Daniel Vithlani Releases UFC Fight Night Picks for August 8 Card

Q: Could Darren Elkins' emotional retirement fight tonight end in a devastating upset against rising prospect Yadier del Valle?

Yes. An Elkins upset is possible, but the available evidence strongly points the other way: Yadier del Valle is widely expected to win, and possibly do it early. The betting market reflects that gap. Del Valle has been listed around a massive favorite, with Elkins as a steep underdog, and several previews tied to SportsLine’s Daniel Vithlani lean not just to a del Valle victory but to a finish, including submission angles. Other analysts have also framed the matchup as a difficult, even punishing sendoff for Elkins in his announced retirement bout. The reasons are consistent across the coverage. Elkins is 42, coming off a first-round TKO loss to Julian Erosa, and has openly said age and accumulated wear are part of why this is his “last dance.” Del Valle, by contrast, is the younger, more explosive prospect at 10-1, with two quick UFC submission finishes already on his résumé. His athleticism, speed and finishing upside are the core arguments behind the upset risk to Elkins’ farewell. Still, Elkins is not without a path. He remains one of the UFC’s grittiest veterans, known for relentless pressure, durability and turning ugly scrambles into opportunities. If he can drag del Valle into a chaotic, high-volume fight and test the younger man’s composure and gas tank, he could make it uncomfortable late. But based on the expert picks, odds and recent form, a damaging upset to Elkins’ emotional retirement night is not just possible — it is the most likely outcome.

Q: Will the claustrophobic 25-foot Apex cage guarantee a brutal finish in tonight's highly anticipated striker-versus-wrestler main event?

No. The 25-foot Apex cage may raise the chances of a finish, but it does not guarantee one in Gamrot vs. Salkilld. The evidence points both ways. Betting analysis around the card repeatedly notes that the smaller Apex cage tends to force more engagements, more fence wrestling, and fewer escape routes for rangy strikers. One widely cited handicap says small-cage UFC fights have produced a noticeably higher finish rate than standard 30-foot Octagon bouts. That matters here because Salkilld is the more explosive finisher and Gamrot’s pressure wrestling is built to trap opponents near the fence. But the matchup itself is what keeps a stoppage from being certain. Gamrot is an experienced five-round fighter with elite chain wrestling, top control and durability, and several previews — including a SportsLine lean from Daniel Vithlani — favor him by decision precisely because he can turn striking danger into long stretches of grappling control. Other analysts see Salkilld as a live knockout threat if he keeps the fight standing, especially given his recent first-round finishing run and size-reach edge. So the small cage is a real factor, not a verdict. It likely increases the pressure on both men and makes an inside-the-distance result more plausible than it would be in a larger arena cage. Still, Gamrot’s style also creates a credible path to a grinding five-round decision. The cage boosts brutality potential; it does not make a brutal finish inevitable.

3 articles · Updated · SportsLine · Aug 7

Daniel Vithlani has published picks, predictions and best bets for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night card headlined by Gamrot vs. Salkilld.
The selections cover the August 8 showcase and were released through SportsLine ahead of the event.
Paramount+ is carrying the card, with the preview aimed at bettors and fans tracking fight-night odds.