The UFC is back at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, for a Fight Night event. This week’s Fight Night is headlined by a Lightweight contest between No. 8 Mateusz Gamrot vs. No. 12 Quillan Salkilld. This card begins at 5:00 p.m. ET with the Prelims and continues with the Main Card at 8:00 p.m. ET on Paramount+.

Set your DraftKings fantasy MMA lineups here: UFC $333K Throwdown [$100K to 1st].

Check out my favorite fighters to add to your daily fantasy lineup for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night event.

Studs

Alexia Thainara ($8,800)

Thainara is 14-1 with eight submissions and has won her first three fights in the UFC. In her last fight, she beat Bruna Brasil in March. Thainara has her toughest test ahead of her as she faces former title challenger Amanda Lemos. Lemos, 39, has lost two straight fights and has gone 3-3 in her last six bouts.

In this matchup, both fighters are the same height (5’4″), but Thainara has a two-inch edge in standing reach (67″ vs. 65″). Thainara averages more significant strikes per minute (4.62 vs. 2.75) and more takedowns per 15 minutes (4.54 vs. 1.02) than Lemos. Lemos does possess a ton of UFC experience, but this is a very tough matchup for her. 

Through three fights in the UFC, Thainara has also been a phenomenal contributor from a fantasy perspective. Thainara has scored 119.2, 103.9, and 106.7 fantasy points in three UFC fights. When Thainara is aggressive while using all of her skills, she presents problems for every opponent. Even though she is the sixth-highest-priced fighter on this card, Thainara has the potential to be the top scorer. 

Quillan Salkilld ($8,300)

Salkilld has won 11 consecutive fights with nine wins by finish in that span. Gamrot, 35, is 26-4 with 14 finishes and is coming off a submission over Esteban Ribovics at UFC 327 in April. In this fight, Gamrot has a wide gap in experience, as he has 17 more fights on his resume than Salkilld does. 

Salkilld averages more significant strikes per minute on the feet (5.01 vs. 3.21), while being the more accurate striker (57% vs. 51%). Gamrot’s strong suit is on the ground, but he could struggle there as Salkilld lands more takedowns per 15 minutes (7.25 vs. 5.22) while having an 80 percent takedown defense. 

Although Salkilld is the 11th highest-priced fighter on the card, he averages the second most fantasy points. He is averaging 112.4 fantasy points per fight as he has scored at least 105 in all five UFC contests. Salkilld is an incredibly well-rounded fighter and is better on the feet and on the ground than Gamrot. With Salkilld’s quick pace and high output, he will likely make it difficult for Gamrot to keep up with him.

Value Play

Billy Quarantillo ($7,500)

After a 20-month hiatus, Billy Quarantillo is making his UFC return. Quarantillo is on a two-fight losing streak, and last won a fight against Damon Jackson in August 2023. Quarantillo is facing 12-year UFC veteran Diego Ferreira. Ferreira has also lost two straight, with his losses against Alexander Hernandez and Grant Dawson. 

Although Quarantillo hasn’t been as active as Ferreira recently, it also means he hasn’t taken as much damage. Quarantillo is the better all-around fighter than Ferreira. That is because Quarantillo lands 7.44 significant strikes per minute at a 54 percent rate compared to Ferreira’s 4.70 strikes and 39 percent striking accuracy. Also on the ground, Quarantillo averages more takedowns per 15 minutes (1.47 vs. 0.82). 

Even though Quarantillo is slightly taller (5’10” vs. 5’9″), Ferreira has a four-inch reach advantage (74″ vs. 70″). Quarantillo has had at least 85 fantasy points in all six of his UFC wins and has recorded 109-plus points in four of them. In this fight, Quarantillo should be the better athlete, which should allow him to control the fight’s pace. 

Set your DraftKings fantasy MMA lineups here: UFC $333K Throwdown [$100K to 1st].

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