LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 14: Jared Cannonier poses on the dimensions throughout the UFC Battle Night time weigh-in on the Palace Station Lodge & On line casino on February 14, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photograph by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
On paper, UFC Vegas 102 seemed like your common, run-of-the-mill Apex Battle Night time card, however whereas not immune to a couple duds, the cardboard largely delivered when it got here to motion. Nazim Sadykhov and Edmen Shahbazyan gave us spectacular highlights, and the principle occasion was completely entertaining, taking residence the ‘Fight of the Night’ honours. With that occasion now behind us, it’s time to try what’s subsequent for the cardboard’s massive winners.
Jared Cannonier
It wasn’t with out adversity, however the ‘Killa Gorilla’ confirmed he nonetheless has sufficient left within the tank to fend off fighters of Gregory Rodrigues’ calibre. Cannonier was staring down the barrel of three-fight skid and with him turning 41 subsequent month, this was a must-win if he wished to maintain getting related matchups.
Regardless of the great rebound victory, I extremely doubt the UFC will likely be trying to throw him again into the title image so rapidly. I wouldn’t be shocked in any respect if his subsequent reserving is in the identical vein as this one (i.e., one other youthful, unranked contender). Nevertheless, I’m hoping the promotion tries to squeeze each drop of motion Cannonier nonetheless has in him. And is there a extra enjoyable, explosive matchup for him than Paulo Costa?
Cannonier’s subsequent struggle: Paulo Costa
Youssef Zalal
‘The Moroccan Devil’ did what ‘Robocop’ couldn’t as he defeated the top10 ranked veteran on a dropping streak to enter the rankings. Zalal comfortably gained the primary two rounds and obtained on his bike for the entre third spherical, figuring out Kattar wanted a end. Although he obtained the win, and that’s the most necessary factor for him, the third spherical left a foul style in lots of people’s mouths. For that motive, I doubt he will get rewarded with a matchup that may assist maintain climbing the featherweight ladder. Whereas anticipating writing this text, I anticipated to match Zalal up with Aljamain Sterling subsequent, however after this efficiency, I feel he’ll get tasked with defending his rating towards an unranked opponent, similar to Kattar simply needed to do.
Steve Garcia’s struggle with Edson Barboza subsequent week in Seattle simply fell by way of after the Brazilian pulled out. Why don’t simply swap these fights up? The 2 veterans Kattar and Barboza can struggle one another, whereas Garcia will get to struggle a ranked opponent in any case in Zalal.
Zalal’s subsequent struggle: Steve Garcia
Edmen Shahbazyan
The nonetheless surprisingly younger Shahbazyan obtained a 95-second knockout at UFC Vegas 102 over the kind of opposition he’s anticipated to beat. It was a candy spotlight to get him again within the win column. He has confronted a number of rising pains all through the years, however at nonetheless solely 27 years of age, I consider the right route for the UFC is to maintain reserving him in fights the place he can rack up multiple or two of those KOs in a row.
Regardless of having misplaced 4 straights, Warlley Alves is a fighter who’s at all times sport and brings his ‘kill-or-be-killed’ combating model in each bout he’s in. Precisely the kind of opponent ‘The Golden Boy’ ought to be getting proper now.
Shahbazyan’s subsequent struggle: Warlley Alves
Nazim Sadykhov
Sadykhov was coming off a 15-month layoff after his draw with Viacheslav Borshchev again at UFC 295. He didn’t get the friendliest of matchups in his comeback as followers understand how expert the Bonfim brothers are. It took him a while to seek out the fitting shot, however ‘Black Wolf’ landed a pleasant query mark kick that broken Bonfim’s eye and compelled a health care provider’s stoppage in between rounds.
That is Sadykhov’s second UFC win through physician’s stoppage and after only a 5-minute struggle and a protracted layoff, he ought to be trying to get again within the octagon within the coming months. There have been talks of a struggle evening card in Perth round June or July. It’s an ideal alternative to have him struggle one other light-weight prospect in Tom Nolan
Sadykhov’s subsequent struggle: Tom Nolan
Andre Petroski
Petroski was an over two-to-one betting underdog on this UFC Vegas 102 struggle, however his stellar takedown defence and superior energy helped him squeak out a victory over the adorned grappler Rodolfo Vieira. That is Petroski’s third consecutive win, however he hasn’t scored a end since Could of 2022. That’s the reason regardless of the win streak, I don’t anticipate Petroski to get rewarded with a matchup with the likes of Bo Nickal, who he referred to as out in his post-fight interview. As a substitute, I consider he will likely be tasked with one other robust matchup till he can muster up a win streak that makes him an simple candidate for a rating. Marco Tulio, who has knocked out his final three opponents and hasn’t misplaced since 2018 suits that invoice to a tee.
Petroski’s subsequent struggle: Marco Tulio
