Jai Herbert Edges Matheus Camilo at UFC Vegas 122

Jai Herbert turned back Matheus Camilo by unanimous decision in the UFC Vegas 122 co-main event, grinding out a 29-28, 29-28, 29-28 verdict in a lightweight scrap that swung on small margins across three rounds.

The 38-year-old Herbert, known as "The Black Country Banger," used his jab and timing to offset Camilo's power and grappling exchanges in a fight that genuinely could have gone either way. Camilo's own corner, led by Erik Nicksick, had the fight even at 1-1 heading into the third, and that read matched most ringside impressions of a bout with no easy round to score.

How The Fight Was Won

Jai Herbert's jab and late ground and pound made the difference against Matheus Camilo over 15 close minutes. Herbert pressed forward early behind his jab and hurt Camilo with a right straight in round one, only for Camilo to answer with a takedown and a strong close to steal the frame back. Round two belonged mostly to Camilo, who scored a bodylock takedown and nearly worked to the back before Herbert scrambled free and unloaded ground and pound from guard to even things up. The third was the deciding stretch. Camilo landed a left hook early, but Herbert walked him down as he appeared to fade, stuffed a late takedown attempt and postured up with heavy shots from top position before the final horn.

For Herbert, it's a second straight win following his victory over Mandel Nallo, and he said afterward he wants to stay busy with another outing early in 2027. For Camilo, it snaps a two-fight winning streak that had followed a promotional debut loss to Gabe Green, and it leaves the Brazilian looking for answers after letting a winnable fight slip in the championship rounds.

What It Means For Bettors

This was the kind of back-and-forth, swing-round fight that reminds bettors why live betting and round-by-round markets exist in combat sports. Anyone leaning on volume or grappling control stats alone would have had Camilo well ahead through two rounds, but Herbert's ability to turn adversity into offense, scrambling off his back and unloading ground and pound, was the separator that doesn't always show up in a pre-fight line. At 38, Herbert remains a live, durable veteran who should continue to be live in close lightweight matchups even as the betting markets tend to discount fighters his age. Camilo's stock takes a hit here after dropping a razor-thin decision, and expect him to open as a live underdog or short favorite depending on his next opponent, with his grappling-heavy approach still a legitimate path to wins against lesser wrestlers in the division.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Jai Herbert vs Matheus Camilo fight at UFC Vegas 122?

Jai Herbert won by unanimous decision over Matheus Camilo in the UFC Vegas 122 co-main event, with all three judges scoring it 29-28.

What weight class was the Herbert vs Camilo co-main event?

The Jai Herbert vs Matheus Camilo co-headliner at UFC Vegas 122 was contested at lightweight.

What's next for Jai Herbert after beating Matheus Camilo?

Jai Herbert said after his win over Matheus Camilo that he wants to stay active and is hoping to fight again early in 2027.