UFC Vegas 102 ‘Cannonier vs. Rodrigues’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Round 1

There still ain’t no gettin’ offa’ this train we’re on until the
middle of April, so strap in and enjoy the ride. We surge through
February with a UFC Apex offering, the first of three in the next
five weeks for better or worse. Suitably, the event only features a
couple ranked competitors and a few names could be on the chopping
block should they come up short. Potentially with her back against
the wall is bantamweight Avila (9-3, 3-2 UFC), who took 2024 off
instead of completely retiring, having lost two of her last three.
The same cannot be said for Portugal’s Cavalcanti (8-1, 3-0 UFC)
who will be nine years the younger. The ladies touch ‘em up over
the oversight of referee Chris Tognoni, and the fights begin. As a
note, the old gloves are officially in effect for every UFC card
going forward. Cavalcanti in the center of the cage paws out with
jabs that clatter off the guard, and Avila gives her back a
surprisingly heavy leg kick to think about. Avila kicks on the
other side of the leg, and she backs off as Cavalcanti swarms her.
Avila circles away to check a kick and let one go, and the two try
to find their range from distance. Both lunge with long strikes,
and Avila mixes in low kicks. Avila parries a front kick and chews
up the Portuguese woman’s front calf, making her shake it out.
Cavalcanti jabs a foot to the belly and strings a few punches
together, and this activates Avila into start trading. Cavalcanti
reaches out with a long left hook to intercept Avila a few times,
and she gets a body shot in to further frustrate the geologist.
Avila checks a kick and loops a right hand over the top to keep
Cavalcanti honest. The woman from Portugal strings together a
one-two down the pipe, and she chains a few punches behind it but
gets smacked with an overhand right. Cavalcanti leans back to dodge
the worst of the swinging strike and connects on Avila, putting in
body work to open up the head. Cavalcanti brushes a pair of hooks
off the temple, and she wraps a kick around the side. Avila kicks
her back at the end of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti

Round 2

Cavalcanti is the aggressor to start off the second round, having
found her preferred range with jabs and kicks. Avila throws caution
to the wind, absorbing a strike to get in, and she connects cleanly
on her opponent. Cavalcanti shrugs it off to put a one-two on the
chin and slide back from the anticipated looping counter. Avila is
telegraphing her approach, giving Cavalcanti the right read to
avoid the worst of the damage. Cavalcanti draws out a counter,
prods out a pair of stabbing kicks to the midsection and catches a
kick that flies back at her. Cavalcanti sets it down after landing
once, and her one-two again is right on point. Cavalcanti snaps the
head to the side with a right hand down Broadway, and Avila’s
lunging blows are hitting air. Cavalcanti uses a perfect front kick
to intercept the advancing Avila, stunning her and clipping her
with a pair of fists. Cavalcanti wraps two punches around the guard
and sneaks a kick up, with Avila practically standing straight in
front of her foe taking shots. Avila sinks in on a hearty low kick,
and she belts the belly with a resounding thud. As Cavalcanti turns
away, Avila falls over and grabs Cavalcanti’s ankle. Cavalcanti
tries to escape, but Avila torques her down to the mat and blood
starts streaming down her face from a sharp right hand from the
Portuguese woman. Cavalcanti controls the guard, tying Avila up
from all but the least effective ground strikes, with Avila largely
settling for bleeding on her foe. Avila wraps up a guillotine choke
when Cavalcanti stands, but she is too slippery to get it so the
round concludes.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti

