Michael Bisping Pitches ‘Rematch 5 Years In The Making’ For Jared Cannonier After UFC Vegas 102

While Jared Cannonier might be unsure about his next step following Saturday’s result, one former champion thinks he’s got just the idea for the UFC middleweight contender. Cannonier proved that he’s got plenty left in the tank this past weekend when he headlined the latest UFC Fight Night at the Apex in Las Vegas. Though […]

While Jared Cannonier might be unsure about his next step following Saturday’s result, one former champion thinks he’s got just the idea for the UFC middleweight contender.

Cannonier proved that he’s got plenty left in the tank this past weekend when he headlined the latest UFC Fight Night at the Apex in Las Vegas.

Though he entered the cage as the underdog, the former title challenger overcame a couple of early knockdowns to turn the tide on Gregory Rodrigues en route to a TKO stoppage in the opening exchanges of round four.

Moving forward, “The Killa Gorilla” has admitted that his past results and the landscape of the division leaves him in a tricky position when it comes to rising the ranks.

But during a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Bisping identified a second dance with a top contender that the former champ believes makes perfect sense.

“A rematch five years in the making, I think that makes all the sense in the world,” Bisping said about Cannonier running it back with Robert Whittaker. “Robert would want it because he’d look at it as a good fight to find his mojo, to come back from, to get a win, to get back in the win column, to beat somebody that he’s beaten before.

“And, of course, for Jared Cannonier, at 40 years old, Robert Whittaker is a massive household name in mixed martial arts,” Bisping continued. “Everyone would want to see that fight and it’s a chance for Jared to get that one back.”

Whittaker has been out of action since having his surge toward another championship fight emphatically stalled by Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi last October.

Having previously won back-to-back contests opposite Paulo Costa and Ikram Aliskerov, the Australian remains close to the top and will be looking to revive his ongoing title ambitions in 2025.

With that, perhaps a second meeting with Cannonier could be in store. The pair previously did battle at UFC 254 in 2020, with Whittaker’s success on the feet including a broken arm suffered by “The Killa Gorilla” and culminating in a unanimous decision win.

Paul Felder Speaks Out After Fans Question His Reaction to Jared Cannonier’s Success at UFC Vegas 102

Paul Felder Speaks Out After Fans Question His Reaction to Jared Cannonier Win at UFC Vegas 102Paul Felder snapped back at fight fans claiming that he was “mad” about Jared Cannonier’s return to the win…

Paul Felder Speaks Out After Fans Question His Reaction to Jared Cannonier Win at UFC Vegas 102

Paul Felder snapped back at fight fans claiming that he was “mad” about Jared Cannonier’s return to the win column at UFC Vegas 102 on Saturday night.

Stepping into the main event spotlight once again, Cannonier scored an impressive fourth-round TKO over rising contender Gregory ‘Robocop’ Rodrigues in Las Vegas.

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And while most fans were excited to see the ‘Killa Gorilla’ pick up his 11th career win inside the Octagon, Paul Felder didn’t appear to be too happy about it.

At least, that’s what fans thought.

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Following the fight-ending sequence, a clip showing the commentary team’s reaction aired during the broadcast, and Felder could be seen throwing his pen on the desk as referee Herb Dean stepped in to call for the stoppage.

Paul Felder sets the record straight

Many interpreted that as the former UFC fighter being upset over Cannonier’s come-from-behind victory, but Felder sought to set the record straight on social media.

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”To everyone saying I was “mad” when Jared won his main event…you are so so wrong,” Felder wrote on X. “I have been one of his biggest fans. I have thrown my pen down after big finishes prob 100 times. I also DONT BET!! Morons . I literally said “that’s all she wrote”

Felder’s reaction was surprisingly aggressive, but it was also a passionate reaction to seeing a fighter he has sung the praises of regularly getting a big win inside the Octagon. Nothing more. Nothing less.

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Jared Cannonier Weathers Early Storm, TKOs Gregory Rodrigues in Crazy Comeback – UFC Vegas 102 Highlights

Jared Cannonier vs. Gregory Rodrigues - UFC Vegas 102 HighlightsJared Cannonier weathered an early storm and scored an impressive fourth-round TKO over the heavy-hitting Gregory Rodrigues in the…

Jared Cannonier vs. Gregory Rodrigues - UFC Vegas 102 Highlights

Jared Cannonier weathered an early storm and scored an impressive fourth-round TKO over the heavy-hitting Gregory Rodrigues in the UFC Vegas 102 co-main event.

