LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 08: Diego Ferreira of Brazil punches Billy Quarantillo in a lightweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Meta APEX on August 08, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
At 42 years old, Diego Ferreira continues to prove there’s still plenty of fight left in him.
The Brazilian veteran weathered Billy Quarantillo’s relentless pressure, countered effectively on the feet and showed off his grappling to earn a unanimous decision victory Saturday night at UFC Vegas 120, improving his professional record to 20-7.
Round 1 – Quarantillo immediately put the pressure on Ferreira, marching forward behind teep kicks and overhand rights as chants of “USA” rang through the arena.
Ferreira remained composed and caught Quarantillo with a clean left hook he never saw coming. Quarantillo continued to press forward, however, eventually changing levels for a takedown. Ferreira stuffed the attempt by pushing his opponent’s head down before the two returned to the feet.
Once there, Ferreira began attacking the body with kicks. Quarantillo continued to pressure, but just a few minutes into the opening round, the American already appeared to be slowing down.
Ferreira took advantage by sitting back and firing counters as Quarantillo came forward. Quarantillo tried to keep his chin tucked behind his shoulder while returning fire before shooting for another single leg takedown. Once again, Ferreira easily stuffed the attempt.
After breaking free, Ferreira connected with a sharp one-two combination.
Quarantillo continued charging forward, but Ferreira made him pay before changing levels and easily taking the fight to the canvas. The Brazilian worked his way into side control, though Quarantillo managed to recover half guard.
From top position, Ferreira looked to do damage with elbows while Quarantillo attempted to work into deep half guard and create an escape. Ferreira shut that down, flattening him onto his back and continuing to punish him from the top.
Quarantillo eventually battled his way back to his feet. With little time remaining, he went right back to pressuring Ferreira and throwing until the horn sounded.
Round 2 – Quarantillo came out aggressively to start the second, immediately putting Ferreira back on the defensive. Ferreira responded with a flurry of strikes as he looked to connect with a big hook, but nothing landed clean.
Round 3 – Quarantillo briefly jumped onto the cage before the third round began, firing himself up before immediately returning to his pressure-heavy approach.
Ferreira was ready for it, countering as Quarantillo came forward while mixing takedown attempts into his offense.
Quarantillo eventually backed Ferreira against the fence and connected with several heavy shots. He then changed levels, took the Brazilian down and began hunting for a submission. Ferreira responded by hitting a switch and taking Quarantillo’s back.
Ferreira was positioned too high, allowing Quarantillo to try shaking him off, but the scramble ultimately sent both fighters back to the canvas.
From there, Ferreira transitioned into mount and began unloading elbows. Quarantillo attacked the leg in an effort to create an escape and eventually used it to work his way back to his feet.
Once standing, Quarantillo went right back to work. He unloaded combinations, stuffed another Ferreira takedown attempt and continued throwing with everything he had.
Ferreira answered with a nasty right hand that rocked Quarantillo, but even that couldn’t slow the American down. With 90 seconds remaining, Quarantillo continued hunting for the finish and landed several clean shots, including a brutal uppercut that forced Ferreira to shoot for a takedown with less than a minute left.
Quarantillo continued attacking the body while looking for a submission with 30 seconds remaining.
Ferreira attempted a late sweep but couldn’t complete it, leaving Quarantillo on top to close out the fight with ground-and-pound.
The final horn sounded with Quarantillo in control, sending the fight to the judges’ scorecards.
At 42-years-old Ferreira took the unanimous decision getting his record to 20-7.
Official Result: Diego Ferreira def. Billy Quarantillo via Unanimous Decision (30-27×3)