Round 3

Blood flow on Avila’s cut is largely stemmed for now, but a few
good strikes in the third round will undoubtedly open it up again.
Avila keeps her guard up high while rattling off solid leg kicks,
and she rushes forward and gets her leg caught. The pressure of
Avila surprises her opponent, as she wings punches and forces
awkward exchanges befitting of her “Raging Panda” nickname.
Cavalcanti slows her foe down with jabs, busting Avila’s nose up
and practically ignoring anything thrown at her. Avila slings for
the bleachers, but Cavalcanti is the more accurate and active of
the two. Avila hurls all power, and those strikes glide past her
adversary. Cavalcanti lets Avila crowd her so she can pop her with
short, effective punches, and picks her opportunities to get away
safely in time. Cavalcanti connects with a one-two from afar,
letting Avila flail back as Avila is still swinging hard but her
accuracy is falling fast. Cavalcanti lets her overswing so she can
ding here, staying calm under fire and further transforming Avila’s
face into a crimson mask. The two crash together at the same time,
and it is Cavalcanti who bounces forward first. Avila jabs and
scores a right hand to tie the heavy favorite up and jam her to the
wall, but this clinch exchange will not likely get her the edge she
was seeking. With seconds to go, Avila lets go with everything she
has, and the horn blares.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti (30-27 Cavalcanti)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti (30-27
Cavalcanti)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cavalcanti (30-27
Cavalcanti)

The Official Result

Jacqueline Cavalcanti def. Julia Avila via Unanimous Decision
(30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Round 1

The bad news for some is that there is a low-tier heavyweight fight
on the billing. The good thing is that it’s right now, and it
should be out of the way in the next few minutes. Alternating wins
and losses the last few years, Mayes (11-7, 1 NC; 4-5, 1 NC UFC)
has never found sturdy footing in the Octagon to date. It may be
too early to tell whether Walker (12-1, 1-1 UFC) will catch on in
the talent-starved division, but just another win or two would get
a number next to his name. The big men elect to touch gloves while
referee Dan Miragliotta stands by, prepped and ready to lop one
another’s head clean off at the root. The first strike comes from
Walker in the form of a low kick. They jab at one another, and
Walker shoots directly into a double-leg entry. Lifting “Lord Kong”
off his feet, Walker slams his man down and lands on top of him.

Walker gets in half guard and settles for dropping down strikes,
and he rolls over to his back for a sudden heel hook. Mayes turns
over and extends his limb, but this escape strategy is not the
right plan. Walker cranks the limb threateningly, and Mayes is
forced to surrender with a single tap. “The Clean
Monster” has now earned back-to-back heel hooks, a rarity in MMA
and even more unusual at heavyweight.

The Official Result

Valter Walker def. Don’Tale Mayes R1 1:17 via Submission (Heel
Hook)

Round 1

Speed kills at the lower divisions, and if their pasts are any
indication, Morales (16-8, 3-6 UFC) and Smith (7-1, 0-0 UFC) would
like nothing more than to clock out early and go home today. The
former, currently on his second stint with the promotion, did just
what any savvy fighter should do after a release: go to the
regional circuit, rack up a bunch of wins in rapid succession and
get a call back to the big leagues. In less than two years, Morales
was in, out and in again. Referee Mark Smith will know first
whether the decision to bring him back to the roster was a good
idea. Gloves are not touched, and Morales is instead the aggressor
as he backs Smith up to the cage. Smith presses back with a jab,
and Morales dodges and moves while staying in Smith’s face. Smith
prods his jabs to chain in an uppercut, snapping Morales’ head back
and surprising him. Morales gathers his thoughts and keeps
advancing, not cutting his foe off and drawing a finger wag from
the newcomer. Smith lets go with a body kick, and when he slides
away, Morales kicks him square in the groin. The clacking echo
cutting through the arena, Smith collapses to the mat in serious
trouble. Smith writhes in pain and slams his fist on the mat
several times, and he returns to his feet a minute into the
recovery time. Smith lowers himself back to a crouch as he is still
greatly struggling to get his wind back, and referee Smith is
attentive and giving the fighter updates as to his time. After two
minutes and 45 seconds, Smith is ready to fight and claps hands
with his foe to restart. Morales gets back to where he left off
with pressure, and Smith sits down on a clean left hand counter
that makes Morales’ nose match his red hair and shorts. Smith times
a jump knee counter to clip Morales on the way in, missing by a
matter of millimeters. Morales continues crowding the newcomer,
until Smith frames off and his fingers slide into the eye socket.
Referee Smith calls in the physician to check on Morales’ condition
and help clear his vision, who complains that the poke affected
both eyes. Right before the restart, Morales mentions that they are
even, and they resume fighting with 2:15 to go in the round. Smith
sticks out several sharp jabs to intercept Morales, only to get
caught with two right hooks that shake him up. While Smith counters
with a check left hook, Morales greets him with a right hand. The
jabs of Smith have opened a cut around Morales’ mouth, but he pays
it no mind as he hooks his right hand around the jab. Morales jabs
his way into a counterattack, and Smith backs him away with a pair
of chopping leg kicks. Smith is warned for outstretched fingers
again, and Morales may have suffered another uncalled eye poke as
he is struggling to blink out his left eye. While he is dealing
with that, Smith shoots for an easy takedown he uses to throw
“Vandetta” to the floor. What he doesn’t have is time, as the round
wraps.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Morales
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Smith
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Smith

