Camilo Targets Herbert With Pressure at UFC Vegas 122

Matheus Camilo is targeting a third consecutive victory against Jai Herbert in the UFC Vegas 122 lightweight co-main event at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas on Saturday, October 10. The Brazilian plans to use forward pressure and powerful striking to challenge the taller English fighter, whose preference for fighting at range could be tested by the venue's smaller cage.

According to MMA Junkie, Camilo enters the matchup with an 11-3 overall record and a 2-1 mark in the UFC. Herbert holds a 14-6-1 record overall and has gone 4-5-1 in the promotion. Both fighters are coming off stoppage victories, with Camilo finishing his latest opponent in the first round in June and Herbert defeating Mandel Nallo by technical knockout in April.

The bout is scheduled to stream on Paramount+, with CBS also listed as a broadcast outlet in the event preview. The fighters were expected to make their cage walks at approximately 9:40 p.m. ET, according to MMA Junkie.

Camilo believes the venue will help him close the distance against Herbert, who stands 6 feet 1 inch tall compared with the Brazilian's 5-foot-10 frame. The UFC Apex cage measures 25 feet in diameter, five feet less than the promotion's standard 30-foot Octagon.

Camilo described the stylistic matchup in an interview with Ag Fight, emphasizing the contrast between Herbert's distance management and his own pressure-based approach.

"I like the fight, it matches up well with my game," Camilo told Ag Fight. "He's a taller guy, but it's a fight that matches up well with my game. He's a striker, so I'm happy.

He likes distance and I like to pressure. Since it's going to be at the Apex, with a small cage, he won't have anywhere to run. He likes a more measured game, but that's where I'm going to get him.

I'm going to make him uncomfortable."

The Brazilian also highlighted his preparation and punching power, saying he intends to pursue a decisive finish rather than rely on the judges. His recent results include victories over Viacheslav Borschev and Nazim Sadykhov after an unsuccessful UFC debut against Gabe Green.

"I'm coming to finish," Camilo said. "I want to show once again who I am. I'm coming for the knockout, I want to knock him out.

I've trained a lot, my hands are made of stone. I can't wait for us to fight. I want to show the whole division that I have hands of stone.

If he makes a mistake, he's going down."

Camilo also expressed surprise at receiving the co-main event position on the UFC Fight Night 290 card. He described the booking as an opportunity to demonstrate his abilities to a wider audience, particularly as a younger fighter receiving a prominent place on the event lineup.

"I was caught by surprise," Camilo said. "They called me for this fight and now they put me in the co-main event. I'm very happy about it.

It was very good news. [...] They said, 'You're in the co-main event.' I was like, 'Seriously?' And they said, 'Seriously.'

Then I was like, 'Wow, that's awesome.' I was very happy. It's another opportunity to show who I am.

I was very happy. It's rare to see this, young fighters getting these opportunities."

Herbert presents a different challenge through his longer reach and established striking game. According to the statistical breakdown published by Action Network, he has a 77-inch reach against Camilo's 69 inches and averages 3.19 significant strikes per minute, compared with the Brazilian's 2.22.

Camilo's strongest statistical advantage is in wrestling and grappling. Action Network lists his takedown average at 4.16 per fight, with 53% takedown accuracy, while Herbert averages 0.42 takedowns and has 21% accuracy. Camilo also recently earned a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt from Andre Pederneiras, strengthening the grappling credentials that could shape his approach.

Herbert, 38, is seeking consecutive UFC victories for the first time in his promotional career after stopping Nallo in April. Camilo, 25, has won twice in succession since his debut loss, setting up a matchup between a rising lightweight prospect and a more experienced opponent looking to build momentum.