The UFC Apex in Las Vegas hosted Saturday’s UFC Vegas 102: Cannonier vs. Rodrigues fight card. The event was headlined by a middleweight clash between No. 7 ranked Jared Cannonier and the red hot Gregory Rodrigues.
Cannonier hoped to snap a two-fight losing streak at the UFC Apex on Saturday while Rodrigues looked to extend a three-fight winning streak and earn a spot in the rankings.
They touched gloves and Cannonier landed first with a leg kick. Rodrigues took the center of the cage delivered a hard kick to the body. Rodrigues connected with a right hand followed by another. Cannonier answered with a right hand. Rodrigues’ right hand continued to find a home. He dropped Cannonier with a straight right. Cannonier quickly got to his feet and clinched.
They worked for position along the cage before separating. Both me were throwing punches to finish the fight. Rodrigues dug to the body with a left hand. He changed levels and took Cannonier down but “The Killa Gorilla” quickly got to his feet. Rodrigues pressured Cannonier. A short right hand send Cannonier crashing to the canvas a second time. Cannonier worked his way back to his feet and worked to get the fight to the ground. Rodrigues immediately popped back up. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-8 for Rodrigues.
Cannonier came out pressuring Rodrigues in the second frame. He landed his jab and set up a right hand. Rodrigues output slowed. Cannonier used volume to dictate the pace through the first half of the round. Rodrigues landed a left hand. Cannonier responded with a left hook. Cannonier delivered a knee to the body and slipped. He stood and clinched. They separated in the closing seconds. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Cannonier.
Cannonier went back to utilizing his jab to start the third. He pressured Rodrigues. Cannonier connected with a combination. Rodrigues responded with body shots. Cannonier continued to move forward behind his jab. Rodrigues landed a combination. Cannonier returned fire with a left hand. Rodrigues’ hands were down by his waist. Rodrigues clinched and Cannonier connected with an elbow on the inside that dropped Rodrigues. The round ended with Cannonier dropping bombs trying to end the fight. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Cannonier.
Cannonier pressured Rodrigues to start the fourth. He landed a combination before going to the body. He continued to apply pressure and Rodrigues wilts under the pressure. Cannonier scored the TKO win.