Round 2

The second round begins where the first left off, with Morales
directly in Smith’s face putting heat on him. Morales does not
crowd in recklessly, keeping his guard up to block a head kick or
oncoming jabs. As Smith circles away, Morales catches him with a
left hand that forces him to stick around in the clinch. Smith
grabs hold of his foe and lifts him up like a Country Breakfast,
embodying his inner Matt Hughes to carry his opponent around the
cage to his corner. Smith scrambles to take the back, and he wraps
up a rear-naked choke that is more of a face crank. Morales works
his neck free and scrambles with a kimura sweep attempt to turn
himself over. Smith stands up and finds himself stuck on his back
suddenly when Morales dumps him to the floor. Morales snakes his
arms around the neck to tie up a brabo choke, and he steps over to
the side to try to complete the submission. Smith lays flat on his
stomach before exploding the wrong direction, keeping himself calm
and not exposing himself to greater danger. Morales keeps the choke
wrapped up around the neck even as Smith wisely shifts through it,
and the younger fighter survives the sub and claims top position.
When Morales attempts to stand, Smith looks to drag him down from
behind, and this results in Morales setting up another brabo choke.
Morales drives a few knees into the chin before rolling all the way
through for a Japanese necktie with his legs and arms wrapped up to
lock up the unorthodox maneuver. Smith works his way out of the
submission and stands up, slapping Morales on the side of the head
and rolling through an attempted Morales throw to control him from
behind at the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Morales
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Morales
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Morales

Round 3

The fighters come out firing to open the last round, with Smith
whiffing on haymakers immediately. Morales walks forward and feints
to draw out reactions, and he strings combinations together as
Smith does the same. The pace wanes as Smith does not appear to
land these big strikes often, with his sharp, direct strikes far
more effective. Smith rips an uppercut that shreds a cut on
Morales’ nose, and he times the strike to shoot in for a double
that puts Morales on his seat. While Morales works his way up, his
nose is bent entirely the wrong direction and leaking all over the
mat. There is no quit despite punches likely hurting far more than
usual on the shattered nose, and Morales takes them flush and still
cruises forward. Morales shoots for a takedown, forces a counter
shot and lays on top of Smith’s back to go for a Japanese or
perhaps Peruvian variation of the necktie. Morales bails on this
sub and sways around to the back, but Smith explodes his way back
up. Smith puts fists on face, blood spraying and Morales trying
desperately to keep a stiff upper lip. Smith pokes and prods with
jabs, and Morales points at the floor as if to lure Smith into a
defense-free brawl. When Smith does not oblige, Morales chases
after him lobbing big strikes at him. Smith defends a suplex by
landing on his hands, and Morales shockingly grabs him from behind
and wraps an unorthodox side-naked-slash-bulldog choke under the
chin. Smith’s eyes go wide, as the choke is tight even though no
hooks are in. Knowing time is on his side, Smith works Morales to
the body until time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Smith (29-28 Morales)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Smith (29-28 Smith)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Smith (29-28 Smith)

