UFC Vegas 102 results: Sooo … About last night | Cannonier vs. Robo Cop

Final evening (Sat., Feb. 15, 2025), Final Preventing Championship (UFC) returned house to UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada for UFC Vegas 102. After a pair of worldwide occasions, this was an ordinary Apex affair. A “Combat Night time” occasion headlined by Middleweights and stuffed with Contenders Sequence merchandise has turn into the promotion’s bread and butter, and this occasion was no completely different. Nonetheless, there was some enjoyable scraps and funky finishes, which is basically all we will ask for on an evening resembling this.

Let’s have a look again over at UFC Vegas 102’s greatest performances and strategies:

Cannonier Outlasts Robo Cop

It needs to be stated once more: Jared Cannonier is preventing outrageously effectively for 40 years of age.

He spent a lot of the first 5 minutes weathering the storm. Gregory Rodrigues got here out with the intention of destroying “Killa Gorilla” instantly, swinging onerous punches together, ending combos with knees and kicks. He floored Cannonier twice and surprised him a number of extra occasions, however all of the whereas, Cannonier stored his wits about him. He wrestled his option to security a pair occasions, shopping for time and losing Rodrigues gasoline tank.

By the second, “Robo Cop” was drained and wanted a spherical to recuperate. Cannonier properly established his jab and landed loads of low kicks, bloodying up Rodrigues and slowing him down additional. The Brazilian was able to scrap once more by spherical three, however the injury was accomplished. His punches have been not flooring Cannonier, who may now trade with Rodrigues and land his personal heavy pictures.

It was an incredible, aggressive spherical till Cannonier landed a fight-changing elbow within the closing seconds. Rodrigues crumbled, and the spherical ending solely served to delay the inevitable by about 75 seconds. As quickly as he was allowed, Cannonier swarmed Rodrigues and compelled the end.

Gritty and highly effective, Cannonier nonetheless has loads left to provide at 185 kilos.

Zalal Dances By Kattar

For 10 minutes, Youssef Zalal was untouchable.

“The Moroccan Satan” actually utilized his footwork and feints superbly to neutralize Kattar’s offense. He established the jab first and prevented his opponent from doing the identical, which means Kattar spent a lot of the preventing swinging at air or holding again as a result of he knew he was going to overlook. Zalal landed numerous pictures within the time, reducing up Kattar’s face and constructing a significant lead.

Credit score to Kattar, he tried to storm again within the third. As Zalal slowed only a contact, Kattar prolonged his combos and at last started to land punches. It wasn’t too dramatic and it didn’t earn him again the win, however a minimum of Kattar managed to seek out some success earlier than the ultimate bell.

Golden Boy Rebounds

Edmen Shahbazyan smoked Dylan Budka in about 90 seconds.

Let’s be clear: that’s precisely what ought to have occurred. Shahbazyan is manner too proficient to be within the cage with a virtually .500 fighter, and he proved as a lot. Shahbazyan has seen greater than his justifiable share of profession ups and downs, however this was an enormous step again in competitors.

“Golden Boy” did his job with a heavy counter proper hand.

It’s additionally worth-noting that Shahbazyan appeared in higher bodily form than standard right here, each leaner and extra muscular. This win doesn’t show a lot, however maybe issues are lastly clicking into place for the previous bluechip prospect? He’s nonetheless younger sufficient to go on a run, so hope is alive even after fairly a number of unhealthy losses.

Perhaps — simply perhaps — that is the flip of a web page, the beginning of a brand new and optimistic streak.

A Vicious Debut

Jose Miguel Delgado’s UFC debut didn’t final lengthy, however he made a powerful first impression in opposition to Connor Matthews. The Contenders Sequence product entered the struggle with a 100% end charge, and his aggressive and exact putting made it clear how he’s constructed up that file.

Matthews scored a short second of management together with his wrestling, however Delgado didn’t have any hassle escaping again to his ft. As quickly as he opened up, his offensive skills rapidly turned obvious. From both stance, he was instantly lining up large connections, culminating in a heavy 1-2 down the center that floored Matthews. His killer intuition was on show too, as Delgado jumped his wounded opponent with correct, highly effective floor strikes to safe the end.

The 26 12 months outdated from Arizona is certainly one to look at shifting ahead.

Extra Ideas

Nazim Sadykhov defeats Ismael Bonfim by way of first-round physician stoppage: This was an incredible struggle that ended too early. Bonfim began quick, dinging Sadykhov with fast punches and controlling the tempo. Sadykhov struck again late within the first with a slick query mark excessive kick that actually damage Bonfim, probably breaking his orbital. The Brazilian by no means fell and made it again to his nook, nonetheless, and there was some confusion between rounds about whether or not or not he may see. Bonfim actually appeared to need to hold going, however the bout was known as off anyway.

Gabriel Bonfim defeats Khaos Williams by way of second-round d’arce choke (highlights): Bonfim actually outclassed his opponent right here. Williams is understood for his aggression and punching energy, however neither have been significantly helpful when he hit a complete lot of air. Bonfim put collectively each aspect of his recreation to regulate distance and hold Williams again. He stranded him at distance with sharp jabs, heavy calf kicks, and even belly-poking entrance kicks, making certain Williams’ large swings by no means reached him. When Williams acquired over-aggressive, Bonfim would change ranges with a shot and drag him to the ground, the place the Brazilian was a vastly superior grappler. The top sequence was a factor of magnificence, as Bonfim regularly tightened and cranked on the choke to attain a buzzer-beater strangle and depart Williams out chilly! Winner of 4 of his final 5, the 27 12 months outdated may nonetheless develop right into a severe contender within the years to return.

Valter Walker defeats Don’Story Mayes by way of first-round heel hook (highlights): I can not determine whether or not to snort or cry. Mayes — SOMEHOW — entered this bout as a ranked Heavyweight, which means Walter had a chance to interrupt into the Prime 15 in simply his third UFC struggle regardless of splitting his first two bouts. Laughably, Walker was simply in a position to floor Mayes, drop down on a heel hook, and safe an immediate tapout in roughly a minute. I don’t know if Mayes has horrible knees, no concept the best way to grapple, or each … however he’s doubtless the one fighter in UFC historical past to get tapped out by the heel hook twice by fighters who’re under no circumstances leg lock specialists! Yikes.

For full UFC Vegas 102 outcomes and play-by-play, click on right here.