The Octagon returned to the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, this past Saturday for UFC Vegas 120. The evening’s headliner featured an exciting lightweight showdown between Quillan Salkilld and Mateusz Gamrot.
This marked Salkilld’s inaugural headline slot under the UFC banner, following a spectacular opening-round TKO victory against Beneil Dariush. On the other side, Gamrot entered the contest looking to build momentum after bouncing back with a submission triumph over Esteban Ribovics.
In the end, Salkilld emerged victorious, securing a first-round submission against Gamrot to establish himself as a legitimate force in the 155-pound division. In the wake of UFC Vegas 120, we take a look at the logical next matchups for both lightweight fighters.
Quillan Salkilld
Hoping to demonstrate his status as a top-tier lightweight, Quillan Salkilld sent a clear message to the division by stopping Mateusz Gamrot in the first frame. Showing prowess in both striking and grappling, Salkilld proved he possesses a highly well-rounded skill set.
Following this performance, Salkilld has propelled himself into the championship conversation, making a top-five challenger a sensible next step. Pairing him with sixth-ranked Benoit Saint Denis—who recently suffered a swift defeat against Paddy Pimblett—makes perfect sense. Such a matchup could easily serve as the main event for a Fight Night event later this year, promising fireworks for as long as it goes. A victory over Saint Denis would put Salkilld on the precipice of a title opportunity.
Mateusz Gamrot
Mateusz Gamrot walked into UFC Vegas 120 aiming to solidify his championship aspirations and put an end to the rising hype surrounding Salkilld. Instead, he found himself outmatched, ultimately tapping out to a first-round submission.
With this setback, Gamrot seems positioned as a gatekeeper for the top ten rather than an immediate title threat, meaning his next opponent will likely be a lower-ranked fighter. A compelling option would be a clash with Tom Nolan, who boasts a 5-1 UFC record and has rebounded strongly since an unexpected loss in his promotional debut. Facing Gamrot offers Nolan an opportunity to break into the top ten, while Gamrot would be fighting to defend his ranking and prove he still belongs among the elite.
What matchmaking moves would you make for Quillan Salkilld and Mateusz Gamrot following the events of UFC Vegas 120?
This piece was originally published on BJPENN.COM