The Official Result

Elijah Smith def. Vince Morales via Unanimous Decision (29-28,
29-28, 29-28)

Round 1

The first of the vaunted Bonfim brothers takes the stage in this
welterweight contest. Called “Little Hammer” or “Marretinha,”
Bonfim (16-1, 3-1 UFC) lets his smaller, older brother take
“Hammer” outright. This Bonfim is more apt to go for submissions
than the other, with a clean three-quarters of his pro victories by
tapout. On the other side of the equation, Williams (15-3, 6-1 UFC)
has never been finished as a pro, so something might have to give
in the next 15 minutes or less. With referee Herb Dean taking a few
steps back, the fighters meander towards one another but do not
plan on offering a glove touch. Instead, they smack one another
with calf kicks. Taking turns throwing these kicks, Williams tries
to take his activity up a notch by jabbing to the body a few times.
Bonfim loops a single left hand around the guard, but Williams pays
it no mind. They lunge at one another with solid jabs, and Williams
misses a looping right hand by a matter of inches. Williams once
more whiffs on a blitz, with Bonfim sliding to the side laterally
to avoid the worst of it. Williams turns his hips into a hard kick,
and a second is greeted by a takedown shot. Williams drops to a
knee to defend it, wrapping his arm around the neck while Bonfim
has his hands around the waist. As Williams tries to scramble,
Bonfim comfortably takes his back and gets both hooks in. Williams
is defensively-minded to not let a choke materialize, and he
explodes at the exact right moment to burst back to his feet and
put Bonfim’s back to the wall. Bonfim is able to separate and stick
out numerous jabs, not letting Williams get off with his heavy
shots. “Khaos” gets back to delivering low kicks from either side,
and Bonfim times an overswinging Williams by lifting him up and
slamming him on his face. Bonfim stays tight on top of his foe to
pull off a Von Preux choke, but time expires before he can complete
it. When Dean tells them the round is over, he has to forcibly get
Bonfim to release the choke and send him to his corner.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bonfim
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Bonfim
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Bonfim

Round 2

It is more leg kicks from both men to get the second round started,
with the occasional inaccurate surge from Williams buzzing past his
opponent. Bonfim is able to successfully circle out of harm’s way,
with Williams unable to cut him off and just chasing him hurling
punches. Bonfim stays on his bike with stabbing jabs, and he chops
at the front leg when not jabbing. The approach might not be
mind-blowing but it is effective, as he occasionally follows a jab
with a good overhand right. Bonfim checks a kick and the two crash
together to bang their heads together, but they appear no worse for
wear from it. The calf kicks from the Brazilian are starting to get
Williams’ attention, who is swinging wider and appearing to flag
seven minutes in. Bonfim checks another kick or two, jabs and slips
away from the big Williams blows. Bonfim splits the guard with a
front kick and keeps putting the pain behind low kicks. A left hook
plants behind the ear of “Khaos the Ox Fighter,” who shakes it off
and gets back to trading at a range he does prefer. Williams swings
wildly with too much arc, while Bonfim is much straighter, allowing
him to hit first and last while chewing Williams up with his kicks.
Williams staggers away after taking unchecked low kicks, and he
comes up hitting air when bearing down on the Brazilian. Bonfim
stabs out a jab and parries a few punches, and he shoots for a
takedown as soon as Williams gains as modicum of momentum.

Bonfim lands in full mount but is bounced out of it, and he turns
to his knees and wraps up a brabo choke. Williams turns to his side
to ride out the choke and possibly survive to the next round, but
the submission is lethally tight. Williams goes out, his eyes
eerily open wide and his mouthpiece nearly coughed out as he stares
lifelessly into the void. Dean recognizes that
Williams has been ushered off to dreamland and waves the fight off,
with Bonfim successfully becoming the first fighter to finish the
dangerous “Khaos.”

