the scenes is truly inspirational, and his in-cage grit is the stuff of legend. You will not find a man more respected by his peers than “The Damage.” If you think I’m picking against him in his retirement fight against some 30-year-old unproven jiu-jitsu prospect, you’re out of your f—king mind.
Even given Elkins’ age and layoff, these odds are outrageous. He’s not facing a power puncher here, just a smaller grappler who is likely to play his game. Elkins has made an entire career of out-hustling fighters like that, and one more upset win shouldn’t surprise anyone.
Prediction: Elkins via decision
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 14: Amanda Lemos of Brazil punches Gillian Robertson of Canada in a strawweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Meta APEX on March 14, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Strawweight: Amanda Lemos (+200) vs. Alexia Thainara (-265)
Best Win for Lemos? Mackenzie Dern For Thainara? Loma Lookboonme
Current Streak: Lemos has lost two in a row, while Thainara has won three straight in the UFC
X-Factor: Lemos is 39 years old
How these two match up: This is a solid booking between a former title challenger and rising prospect.
Lemos is a powerhouse for 115 pounds, carrying the kind of snap in her fists that shocks opponents. She’s shown off some sneaky jiu-jitsu as well, though her defensive wrestling has let her down on multiple occasions versus top-tier competition. Thainara, meanwhile, is an athletic up-and-comer who relies heavily on her jiu-jitsu skill. “Burguesinha” can explode through a double leg takedown with the best of ‘em, and once on top, her control is tough to shake.
I would be tempted to call for the upset here, but I was burned too recently. Last time out, Lemos was picking apart Gillian Robertson (see above) and stuffing her takedowns with relative ease. However, her failure to fully break away from takedowns and halt grappling exchanges allowed Robertson to turn failed takedowns into successful top position … and Lemos just isn’t very good at scrambling back to her feet.
If Lemos executes the proper game plan, she should take Thainara’s head off. More likely, an early mistake or two lands her in bottom position for a long period of time, and then she’s much less dangerous when the next round starts them standing once more.
Prediction: Thainara via decision
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 24: (R-L) Ty Miller strikes Adam Fugitt in a welterweight bout during the UFC 324 event at T-Mobile Arena on January 24, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Welterweight: Ty Miller (-350) vs. Billy Ray Goff (+250)
Best Win for Miller? Adam Fugitt For Goff? Yusaku Kinoshita
Current Streak: Miller recently won his UFC debut, while Goff has lost two straight
X-Factor: Both young athletes hit hard and are hittable
How these two match up: There’s no situation where these two don’t end up brawling.
Long and lanky for the division, Miller is a boxer with cracking straight punches. He’s not a sniper at distance though — “Thriller” likes to throw down! Goff is an ultra high-volume slugger who maintains his pace deep into fights. Between the two, he’s the more likely man to chase a takedown, but he still prefers to stand and trade.
These odds seem a bit wide. Miller looks to be the better overall prospect thanks to his size, youth, and firepower, but he’s still green. He got split open by Fugitt in his last fight, who is less of an offensive force than Goff. These two are going to go toe-to-toe, and it’s not like Miller’s head movement is spectacular! As such, this reads closer to a coin flip.
All that said, I do still slightly favor Miller. Goff struggled a bit with the height and reach of Trey Waters a couple years ago, and Miller’s jab might give him similar issues as he tries to find the pocket. In a scrappy fight, getting touched up before the exchanges even start can really wear down a fighter.