LAS VEGAS — England's Jai Herbert, the 38-year-old "Black Country Banger," defeated Brazil's Matheus Camilo by unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) in the lightweight co-main event of UFC Vegas 122 on Saturday in Las Vegas. The verdict capped fifteen highly competitive minutes and secured back-to-back victories for Herbert.
Herbert pressed forward early behind a sharp jab, pinning Camilo to the fence before snapping his head back with a straight right. Camilo answered with a low leg kick and a big overhand right that clipped the top of Herbert's head, adding a takedown in the final minute to make the opener difficult to score. The momentum shifted in the second as Camilo moved forward and secured a bodylock takedown midway through the round, taking Herbert's back and hunting a submission before Herbert scrambled, reversed position and finished the frame on top landing ground and pound from full guard.
Between rounds Camilo's coach Erik Nicksick told his fighter the bout was 1-1, reflecting how tight the contest remained through two rounds. Both men met in the centre to open the third, Camilo landing a significant left hook upstairs before Herbert replied with a solid kick to the body while walking his opponent down as Camilo began to wear. Camilo forced the fight into the clinch and against the cage, but after the pair separated with a minute and a half remaining Herbert defended a takedown to end up on top in full guard, posturing up with ground and pound before allowing Camilo back to his feet and stuffing a final takedown attempt.
All three judges scored the bout 29-28 for Herbert, who entered off a victory over Mandel Nallo in Canada while Camilo had won two straight after dropping his promotional debut opposite Gabe Green. Herbert said afterwards he wants to stay active and hopes to fight again early in 2027. The lightweight contest served as the co-headliner beneath Brendan Allen meets Christian Leroy Duncan in the main event on the Las Vegas card.