The Official Result

Gabriel Bonfim def. Kalinn Williams R2 4:58 via Technical
Submission (Brabo Choke)

Round 1

A pair of fighters separated by about five months and five inches
of height come to blows in the on-fire flyweight category. While he
debuted with a win over Charles Johnson, inactivity has plagued
Estevam (12-0, 1-0 UFC) as that victory came in November 2023 and
he has not fought since. Since then, Aguilar (11-2, 3-1 UFC) has
competed and prevailed on two separate occasions, giving him
momentum leading up to their engagement. The third man in the
Octagon is referee Chris Tognoni, who observes the sporting clap of
hands from the fighters to get going. Aguilar says hello with a low
kick, and he charges in with a looping left that allows him to
close the distance. Estevam defends the throw setup and prevents
Aguilar from tossing him, but the ensuing grappling results in
Estevam somehow taking Aguilar’s back. The two jockey for position
and threaten with submission setups, and Aguilar sells out for a
takedown and winds up pulling Estevam on top of him instead.
Estevam smothers from half guard, staying well busy enough to stave
off Tognoni. The Brazilian fighter loops his foe’s legs beneath his
to further trap him, but Aguilar still times an explosion to power
back to his feet. Aguilar grabs hold of a guillotine choke and
jumps for it, and he hooks his leg around the back but is unable to
fasten the other. “Macapa” calmly works his way out of the sub and
he remains on top, following Aguilar every time he tries to
scramble. When Aguilar gets to his feet, Estevam has him from
behind, and he hunts for a high back ride to drag his man down.
Aguilar tries to shoot in, but Estevam controls him until the horn
sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Estevam
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Estevam
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Estevam

Round 2

Aguilar comes out of his corner like his hair is on fire, with a
pair of looping hooks leading into a jump knee. Estevam catches the
latter and tries to do something with it, but he lets it go and
dives after a takedown. Aguilar is on his seat when defending it,
with Estevam quick to lace the legs once more. Estevam sits up and
the two slug it out from a seated position, with Aguilar’s back
stuck against the wall as he spams elbows and punches with little
on them. Estevam wrestles Aguilar back down and dings him with
uppercuts, and every time he opens up, Aguilar fights to escape.
Tognoni asks for more activity, and Aguilar stands up. Estevam
chucks him back to the mat like a side of beef, and Aguilar climbs
up, circles around and jumps for a guillotine choke. Estevam stuffs
it and forces a 50/50 position, with Aguilar complaining that his
glove is being grabbed. Estevam takes his foe’s back and clubs him
in the side of the head, hitting a mat return when Aguilar
fruitlessly works his way upright once more. Aguilar clings to any
low-percentage move he can search for, while Estevam is running a
wrestling clinic on him. Estevam wraps up an arm-triangle choke,
and he jumps from one side to the other to complete the maneuver.
Aguilar turns to his stomach to prevent the submission from
completing, and the round closes.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Estevam
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Estevam
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Estevam

