LAS VEGAS – UFC returns to UFC Apex with a thrilling light heavyweight contenders’ bout that will see No. 6-ranked Thiago Santos take on No. 10 Jamahal Hill. The co-main event pits No. 6-ranked welterweight contender Vicente Luque against No. 13-ranked welterweight contender Geoff Neal in a pivotal matchup.
Also on the card, the thrilling conclusion of “The Ultimate Fighter 30: Team Peña vs. Team Nunes,” as Mohammed Usman and Zac Pauga battle at heavyweight and Brogan Walker and Juliana Miller face off at flyweight with UFC contracts on the line.
“UFC on ESPN 40: Santos vs. Hill” will take place Saturday, August 6 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The entire card will be available on ESPN and ESPN Deportes, and via simulcast on ESPN+, with the main card starting at 10 p.m. ET and the prelims at 7 p.m. ET.
Dangerous striker Santos (22-10 MMA, 14-9 UFC) returns to the octagon to take on a new rising contender. A knockout artist and former title challenger with 15 KOs, Santos holds impressive victories over former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz, Anthony Smith and Jack Hermansson. Santos is now aiming to deliver another signature finish against Hill and make his way back into the title picture.
Rising star Hill (10-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) looks to continue his climb up the 205-pound ladder with another explosive knockout win. The Dana White’s Contender Series signee has delivered stellar finishes against Johnny Walker, Jimmy Crute and Ovince Saint Preux in his short time spent in the octagon. Ready to make a statement against a true veteran of the sport, Hill is determined to take Santos’ spot in the rankings and prove that a new title challenger is on the horizon.
The always exciting Luque (21-8-1 MMA, 14-4 UFC) re-enters the octagon to take on respected contender Neal. Holding a 90 percent finish rate, the grappling specialist with knockout power has delivered highlight reel wins over former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, Michael Chiesa, Randy Brown and Bryan Barberena. Now, Luque will be looking to defend his spot in the rankings by putting on a show-stealing performance against Neal.
No. 13-ranked welterweight Neal (14-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC) wants to deliver a statement against one of the division’s most dangerous fighters. Ever since being signed from Dana White’s Contender Series, Neal has established himself among the top talents at 170 pounds with wins over Belal Muhammad, Mike Perry and Santiago Ponzinibbio. Neal is now setting out to stop Luque and add another impressive name to his resume.
“The Ultimate Fighter 30” heavyweight finalist Usman (8-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) looks to join his brother, UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, on the roster with a statement victory. Pauga (6-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) aims to keep his undefeated record intact by becoming the first man to knockout Usman.
Flyweight finalist Walker (8-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) intends to rely on her experience and well-rounded skills to secure the biggest victory of her career. Miller (3-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) seeks to continue defying the odds by adding another submission to her record.
Additional bouts on the card include:
- No. 14-ranked UFC heavyweight contender Augusto Sakai (15-4-1 MMA, 4-3 UFC) clashes with Serghei Spivac (14-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC)
- Sam Alvey (33-17-1 MMA, 10-12-1 UFC) takes on Michal Oleksiejczuk (16-5 MMA, 4-3 UFC) in a middleweight bout
- Ariane Lipski (14-7 MMA, 3-4 UFC) battles Priscila Cachoeira (11-4 MMA, 3-4 UFC) in a flyweight battle
- Bryan Battle (7-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) meets Takashi Sato (16-5 MMA, 1-3 UFC) at welterweight
- Terrance McKinney (12-4 MMA, 2-1 UFC) clashes with Erick Gonzalez (14-6 MMA, 0-1 UFC) in an explosive matchup at lightweight
- Nate Landwehr (15-4 MMA, 2-2 UFC) collides with Zubaira Tukhugov (20-5-1 MMA, 5-2-1 UFC) in an exciting featherweight bout
- Jason Witt (19-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) squares off against Dana White’s Contender Series signee Josh Quinlan (5-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) at welterweight
- Cory McKenna (6-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) battles Miranda Granger (7-2) in an exciting strawweight bout
- Marya Bueno Silva (8-2-1 MMA, 3-2-1 UFC) meets Stephanie Egger (7-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) in a clash at bantamweight
