On October 10, the UFC returns to the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Melissa Gatto will return for the second time in 2026. The Brazilian fighter will take on Ernesta Kareckaite in the Octagon.
Multiple sources have confirmed the booking to Heavy.com. Both women are looking to get back on track after losing their most recent fight.
In Need Of A Win
Melissa Gatto signed with the UFC in 2019, but due to injuries, travel restrictions, and a suspension, she had to wait till 2021 before making her official UFC debut. The undefeated Brazilian impressed in her debut year, defeating both Victoria Leonardo and Sijara Eubanks via TKO. In 2022, Gatto got a step up in competition, facing Tracy Cortez. Cortez was too strong and gave Gatto the first loss of his professional career.
A year after the loss, she also dropped a split decision against Ariane Da Silva. Gatto decided to move up to bantamweight. A good move it seemed, after stopping Tamires Vidal in the third round via TKO. But in her most recent fight, Gatto went back to flyweight and dropped a majority decision against Dione Barbosa. Barbosa was deducted one point in the fight due to landing an illegal kick. Gatto now takes on Ernesta Kareckaite at flyweight.
An Underrated Force At Flyweight
Kareckaite might be one of the most underrated women in the flyweight division. The Lithuanian fighter got into the UFC in 2023 after beating Carli Judice during the Contender Series. That fight is widely regarded as one of the best fights in Contender Series history. Both women got signed. Kareckaite made her debut in the UFC in 2024. ‘Heavy-Handed’ dropped a unanimous decision against Dione Barbosa. Last year, Kareckaite only fought once.
Via split decision, she beat Nicolle Caliari in a competitive fight, earning her first UFC win. Earlier this year, the Lithuanian fighter returned to the Octagon in Mexico to take on newcomer and undefeated Regina Tarin. In a competitive fight, Kareckaite lost via unanimous decision. With one win and two losses in the UFC, she needs a win against Melissa Gatto to make sure she will remain in the promotion.
UFC Vegas 122 – October 10
- Dariya Zhelezniakova vs. Alice Pereira
- Malcolm Wellmaker vs. Otari Tanzilovi
- Matheus Camilo vs. Jai Herbert
- Ernesta Kareckaite vs. Melissa Gatto
- Francisco Prado vs. Artur Minev
- Felipe Franco vs. Alexander Poppeck
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This article was originally published on HEAVY
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