Round 3

Aguilar is the fast aggressor in the last round, putting hooks
behind kicks behind more hooks. Estevam slows his foe down with a
slew of front kicks, and Aguilar shrugs them off and charges with
looping strikes before pursuing a takedown. Estevam shakes out of
the tie-up, and Aguilar walks him down kicking him high and low.
Aguilar punches his way into a level change, and Estevam stonewalls
him and threatens with his own single. Aguilar stifles it, and the
two break apart. Aguilar clubs his opponent with power punches that
stun him, and he times a perfect knee when Estevam shoots on him.
Aguilar lets him up and starts laying into the unbeaten fighter
with massive swinging strikes. Aguilar throws himself off-balance,
but he has done some solid damage and likely rocked Estevam on at
least one occasion. Estevam keeps a stiff upper lip and is ready
for counters, but Aguilar’s aggression is starting to give him
issues. Estevam just dodges a huge left hook in time, and Aguilar
sits down on a low kick and lunges forward with a jab. Aguilar
punches his way into a takedown, where he puts Estevam on the mat
but does not establish top control. Instead, Aguilar lets him up
and punches him a few times, and he lets Estevam shoot so he can
defend with a guillotine. Aguilar climbs on the back—an issue
plaguing him several times tonight—and slides off almost
immediately. Estevam relishes this opportunity so he can slow
Aguilar down, with his sights likely more on surviving than
actually trying to put Aguilar away. A few more lather-rinse-repeat
takedowns and mat returns come from the Brazilian until time
expires.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Aguilar (29-28 Estevam)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Aguilar (29-28
Estevam)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Aguilar (29-28 Estevam)

The Official Result

Rafael Estevam def. Jesus Santos Aguilar via Unanimous Decision
(29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Round 1

Continuing on the prelims is what is becoming a strawweight tale as
old as time. The savvy veteran Hill (17-14, 12-14 UFC), who holds a
litany of record at 115 pounds including the most victories and
defeats, is forced to take on a less-experienced rival for a
possible torch-passing moment. While this will be the 20th pro
outing for Souza (15-4, 2-1 UFC), it may serve as her own toughest
fight, even though the same cannot be said about her opponent.
There is not a glove touch to get started, with the women so eager
to get going they nearly step over referee Mark Smith’s call to
action. Hill immediately gets behind her favored jab, and she
pressures the Brazilian around while dodging a spin kick. Hill
works the body from up close with knees, pressing Souza to the
fencing and taking a few back. Hill’s are cleaner and heavier, and
she decides to break out of the clinch and find another angle. A
few jabs out the outside score for Hill, who eats a one-two that
drives her back. Hill goes to the body with a slapping kick, and
she clips Souza with a long right hook and a scooping left. Souza
misses on the counter, and the two shoot in at the same time and
bang their foreheads together. Souza sticks out a front kick and
blocks ahead kick in response, and the two clash together once
more. Hill rolls with a punch to come out with a right over the
top, and she digs a left to the solar plexus as she ties her
opponent up. Hill times knees to the belly, punching her way out of
the clinch but standing in the pocket when Souza wants to throw
down. Souza comes out swinging a bit too aggressively, and
“Overkill” surprises her with a double that plants the Brazilian on
the mat. Souza turns to her knees so she can stand up, and Hill
batters her in the side with numerous knees as her corner is
thrilled she is listening to their instructions. Hill sneaks as
hook around to partially take the back, and she hangs on clubbing
Souza from behind until she is swept and the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hill
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Hill
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Hill

Round 2

The strawweights meet in the middle trading kicks to start the
round, and Hill uses head movement and footwork to tag Souza and
eat counters. Hill goes to the body and then tries to go up top,
and leg kick chops at the knee. The ladies stun one another with
straight punches, and the bridge of Hill’s nose is showing a little
damage. Hill slips a punch to bang Souza on the side of the head,
and she fakes a level change to come up with a left hook. Hill
fakes a jumping switch kick and goes after a takedown, forcing
Souza to respond to the attempt fully. Hill sets up a clinch to
drive knees through the guard, and Souza shakes her off and blocks
a head kick. Both women slip in short right hooks, and Souza
follows one with a knee to the body. Souza uses a right hand to
open up a head kick, and Hill blocks it just in the nick of time.
Souza spins with a back kick that plants firmly on the vet’s ribs,
and she keeps targeting the body with additional punches. Hill
glides back and gets Souza’s attention with an overhand right, and
a second makes the advancing Souza take a few back steps. Hill
takes low kick so she can reply with a side kick, and Souza sees an
opening and spins with a wheel kick. Hill lets it glance past her
so she can spin with a kick to the side, and the two are having
some fun in there. Souza leaps forward with a huge left hand, and
Hill’s chin is made of sterner stuff because she does not only not
budge, but she keeps coming forward and even rings Souza’s bell
with a spinning elbow. Souza pushes out a front kick and takes a
flush knee at the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Souza
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Souza
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Souza

