Jared Cannonier vs. Gregory Rodrigues: A Battle of Experience and Fresh Blood
This Saturday, UFC Vegas 102 will see two veteran contenders, Jared Cannonier and Calvin Kattar, face significant challenges. In the main event, Cannonier, currently ranked No. 10 at middleweight in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, will take on Gregory Rodrigues. Cannonier, known as "Tha Killa Gorilla," is less than three years removed from challenging for a UFC title, a peak that makes his recent slump all the more notable. He has lost consecutive fights for just the second time in his career, and a loss to Rodrigues would mark the first time he’s lost three in a row. As Cannonier approaches his 41st birthday next month, the wear and tear of his long career are becoming more apparent. Despite his resilience and ability to go the distance, the age factor is a significant concern. Rodrigues, on the other hand, is a rising star with a strong jiu-jitsu background who has shown a willingness to mix it up on the feet. If Rodrigues can capitalize on Cannonier’s vulnerabilities, he could inject some fresh blood into the middleweight rankings. My pick: Rodrigues by decision.
Calvin Kattar vs. Youssef Zalal: A Test of Resilience and Potential
In the co-main event, Calvin Kattar, ranked No. 13 at featherweight, will face Youssef Zalal. Kattar, who turns 37 in March, is on a career-worst three-fight losing streak. However, a closer look at these losses reveals a mix of bad luck and tough competition. A split decision against Josh Emmett, an injury early in his fight with Arnold Allen, and being outwrestled by Aljamain Sterling—none of these losses are a true reflection of Kattar’s capabilities. Zalal, 3-0 since returning to the UFC last year, has shown significant improvement both physically and mentally. He’s eager to duel on the feet and has a knack for finding submission finishes on the ground. Kattar is a perfect test for Zalal, and vice versa. This fight will reveal a lot about Kattar’s remaining potential and Zalal’s readiness to challenge for a higher ranking. My pick: Zalal, meaning I expect to see two shakeups in the rankings come Tuesday.
Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Dylan Budka: A Mismatch in the Making?
The matchup between Edmen Shahbazyan and Dylan Budka is a bit puzzling. Shahbazyan, known for his striking prowess, has consistently struggled against wrestlers. Despite his ability to be incredibly compelling when standing and striking, his takedown defense remains a significant weakness. Budka, although 0-2 in the UFC, comes from a wrestling background and will likely be aggressive with his takedown attempts. If Shahbazyan has improved his takedown defense, he could dominate Budka on the feet. However, until we see him stay upright for more than a round and a half, it’s hard to have confidence in his ability to overcome this matchup. My pick: Budka.
Ismael Bonfim vs. Nazim Sadykhov: A Lightweight Showdown
Ismael Bonfim and Nazim Sadykhov will clash in a lightweight bout that promises to be exciting. Bonfim is known for his speed and aggression, making him a favorite in the upper mid-tier of the division. He’s light on his feet, cuts off angles effectively, and finds openings for counters even as he walks forward. Sadykhov, a hard-hitting southpaw with wrestling skills, will likely mix in takedowns if the timing is right. He also has a powerful left hand ready to strike if Bonfim lingers in the pocket. Both fighters are fun to watch and could steal Fight of the Night if this goes the distance. However, I’m predicting an upset finish with Sadykhov putting Bonfim down with strikes in Round 2. My pick: Sadykhov.
Rodolfo Vieira vs. Andre Petroski: Grapplers Go to War
The middleweight bout between Rodolfo Vieira and Andre Petroski is a match made in heaven—or hell, depending on your perspective. Vieira, a submission grappling expert, and Petroski, a pressure wrestler, are both known for their ground game. Ideally, this fight will be contested primarily on the mat, featuring fun scrambles, tricky submission setups, and daring escapes. However, there’s also a chance that the two grapplers could cancel each other out and resort to half-baked cardio kickboxing. Vieira occasionally throws wild haymakers, while Petroski isn’t totally lost on the feet and could out-strike Vieira with basic fundamentals. This could be one of the ugliest fights of 2025, but it’s sure to be entertaining. My pick: Petroski.
Connor Matthews vs. Jose Delgado: A Clash of Styles
The featherweight bout between Connor Matthews and Jose Delgado is a fascinating clash of styles. Delgado is known for overwhelming his opponents with volume and combinations, using his long legs to keep opponents at bay. Matthews, on the other hand, is likely to take a methodical approach, relying on his wrestling to wear Delgado down in the early rounds. Delgado’s striking is relentless, and Matthews will need to have his defense on point to withstand the storm. While Matthews will have his moments with his wrestling, it’s hard to see him keeping Delgado down for the entire fight. Delgado’s striking prowess will likely carry him to a decision. My pick: Delgado.
Preliminaries: A Mix of Promising Fights
The preliminary card of UFC Vegas 102 is packed with promising fights. Angela Hill is expected to defeat Ketlen Souza, Rafael Estevam should overcome Jesus Aguilar, and Khaos Williams is likely to best Gabriel Bonfim. In the lightweight division, Elijah Smith is favored to win against Vince Morales, and Valter Walker is expected to defeat Don’Tale Mayes. Finally, in the women’s flyweight division, Jacqueline Cavalcanti is predicted to outclass Julia Avila. These fights, while not as high-profile as the main card, are sure to provide plenty of excitement and potential upsets.
