The UFC APEX is back to host another fight night as their is plenty of action to look forward to this Saturday. The #7 Middleweight contender, Jared Cannonier, tries to maintain his ranking as he goes up against Gregory Rodrigues in the headliner. Here is everything you need to know before UFC Vegas 102 initiates.
Cannonier has the worst year of his career when he suffered to losses in 2024, the first was a fourth-round TKO defeat to Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Louisville, while the other was an unanimous decision loss to Caio Borralho at UFC Vegas 96.
Killa Gorilla was previously on a two-fight winning streak where he earned decision wins over Marvin Vettori and Sean Strickland, both occurring at the APEX.
The Texan has most recently been taking his fights to a decision, however he usually plans for a stoppage as he holds 10 KO/TKO victories and two submission wins.
The 40-year-old will be in desperate need of a triumph to not only stop his two-fight losing streak but keep his #7 contender's spot in the Middleweight rankings.
Rodrigues had the pleasure of celebrating two victories in 2024, the first happened at the APEX where he secured a third-round TKO win over Brad Tavares at UFC Vegas 86, and an unanimous decision win in enemy territory against Christian Leroy Duncan at UFC 304.
Robocop has only lost twice in the UFC and out of seven wins in the organisation, five of those have been stopped by KO/TKO.
The Brazilian rarely goes the distance in his battles with the majority of his victories ending by knockout as he has earned 10 in his career, while also claiming three submission wins.
Rodrigues has the greatest opportunity in the biggest fight of his life as a win will not only give him a spot in the 185-pound rankings, it will put him in the top 10 which could then result in being a couple of fights away from being in possible title contention.
other fights you should look out for
Angela Hill vs Ketlen Souza - Hill last fought at UFC Vegas 96 where her two-fight winning streak came to an end after losing by unanimous decision against Tabatha Ricci. Overkill has the current record for the most fights and wins in UFC Women's Strawweight history as she's arguably considered as the most experience in the division. The #13 contender will be aiming to maintain her ranking and get back in the win column.
Souza is currently on a two-fight winning streak after winning her last bout by first-round submission against Yazmin Jauregui at UFC 306. Esquentadinha has stopped 10 of her 15 conquered opponents with eight of those ending by KO/TKO. The Manaus-born fighter will be trying to enter the Strawweight rankings and continue her rise to the top.
Ismael Bonfim vs Nazim Sadykhov - Bonfim last fought at UFC 301 where he defeated Vinc Pichel by unanimous decision at UFC 301. Maretta has won the majority of his battles by a stoppage with nine ending by KO/TKO and four by submission. The Brazilian Lightweight tries to begin a winning streak after losing his last one to the current #14 contender, Benoit Saint-Denis.
Sadykhov has not fought since November 2023 when he went the distance with Viacheslav Borshchev at UFC 295 as the bout ended in a majority draw. Black Wolf has only won one fight the decision out of the nine victories he has, earning six of them by KO/TKO. The Azerbaijan fighter has not lost since his MMA debut as he aims to be victorious again for first time since July 2023.
Calvin Kattar vs Youssef Zalal - Kattar has been on an unfortunate run, losing his last three fights with his most recent one ending by unanimous decision against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 300. The Massachusetts-born fighter likes to keep his battles on the feet as 11 of his 23 wins have ended by KO/TKO. The #10 Featherweight contender is slowly falling down the rankings and needs a win to claim redemption in what may be a vital fight for his career.
Zalal is currently on a seven-fight unbeaten streak with his last bout ending by second-round submission against Jack Shore at UFC Edmonton. The Moroccan Devil is a danger on the ground as he's picked up nine submission wins out of 16 MMA triumphs. Zalal has stopped his last six opponents and another one to add to the list will not only place him in the Featherweight rankings, but will make him a big prospect in the division.
Who takes the win between the Killa Gorilla and RoboCop? Which fight are you looking forward to the most?
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