Round 3

Leg kicks from both ladies open up the final frame, and Souza spins
with one failed kick to aim a wheel kick up top. Hill dodges it and
shoots for a takedown, and Souza defends with a guillotine choke
but hits her back and does not have the leverage for it. Hill stays
tight on top of the Brazilian, preventing her from any sweep,
scramble or get-up. Souza holds up a knee shield, so Hill is in an
unusual partial half guard situation, and she pries Souza’s legs
open to find a home for her striking. Souza kicks her off and
bursts to her feet, and Hill defends with a choke that has nothing
to it. Souza gets away and follows a few jabs with a right hand.
Hill kicks low and evades a huge right hand, with Souza aiming big
firepower around the midpoint of the last round. Souza pitches out
a few calf kicks, and she freezes Hill with a right hand but gets
caught with two coming back her direction. Souza keeps her distance
with probing kicks, and she stays far enough away to not get hit
with a jumping switch kick. Hill swarms her way forward, and both
women land flush one another. Hill goes to the body and head, and
she jumps in with a knee that bangs into the forehead. “Overkill”
punches her way into a takedown effort, but Souza shuts it down and
forces them back to kickboxing range. Hill rushes after her, hands
flying, and Souza’s defensive efforts keep her largely safe. Hill
wraps a left around the guard and digs a kick to the belly, and
Souza bends over and throws Hill to the floor by her ankle. Hill
climbs back up, pushes through a spin kick, drills Souza with a
right hand while the Brazilian is attempting a jump knee, and the
strawweight tilt comes to an end.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hill (29-28 Hill)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Souza (29-28 Souza)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Souza (29-28 Souza)

The Official Result

Angela Hill def. Ketlen Souza via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29,
29-28)

Round 1

Barring something unusual, the winner of this featherweight pairing
will claim their first victory in the Octagon. Matthews (7-2, 0-1
UFC) had one bite at the apple last March, only to get punched out
by Dennis Buzukja. Delgado (8-1, 0-0 UFC), a 2024 Contender Series
pickup, means to show he can still get the job done in the major
leagues by knockout or submission—as he maintains an even
distribution of stoppages due to strike as he does to sub. The
curtains are drawn and referee Dan Miragliotta is standing by. The
145ers get down to business with a clap of hands, and Delgado
starts things off with three kicks. The third kick gets countered
by a booming right hand, and Delgado decides to load up on his own
power punch on the comeback. Matthews chases after his adversary,
leading with his chin first and not the highest of guards. As
Delgado sets up some offense, Matthews zips past a strike and
wrenches Delgado down to the floor. When Delgado stands up,
Matthews hits a clean mat return while getting a hook in. Delgado
works his way out before finding himself in submission danger, and
he keeps his hands high on the way out to defend against a head
kick. When Matthews charges at him with his own head kick, Delgado
spins with a back fist that smashes the Massachusetts native in the
face.
Matthews takes it shockingly well and keeps coming forward, but
Delgado winds up and drills “The Controller” in the jaw with a
devastating right hand. Matthews rolls to hit the ground on his
back, and Delgado leaps into full mount to pound him out. Delgado
keeps hammering on the doomed Matthews, slipping punches through
the wavering guard until the lights of Matthews go
out. Miragliotta sees that Matthews has had his
consciousness deprived and he steps in. That keeps the newcomer
with a 100% finish rate, getting the job done in his debut in a
little under three minutes.

