With UFC 312 now behind us, attention shifts to the Apex in Las Vegas this Saturday, where Brazilian powerhouse Gregory "Robocop" Rodrigues headlines against Jared "Killa Gorilla" Cannonier. Cannonier is set to equal Sean Strickland’s record for most main event appearances at the UFC’s warehouse venue, with five.
Let’s break down the action-packed main card at UFC Vegas 102 this Saturday:
Main Event: Gregory Rodrigues vs. Jared Cannonier (Middleweight)
Gregory Rodrigues (16-5 MMA, 7-2 UFC) has a golden opportunity to break into the top 15 of the UFC middleweight rankings if he can overcome the No. 7-ranked Jared Cannonier (17-8 MMA, 10-8 UFC) this weekend.
Rodrigues, the former LFA champion, has impressed since his UFC debut in 2022, tying Roman Kopylov for the most knockouts in the 185 lb division during that span. Known for his aggressive style and knockout power, the 32-year-old has been in some thrilling battles, including his comeback victory over Chidi Njokuani, despite suffering one of the worst cuts in UFC history.
On the other hand, Cannonier is coming off a rough stretch, having lost to Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho in 2024, dropping out of the top 5. Cannonier is one of only two fighters in UFC history to knock out opponents across three different weight classes (heavyweight, light heavyweight, and middleweight), the other being Conor McGregor.
Co-Main Event: Calvin Kattar vs. Youssef Zalal (Featherweight)
Youssef Zalal (16-5-1 MMA, 6-3-1 UFC) has seen his UFC career go through ups and downs. After starting strong in 2020 with three wins, "The Moroccan Devil" struggled, losing three fights and drawing one before being released. However, a successful regional run, including stints in boxing and kickboxing, earned him a UFC re-signing, and he’s been on fire in 2024, winning all three of his bouts by submission.
Calvin Kattar (23-8 MMA, 7-6 UFC) is looking to rebound after three consecutive losses, with his last win dating back over three years against Giga Chikadze. Kattar’s most recent outing saw him lose a unanimous decision to Aljamain Sterling at UFC 300 in April.
Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Dylan Budka (Middleweight)
Both Edmen Shahbazyan (13-5 MMA, 6-5 UFC) and Dylan Budka (7-4 MMA, 0-2 UFC) find themselves at crossroads in their careers. Shahbazyan, once considered a future star at 185 lbs after a 4-0 UFC start, has since lost five of his last seven bouts, with four of those defeats coming via finish.
Budka earned a UFC contract in 2023 with a win on Dana White’s Contender Series but has since struggled, suffering losses to Cesar Almeida and Andre Petroski in 2024. He needs a victory to stay in the UFC.
Ismael Bonfim vs. Nazim Sadykhov (Lightweight)
This bout has the potential to be a "Fight of the Night" candidate. Ismael Bonfim (20-4 MMA, 2-1 UFC) made an explosive UFC debut with a flying knee knockout of Terrance McKinney at UFC 283 but was submitted by Benoit Saint-Denis in his next fight. He bounced back in May with a dominant decision win over Vinc Pichel.
Nazim Sadykhov (9-1-1 MMA, 2-0-1 UFC) also has a knockout over McKinney and fought to a majority draw against Viacheslav Borshchev at Madison Square Garden in November, showcasing his potential at lightweight.
Rodolfo Viera vs. Andre Petroski (Middleweight)
Rodolfo Vieira (10-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) is one of the most accomplished Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners in UFC history, with all of his victories coming by finish. His five submission wins inside the Octagon are tied for third-most in UFC middleweight history.
Andre Petroski (12-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC), who also brings a solid grappling background, has been making waves in the UFC. He has experience competing on the pro grappling circuit and has shown his skills in MMA against opponents like Eryk Anders and Ovince St. Preux.
Jose Delgado vs. Connor Matthews (Featherweight)
The main card kicks off with two Dana White’s Contender Series alumni. Jose Delgado (8-1 MMA) makes his UFC debut against Connor Matthews (7-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC), who is looking to recover after a knockout loss to Dennis Buzukja in his first UFC fight last March.