As expected, Rodrigues came out swinging in the opening round and managed to drop ‘The Killa Gorilla’ not once, but twice. Even so, ‘Robocop’ was unable to capitalize as Cannonier utilized his wrestling to recover and escape the round.

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Rodrigues switched gears in the second round, allowing Cannonier to lead the dance, but business picked back up in the third when the Brazilian started to let his hands go late in the round. However, it was Cannonier who would land the biggest blow of the fight, connecting with a nasty elbow in close that sent Rodrigues crashing to the canvas.

Cannonier jumped on his man and unleashed some ground and pound, but there wasn’t enough time left in the round to finish things.

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Even though Rodrigues made it out of the third round, the damage was done and he looked worse of wear while heading back to his corner.

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Knowing Rodrigues was compromised, Cannonier went straight to work in the fourth, unleashing a flurry of strikes until catching ‘Robocop’ with a right hand that sent him to the mat for the second time. Before long, referee Herb Dean had seen enough, stepping in and stopping the fight mere seconds into the penultimate round.

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Official Result: Jared Cannonier def. Gregory Rodrigues via TKO (strikes) at 0:21 of Round 4.

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check out highlights from Jared Cannonier vs. Gregory Rodrigues at UFC Vegas 102:

Jared Cannonier Comes Back From Two Knockdowns To Batter Gregory Rodrigues In UFC Vegas 102 Main Event

Despite being troubled very early on in the UFC Vegas 102 main event, Jared Cannonier pulled off a major comeback to score a fourth-round finish of Gregory Rodrigues. “Robocop” brought the power from the opening round, dropping “The Killa Gorilla” twice with a couple of solid shots. Cannonier, however, managed to score a takedown late […]

Despite being troubled very early on in the UFC Vegas 102 main event, Jared Cannonier pulled off a major comeback to score a fourth-round finish of Gregory Rodrigues.

“Robocop” brought the power from the opening round, dropping “The Killa Gorilla” twice with a couple of solid shots. Cannonier, however, managed to score a takedown late in the round, trying to steal momentum.

Rodrigues continued to land solid strikes during the second round but his pace began to slow. The former title challenger, meanwhile, took advantage by picking up his own striking. He continued this output in the third, and emphasized his dominance with a late elbow that knocked “Robocop” down. Cannonier then threw some heavy ground-and-pound, nearly scoring the finish.

Jared Cannonier Rallies To Stop Gregory Rodrigues In UFC Vegas 102 Main Event

He’d find it in the fourth, however, pressuring and dominating for mere seconds before more punches folded Rodrigues.

Cannonier stops a two-fight skid with the victory tonight. He’s now 3-2 following an unsuccessful middleweight title shot against Israel Adesanya at UFC 276 — with one of those three wins coming over another former champion in Sean Strickland.

Rodrigues, who reached the fourth round for the first time in his professional MMA career, sees a three-fight win streak snapped. He entered tonight with five wins in his previous six outings.

UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Jared Cannonier TKOs Gregory Rodrigues 

UFC Fight Night took place tonight from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights!  In the main event, middleweights Jared Cannonier and Gregory Rodrigues clashed. While in the co-main event, Calvin Kattar faced Youssef Zalal in a featherweight matchup.  UFC Fight Night Results: Main Card Preliminary Card Preliminary Card Highlights  […]

UFC Fight Night took place tonight from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights! 

In the main event, middleweights Jared Cannonier and Gregory Rodrigues clashed. While in the co-main event, Calvin Kattar faced Youssef Zalal in a featherweight matchup. 

