8/6/26
A great return to the new and improved Apex Center in Las Vegas that showcased wars, domination, and plenty of finishes to go around. A star living up to the hype against elite competition in the main event and an entire card full of highlights from young prospects to long-time veterans. Even a retirement fight in the midst. Here is a full recap of UFC Fight Night: Gamrot vs Salkilld
Billy Ray Goff vs Ty Miller: Welterweight
Goff started off the first round with immediate pressure, forcing Miller against the cage and shooting takedowns and clinching. Miller did a nice job defending, but the pressure of Goff was a little overwhelming for the first couple of minutes. The two would separate, but then Goff caught a head kick and went for a takedown once again. He couldn’t secure the takedown but worked in the clinch and kept control. Miller’s kept separating, though, and on the feet landed well and outstruck Goff. Miller found his range in the second round and started teeing off, landing massive punches off his lead jab and a big combination that hurt Goff badly. Miller would drop Goff but couldn’t get the finish right away. Goff somehow survived the second round, although he was battered after taking heavy punishment from Miller. It took one punch from Miller in the third round to put Goff away and secure the KO victory as he improves to 8-0 in his career.
Amanda Lemos vs Alexia Thainara: Women’s Strawweight
The first couple of minutes of the first round were even in the striking between Amanda Lemos and Alexia Thainara, who both went with a kick heavy approach to begin the fight. A low blow on Lemos would slow the fight for two minutes but as soon as the fight was back on, Thainara went to work. She landed clean punches on Lemos and then pressured her against the cage where she controlled her in the clinch f0r the rest of the round. Lemos started the second round aggressive and began to land big shots on Thainara. Alexia was forced to clinch against the cage to avoid damage but Lemos escaped. Moments later Lemos would stun Thainara with a right hand and wobble her. Thainara once again had to wrestle out of desperation and did work in the clinch, even landing a takdeown.
Lemos won the second round though and the fight went into the third tied 1-1. Thainara came out in the third round and instantly grabbed Lemos and would not let go. She controlled her against the cage for a majority of the round and although did not do much damage, had enough control time. She would end up taking Lemos down and again maintain control. Continuing to land knees and small punches in the clinch, Thainara poured it on. She knew that she needed to win the round and she did just that. She takes home the unanimous decision win and will be ranked in the top ten in the division soon.
Darren Elkins vs Yadier Del Valle: Featherweight
Yadier Del Valle spoiled the retirement party for Darren Elkins as he put him away with a bomb of a left hand inside the first minute of the fight. Yadier Del Valle is now 11-1 and just knocked out a long-time veteran with 30 fights in the company. Yadier got it done in style as he pushes towards a future ranking in the featherweight division. Defeating someone as experienced as Elkins is a big deal in the young career of Del Valle. Elkins retired after this fight with 31 fights in the UFC, where he went 19-12. He finishes with a professional record of 29-13. Congratulations to Darren Elkins on a long and impressive career.
Diego Ferreira vs Billy Quarantillo: Lightweight
Diego Ferreira was hot from the jump, smothering Billy Quarantillo with pressure and combinations. Quarantillo didn’t seem to have anything to respond with in the striking realm, and Ferreira did not let up. He would outland Quarantillo by a long shot and dealt big damage to him. He even took Billy down and landed nice ground-and-pound strikes. The second round started better for Quarantillo as he kept up somewhat with the volume of Ferreira. Diego was relentless, though, and continued to beat Quarantillo up. The defense just was not there for Billy, but he survived, and the fight went into the third round. The third round was similar to the first two, and Ferreira kept dealing out punishment. Quarantillo did get a takedown and attempted to advance to a submission, but the fight went back to the feet, and Ferreira sealed the deal. Diego gets back in the win column with the unanimous decision victory at 42 years old.
Mateusz Gamrot vs Quillan Salkilld: Lightweight
Quillan Salkilld impressed everyone watching and dominated one of the best grapplers in the division on the ground. He started the fight well on the feet and landed a big left hook that stunned Gamrot. Gamrot shot for a takedown, but Salkilld showed impressive defense and went to work. Even when the fight went back to the feet, Quillan took it back down to the ground and took Gamrot down, which showcased the level he is at. Salkilld then wrapped himself around Gamrot and locked in a rear naked choke that forced Gamrot to tap. Salkilld showed that he belongs in the top eight rankings and proved that he is the real deal in the lightweight division.
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