Melissa Gatto vs Ernesta Kareckaite Targeted for UFC Vegas 122

A strawweight matchup between Melissa Gatto and Ernesta Kareckaite is being targeted for UFC Vegas 122 on October 10th, though the bout has not yet been officially announced and should be treated as a report still in progress.

Gatto, a 30-year-old Brazilian out of MSP, carries a professional record of 9-3-2 into the potential contest. Fighting out of an orthodox stance with a reach of 69 inches, she has shown a well-rounded game inside the octagon, averaging 3.47 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy while also mixing in 1.77 takedown attempts per 15 minutes. That combination of striking and grappling threat makes her a difficult puzzle for any opponent to solve.

Kareckaite, nicknamed "Heavy-Handed," is a 28-year-old Lithuanian representing Fighters Land with a record of 6-2-1. At five-foot-nine with a 71-inch reach, she holds a notable size advantage in the division. Her output is striking — she lands 7.28 significant strikes per minute, one of the higher volume marks in the strawweight ranks — though her accuracy sits at 42 percent. She has not recorded a submission attempt in her tracked UFC appearances, suggesting a clear preference for keeping the fight standing.

Why it matters

• The report, if finalized, adds a notable strawweight contest to the UFC Vegas 122 card scheduled for October 10th.
• Gatto's grappling-oriented approach figures to clash sharply with Kareckaite's high-volume striking style, creating a clear striker-versus-wrestler dynamic.
• Both fighters are looking to build momentum in a strawweight division where roster positioning remains competitive, and a win for either would carry meaningful implications for their respective standings.