UFC Fight Night Results: Main Card

  • Middleweight: Jared Cannonier def. Gregory Rodrigues via TKO: R4, 0.21  
  • Featherweight: Youssef Zalal def. Calvin Kattar via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
  • Middleweight: Edmen Shahbazyan def. Dylan Budka via TKO: R1, 1:35
  • Lightweight: Nazim Sadykhov def. Ismael Bonfim via TKO (doctor’s stoppage): R1, 5:00
  • Middleweight: Andre Petroski def. Rodolfo Vieira via unanimous decision (29-28×3)

Preliminary Card

  • Featherweight: Jose Delgado def. Connor Matthews via KO: R1, 2.58
  • Women’s Strawweight: Angela Hill def. Ketlen Souza via split decision (29-28×2, 28-29)
  • Flyweight: Rafael Estevam def. Jesus Aguilar via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
  • Welterweight: Gabriel Bonfim def. Khaos Williams via submission: R2, 4.58
  • Bantamweight: Elijah Smith def. Vince Morales via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
  • Heavyweight: Valter Walker def. Don’Tale Mayes via submission: R1, 1.17
  • Women’s Bantamweight: Julia Cavalcanti def. Julia Avila def via unanimous decision (30-27×3)

Preliminary Card Highlights 

Valter Walker def. Don’Tale Mayes

In this heavyweight bout, Valter Walker took just over a minute to submit Don’Tale Mayes with a heel hook.

Gabriel Bonfim def. Khaos Williams

Gabriel Bonfim got the win via submission against Khaos Williams in this welterweight bout.

Jose Delgado def. Connor Matthews

In this featherweight bout, Jose Delgado earned a KO of Connor Matthews in the first round.

Main Card Highlights

Nazim Sadykhov def. Ismael Bonfim

Nazim Sadykhov was awarded the victory over Ismael Bonfim after the latter sustained an eye injury, causing the cageside doctor to call off the fight.

Edmen Shahbazyan def. Dylan Budka

In this middleweight bout, Edmen Shahbazyan took just over 90 seconds to stop Dylan Budka.

Youssef Zalal def. Calvin Kattar

In the co-main event, Youssef Zalal earned the win on the scorecards against Calvin Kattar.

Jared Cannonier def. Gregory Rodrigues

In the main event, Jared Cannonier stopped Gregory Rodrigues in the fourth round of their middleweight bout.

Jared Cannonier Says It’s Impossible To Pick Between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev

Jared Cannonier Says It's Impossible To Pick Between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat ChimaevJared Cannonier has no idea who wins between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev, but he’ll definitely tune in…

Jared Cannonier Says It's Impossible To Pick Between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev

Jared Cannonier has no idea who wins between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev, but he’ll definitely tune in to find out.

Following Du Plessis’ dominant unanimous decision victory over Sean Strickland at UFC 312, all signs point to ‘DDP’ putting his middleweight gold on the line against the undefeated Chechen monster sometime in 2025.

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So far, practically everyone inside the MMA bubble has picked a side, but Cannonier just can’t bring himself to choose one over the other.

“I’ve come to the conclusion that I—I just can’t not pick fights, you know what I mean? It’s just—it’s nothing—it’s not something that I ever liked doing,” Cannonier told Helen Yee ahead of his return to the Octagon. “Both of those guys have tools, and I’m sure they’re both going to employ their tools to the best of their ability. The question is, who’s going to be the one to prevail? I don’t know.”

Initially, Chimaev opened as a 2-to-1 favorite to come out on top in a potential clash with Du Plessis. However, those odds have shifted significantly in just a matter of days with ‘DDP’ now sitting on many sportsbooks as a slight +150 underdog.

Jared Cannonier meets ‘Robocop’ in middleweight headliner inside the APEX

As for Jared Cannonier, the ‘Killa Gorilla’ has bigger things to focus on. Like getting back into the win column when he steps back inside the Octagon this Saturday night (Feb. 15). After coming up short in his last two outings against Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho, Cannonier will test his mettle against Brazilian knockout artist Gregory Rodrigues inside The APEX.

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‘Robocop’ rides into his first Fight Night headliner on a three-fight win streak, including back-to-back KOs against Denis Tiuliulin and Brad Tavares. In July, he picked up his seventh career win under the UFC banner via a unanimous decision W over Christian Leroy Duncan.

As it stands, Rodrigues is not ranked in the middleweight division, but a win over Cannonier would likely thrust him into the division’s top 10 and make him an instant title contender.

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