UFC Vegas 102 Preview
The UFC is heading back to the Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, February 15th for UFC Vegas 102. The main event will be in the middleweight division between former title challenger #7 Jared Cannonier and Gregory Rodrigues.
Cannonier is trying to rebound from two straight losses having most recently lost a unanimous decision to Caio Borralho in August. He is 2-2 since challenging for the title at UFC 276 in 2022. The 40-year-old answered questions about being a gatekeeper of the middleweight division.
“I think he’s pretty much earned what he’s done,” Cannonier said. “I guess you can consider me the sacrificial lamb in that regard, right? This is the name of the game: we fight each other. I try to separate the emotional aspect from what we’re doing here.
“This is a business. We’re doing business. So that’s just it. Plus, my last two fights were of the same essence, if you will. … Same situation again.”
Rodrigues has been presented with a golden opportunity, but Cannonier is all business. “I don’t know, that onus will be put on the guys who are facing off against the contenders, i.e. myself,” Cannonier said. “I’m losing these fights against the up and comers and opening the door for them. I don’t want to say it, but it’s not that I’ve found myself in a gatekeeper sort of position, but it kind of smells like it if you’re on the outside, know what I mean?
“I’m just analyzing it for you. You’re asking the question; I’m doing some analysis on it. This isn’t how I feel. I don’t really consider all this sh*t when I’m thinking about what I’m doing on a daily basis or when I’m matching up with these guys. I’m just getting prepared to go to war with another big up and comer.”
While Cannonier has been at the top of the rankings for some time now, he understands his position in the division. “I do appreciate them giving me another main event. I’m aware of who Gregory Rodrigues is, and it’s a tough challenge, Cannonier said.
“I’m appreciative of that, that I have another challenge to overcome. That’s what’s expected in this organization. I’m in the position that I find myself in because I didn’t win those last two fights.”
Cannonier has key wins over Anderson Silva, Jack Hermansson, Kelvin Gastelum, Derek Brunson, Sean Strickland and Marvin Vettori. With a win on Saturday he can still remain a main event fighter in the middleweight division.
Rodrigues has won three straight fights and most recently defeated Christian Leroy Duncan by unanimous decision at UFC 304 in July. The Brazilian is 8-2 in his last 10 fights but will be facing the toughest challenge of his career on Saturday.
Hard work has led Rodrigues to this fight. “I think the UFC likes to recognize hard workers,” he said. “After I accepted a short-notice call to face Leroy Duncan in Manchester, they offered me Ikram Aliskerov in December. I said yes, but he refused. I asked for [Paulo Costa], but he didn’t want the fight. Then they offered Roman Dolidze. I accepted; he didn’t. When the UFC came up with Cannonier, who has already been part of five main events, I couldn’t think of any better recognition for my hard work.”
The 32-year-old has nothing but respect for Cannonier. “Cannonier deserves all respect,” Rodrigues said. “This guy already fought in three diferent divisions and faced champions like Anderson Silva, Glover Teixeira, Jan Blachowicz, Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya. But I believe he is naturally paying a price for all those wars and of course, he is 40 years old. I’m prepared for a five-round war against the best version of Cannonier, but of course my goal is to knock him out or submit before that.”
Rodrigues explained the key to his recent success. “The secret to evolution is to never stay in your comfort zone,” he said. “Last year I trained with Glover and [Alex Pereira]. It was such a great experience for me. In my own academy I have names like ‘Durinho,’ [Shavkat] Rakmonov, [Nassourdine] Imavov. When I train jiu-jitsu with my coach, Vagner Rocha, I [also] train with [Antonio Carlos Jr. and Marcus Almeida]. When you face challenges of that level every day, you have no reason to fear any opponent.”
The rest of the main card:
Featherweight - #10 Calvin Kattar vs. Youssef Zalal
Middleweight - Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Dylan Budka
Lightweight - Ismael Bonfim vs. Nazim Sadykhov
Middleweight - Rodolfo Vieira vs. Andre Petrovksi
Featherweight - Connor Matthews vs. Jose Delgado
ESPN + Prelims:
Women’s Strawweight - Angela Hill vs. Ketlen Souza
Lightweight - Jared Gordon vs. Mashrabjon Ruziboev
Flyweight - Rafael Estevam vs. Jesus Santos Aguilar
Welterweight - Gabriel Bonfim vs. Khaos Williams
Bantamweight - Vince Morales vs. Elijah Smith
Heavyweight - Valter Walker vs. Don’Tale Mayes
Women’s Bantamweight - Julia Avila vs. Jacqueline Cavalcanti
