Sports

UFC Vegas 102: Cannonier vs. Rodrigues Set to Ignite the Octagon

Garrett Kerman Sports Editor

Published15 Jan 2025

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The UFC has officially announced the full fight card for UFC Vegas 102, scheduled to take place on February 15, 2025, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The event promises to deliver an explosive night of action, headlined by a middleweight clash between Jared Cannonier and Gregory Rodrigues.

🚨UFC VEGAS 102 MAIN EVENT🚨

🔥Jared Cannonier will take on Gregory Rodrigues at #UFCVegas102 on February 15th.

5 rounds. Middleweight. Main event.
[first rep. @AlexBehunin] pic.twitter.com/WKkVUS5eDM

— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) December 11, 2024

Main Event Showdown: Cannonier Seeks Redemption

In the spotlight, former title challenger Jared “The Killa Gorilla” Cannonier (17-8) will face off against the surging Gregory “Robocop” Rodrigues (16-5) in a five-round middleweight bout. Cannonier, currently ranked No. 8 in the division, is looking to bounce back from a challenging 2024 that saw him suffer consecutive losses to Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho.

CAIO BORRALHO DROPS JARED CANNONIER LATE IN THE FIFTH!!#UFC #MMA

pic.twitter.com/CY00kzTDKU

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 25, 2024

The 39-year-old veteran brings a wealth of experience to the Octagon, having faced some of the division’s elite throughout his career. Cannonier’s power-punching style and improved grappling make him a constant threat, as evidenced by his victories over former champions and top contenders like Anderson Silva, Sean Strickland, and Marvin Vettori.

On the other side of the cage, Gregory Rodrigues enters the bout riding a wave of momentum. The Brazilian fighter has been on an impressive run, securing three consecutive victories in 2024, including a stoppage win over Brad Tavares and a decision victory against Christian Leroy Duncan at UFC 304. Known for his explosive striking and well-rounded skill set, Rodrigues has finished half of his UFC wins by knockout, making this main event a potential firefight.

Gregory ‘Robocop’ Rodrigues stuns and stops Brad Tavares 💥 #UFCVegas86

(via @espnmma) pic.twitter.com/y3srekgg0X

— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) February 11, 2024

Stacked Undercard Promises Thrills

While the main event is generating significant buzz, the UFC has ensured that the entire card is packed with compelling matchups. In the co-main event, No. 10 ranked featherweight Calvin Kattar (23-8) will take on the rising Youssef Zalal (16-5-1). Kattar, looking to snap a three-fight losing streak, faces a tough test in Zalal, who enters the bout on a six-fight win streak.

Other notable bouts on the main card include a middleweight clash between Edmen Shahbazyan and Dylan Budka, as well as a women’s strawweight fight featuring Angela Hill against Ketlen Souza. The preliminary card is equally stacked, featuring promising matchups across various weight classes.

One intriguing storyline to follow is the late replacement of Andre Petroski for Jacob Malkoun in a middleweight bout against Rodolfo Vieira. Malkoun was forced to withdraw due to an undisclosed injury, adding an element of unpredictability to the fight.

As the event draws near, fight fans can look forward to a night of high-stakes action. For Jared Cannonier, this main event represents a crucial opportunity to reassert himself in the middleweight title picture. Gregory Rodrigues, on the other hand, sees this as his chance to break into the division’s elite and potentially secure a top-10 ranking.

Check out the full UFC Vegas 102 fight card below.