Tag: UFC Vegas 102

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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VIDEO: Former Rivals Colby Covington, Kamaru Usman Have Awkward Encounter At UFC Vegas 102

Colby Covington didn’t seem to get the response he was after when bumping into former bitter rival Kamaru Usman at Saturday’s UFC event at the Apex. The polarizing former interim welterweight champion was in attendance this weekend as the mixed martial arts leader staged its latest UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas. As has often […]

Colby Covington didn’t seem to get the response he was after when bumping into former bitter rival Kamaru Usman at Saturday’s UFC event at the Apex.

The polarizing former interim welterweight champion was in attendance this weekend as the mixed martial arts leader staged its latest UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas.

As has often been the case in recent weeks and months, “Chaos” was streaming live on his Twitch account. And while speaking to his followers, Covington crossed paths with one of the night’s ESPN desk analysts, whom it’s fair to say he’s more than familiar with.

But while his and Usman’s feud is far from as heated as it was when they shared the Octagon twice a number of years ago, Covington’s attempt to initiate a conversation looked to be brushed off by the former undisputed champ.

“Yes, that was Usman guys,” Covington said after the awkward interaction. “I don’t think he wanted to talk on the stream ’cause he didn’t want the chat to hear what he had to say. But yeah, we’ll definitely chop it up a little bit. Maybe we’ll get a picture, or maybe we’ll just fight. You never know, when ‘Chaos’ is in the building, it’s unpredictable. … No hard feelings.”

Two of Covington’s three failed attempts at reaching the welterweight throne came opposite Usman at UFC 245 in 2019 and UFC 268 in 2021. While he was stopped in the fifth frame first time around, “Chaos” was unable to outpoint the then-champ in the rematch two years later.

Since then, the 36-year-old has gone 1-2, defeating Jorge Masvidal but losing emphatically to both Leon Edwards and Joaquin Buckley. His future is uncertain in 2025 following his setback at the hands of “New Mansa” last December.

Youssef Zalal Accuses Calvin Kattar Of Underhanded Tactics At UFC Vegas 102: ‘Slipperiest Guy I’ve Ever Seen’

Youssef Zalal may have had his hand raised at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night, but he believes achieving the win was made more difficult by some potential cheating. Zalal recorded the biggest win of his career to date in this weekend’s co-main event at the Apex, where he outpointed top-10 opposition in perennial featherweight contender Calvin […]

Youssef Zalal may have had his hand raised at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night, but he believes achieving the win was made more difficult by some potential cheating.

Zalal recorded the biggest win of his career to date in this weekend’s co-main event at the Apex, where he outpointed top-10 opposition in perennial featherweight contender Calvin Kattar.

But while he’s now won seven straight and can expect a high number next to his name come Tuesday’s rankings update, “The Moroccan Devil” wasn’t totally happy in the aftermath of his triumph.

During his post-fight press conference, Zalal appeared to accuse Kattar of cheating by greasing his body to ensure an advantage in grappling exchanges.

“This is the crazy part: We worked a lot of grappling, and I sh*t you not, I felt like there’s Vaseline all over his legs,” Zalal said. “I swear to God, he was the most slipperiest guy I’ve ever seen in my life, and I felt like I’m not trying to be that guy with this and that (excuse). But man, that was suspicious, bro.

“Nobody slides like that – that quick. I’ve fought a lot of good guys – Jack Shore and all those guys – and I felt when you’re dry and all that stuff, there’s no way. It is what it is. You can cheat the sport, you can do whatever you want.”

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.