FIGHT NIGHT:CANNONIER VS RODRIGUES

[mrpickem]

Typical fight night card at the Apex, a few fun fights, but as always there's money to be made!

FIGHT NIGHT:CANNONIER VS RODRIGUES​

@ UFC APEX - LAS VEGAS, NV

I'm due for a good night!

 

[B.A.R.]

Let's go!

 

[mrpickem]

FIGHT NIGHT:CANNONIER VS RODRIGUES​

@ UFC APEX - LAS VEGAS, NV

Prelims​

• 4/2.05 Jacqueline Cavalcanti by decision -195
• 2/4.50 Valter Walker wins inside distance +225
• 1/1.61 Walker/Mayes u2½ +161
• 2/2.40 Vince Morales +120
• 2/5.70 Khaos Williams wins by KO/TKO +285
• 3/2.86 Ketlen Souza -105
• 3/2.40 Jose Delgado wins inside distance -125

• Julia Avila was once a hot prospect, but after losing a one-sided decision while being dominated vs Sijara Eubanks in 2020, she seems to have lost her mojo and drive. Since then, she's 1-1 with 3 cancelled bouts. Her last fight was Dec 2023, a sub loss to Miesha Tate. She does have a well-rounded skill set and has shown an aggressive style at times. Jacqueline Cavalcanti has won 6 straight (4 in UFC). Her game usually involves maintaining distance and picking her opponent apart with technical strikes. Her main advantages though will come from youth, hunger and fight IQ. Big odds, so let's play it by decision.
• Walker is 4-1 in last 5, getting finishes in all 4 wins. Mayes is bigger with a slight reach advantage of 3". He throws more with a 3.6 strikes per minute avg, but has a rather porous TDD, so I would expect "The Clean Monster" to pressure for a takedown early, soften him up with G-n-P and ultimately find a sub.
• Elijah Smith has won 5 straight but none in UFC, while Morales is now on his 2nd career with UFC. He's only 3-6 in UFC but did fight Jonathan Martinez tough in a decision loss. KO'd Louis Smolka in DEC 2021, but with all the experience I think he's worth a small play as a dog.
• Khaos Williams bring solid power and can definitely get the KO, but he will have to be patient and avoid the takedown. If he wins, it's a KO, no decision or sub for "The Oxfighter"
• Angela Hill has been through the ringer, her first UFC fight was 2/4/17, and she is 12-14 in the octagon. She never turns down a fight and has an active style thowing lots of volume. Souza on the other hand is younger, hungrier with more power...plus she's more than will willing to eat some punched to land he heavy shots. Have to favor Souza at basically even odds, a finish wouldn't surprise me even though Hill hasn't been finished in her last 18 fights(Mar 2019 arm-bar sub loss to Randa Markos)
• Jose Delgado got a big finish a year ago in the DWCS to secure a contract, but this is his true UFC debut. I always hate to see these guys laying huge juice in first fight, but he is up against a guy with only one UFC fight and a loss at that. Delgado has finished all 8 wins(4 KO / 4 Sub) with lone loss, a decision. Maybe the hype is real, throw a bone after ITD.

 

[mrpickem]

FIGHT NIGHT:CANNONIER VS RODRIGUES​

Prelims
4/2.05 Jacqueline Cavalcanti by decision -195
2/4.50 Valter Walker wins inside distance +225
1/1.61 Walker/Mayes u2½ +161
2/2.40 Vince Morales +120
2/5.70 Khaos Williams wins by KO/TKO +285
[3-2 +4.16u]

pending...

3/2.86 Ketlen Souza -105​

3/2.40 Jose Delgado wins inside distance -125​

Main Card:​

• 2/4.88 Andre Petroski +244
• 4.20/2 Ismael Bonfim -210
• 3/2.10 Sadykhov/Bonfim o2½ -143
• 2/4.20 Jared Cannonier +210
• 1/3.60 Jared Cannonier wins inside distance +360

Petroski has strength, power and speed advantages and is more skilled on the feet, he should be able to out-work a one-dimensional fighter like Vieira who depends wholly on the takedown. Can't pass it up at this price although "The Black Belt Hunter" is a real sub threat if he gets it to the ground.
I'm a Robocop fan, the guy is a beast. But, these odds are a little too much. I believe if Cannonier remains calm under fire and counters well off Rodrigues misses, he stands a good chance for the KO. The "Killa Gorilla" undoubtably carries plenty of power to get Gregory out of there with only 1 or 2 good shots.

 

[mrpickem]

The "Killa Gorilla" come through for me, just about like I drew it up...except he had to wait a round and a half to let "Robocop" empty the tank.

FIGHT NIGHT:CANNONIER VS RODRIGUES​

Prelims
4/2.05 Jacqueline Cavalcanti by decision -195
2/4.50 Valter Walker wins inside distance +225
1/1.61 Walker/Mayes u2½ +161
2/2.40 Vince Morales +120
2/5.70 Khaos Williams wins by KO/TKO +285
3/2.86 Ketlen Souza -105
3/2.40 Jose Delgado wins inside distance -125
Main Card:
2/4.88 Andre Petroski +244
4.20/2 Ismael Bonfim -210
3/2.10 Sadykhov/Bonfim o2½ -143
2/4.20 Jared Cannonier +210
1/3.60 Jared Cannonier wins inside distance +360
[7-5 +9.04u]



Bonuses:

Fight Of The Night: Cannonier vs Rodrigues​

Jared Cannonier secured a fourth-round stoppage win over Gregory Rodrigues in a thrilling back-and-forth battle. The Brazilian “Robocop” came out strong, dropping Cannonier twice in the first round, but Cannonier regained momentum in the second. After an evenly contested third, Cannonier dropped Rodrigues late and finished him early in the fourth. It was a hard-fought victory for Cannonier, while Rodrigues impressed in his first main event appearance.

Performance Bonus:​

Gabriel Bonfim put on his most impressive UFC showing, defeating Khaos Williams with a D’arce choke at 4:58 of Round 2. The Brazilian dictated the pace with precise striking and strong fundamentals, keeping Williams on the defensive throughout the rounds. After absorbing a right hand late in the second, Bonfim swiftly changed levels and secured the choke, putting Williams to sleep just before the bell. The win moves Bonfim to 17-1, further solidifying his rise in the division.

Performance Bonus:​

Edmen Shahbazyan wasted no time getting back in the win column with a devastating first-round finish. After a brief feeling-out period, he landed a perfectly timed right that sent Dylan Budka crashing to the canvas. Shahbazyan quickly followed up with heavy ground strikes to secure the stoppage. The victory marks his third finish in five fights and keeps him as an exciting presence in the middleweight division as he looks to climb back into the Top 15.

Look ahead to "Top of the Card" next week. Fluffy and Silva are looking like true contenders, so they get strong tests respectfully.

 

[cogenman]

Great week last week pick em