LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 15: (L-R) Gregory Rodrigues of Brazil punches Jared Cannonier in a middleweight battle throughout the UFC Struggle Night time occasion at UFC APEX on February 15, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photograph by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Saturday’s UFC Vegas 102 important occasion went down precisely as marketed.
Struggle followers had a good suggestion of what they have been in retailer for as middleweights Jared Cannonier and Gregory Rodrigues collided atop the Struggle Night time occasion on the UFC Apex, they usually obtained simply that. A tough-hitting, back-and-forth thriller that noticed each males do injury. But whereas many had picked “Robocop” Rodrigues to leap into the highest 15 of the burden class, Saturday was not his night time.
As a substitute, it was Cannonier, often known as the “Killa Gorilla,” proving his killer instincts had not waned. Enduring a tricky first spherical that noticed Rodrigues come out of the gate scorching, Cannonier slowly took over the battle, resulting in a knockdown within the third spherical that noticed the 40-year outdated former title challenger almost put his opponent away. Miracuously, Rodrigues survived, saved by the bell— although not for lengthy. Lower than 30 seconds into the fourth spherical, Cannonier had the TKO end, arrange by some good work to the physique.
The back-and-forth nature of the bout earned it Struggle of the Night time honors, which got here as little shock to followers and media shops in attendance, together with Cageside Press. Efficiency of the Night time bonuses, in the meantime, went to Edmen Shahbazyan and Gabriel Bonfim. Shahbazyan, one other middleweight expertise, put away Dennis Budka with a crisp proper hand on the primary card, whereas Brazil’s Bonfim, whose brother suffered defeat later within the night time, choked out Khaos Williams in a welterweight prelim.
All 4 bonus winners at UFC Vegas 102 pocket $50,000 for his or her efforts, along with present/win cash and outfitting pay.