The Official Result

Jose Delgado def. Connor Matthews R1 2:58 via KO (Punches)

Round 1

It’s an all-grappling extravaganza in the middleweight division,
with Vieira (10-2, 5-2 UFC) one of the best submission artists in
BJJ possibly putting things together finally and making a run.
Standing in his way will be Petroski (12-3, 7-2 UFC) out of Renzo
Gracie Philly, who knows his way in and out of a sub—both of the
Philly variety and the necktie. The clock begins when referee Herb
Dean says go, and the fighters acknowledge him and one another by
tapping their hands together. Petroski lands a heavy low kick, and
he keeps his guard up to defend from a surprisingly fast one-two.
Vieira fakes for a takedown shot that draws a serious reaction out
of Petroski, but he calms himself down and tosses out a head kick.
Petroski chips at the front leg, and Vieira kicks him back far
heavier. Vieira jabs the body with a front kick and takes a right
hand on the chin to force a reset. Leg kicks come from both sides,
and Vieira’s bobbing is keeping Petroski cautious. When Vieira
crushes him, Petroski brains him with a powerful left hook that
sends him hurtling face-first to the mat. The Brazilian bounces off
the ground and back to his feet seemingly no worse for wear from
the flash knockdown. More low kicks fly from both ends, and
Petroski kicks Vieira coming in and shakes up his entry. Petroski
wraps three punches on the side to further get Vieira’s attention,
prompting the Brazilian to shoot in on his hips. Petroski stuffs
the shot and gets back to kickboxing range, keeping his uppercut on
the read to time as an intercepting strike. When Vieira does not
shoot, Petroski lashes out with a left hook. The fighter both go
after additional leg kicks, tossing them in when there is an
opening. Vieira dives after a single, and the American turns when
stopping it and breaks away. Petroski jabs the body and checks a
kick, and a right hand from over the top nicks his cheek and causes
a thin trickle of blood to flow. Vieira targets the blood spot with
a few punches, and Petroski answers him with a successful takedown.
Rather than play in the guard, Petroski bails on the position and
stands, and he takes a front kick on the way up. The round
ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Petroski
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Petroski
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Petroski

Round 2

There is a clap of hands from the middleweights to get going, and
Vieira jabs out and follows one with a stern right hand. Petroski
circles away, not letting Vieira cut him off or corner him. When
Petroski commits to an overhand right, Vieira shoots and fails.
Petroski backs him off and dings him with a right hand, and he
shuts down a secondary shot and works his way out. Vieira reaches
his man with a right hand, and both fighters try to sweep the leg.
There are single jabs from both sides to multiple targets, and
Vieira uses a jab to set up a takedown. Petroski hits his seat for
less than a second before springing off the floor, where he leans
on the cage and tries to spin out. Vieira loads up on three power
punches with Petroski’s back to the wall, and Petroski gets out
before taking more and clubs Vieira on the nose with a right hook.
Vieira strings together straight punches, landing cleanly on the
American without too much concern about anything coming back.
Vieira keeps giving chase throwing big punches, and Petroski’s head
movement and footwork is on point enough to not take too much
damage. The jiu-jitsu player cracks Petroski with a straight right,
keeping to simple combinations of maybe three or so. Petroski walks
into a jab that is so clean, he high-fives his opponent for hitting
him with it. Petroski jams the front leg with a kick that makes
Vieira stagger for a second, and he tags Vieira coming in with a
right hand. The Brazilian is stood up with a jab when advancing,
and he takes a pounding body kick right at the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Vieira
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Vieira
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Vieira

Round 3

The fighters touch ‘em up leading into the last round, and Vieira
gets right in Petroski’s grill throwing punches and kicks. Petroski
potshots him from afar, circling away not far from the cage while
launching a front kick that brushes past the chin. Vieira grips a
single and fails to ground his opponent, and Petroski makes him pay
for the naked shot with a solid overhand right. Petroski doubles up
on low kicks and checks one after, with the Brazilian’s limb
welted, swollen and bright red. Vieira sprints in for a takedown,
and when Petroski’s backside hits the canvas, he turns and climbs
back upright using the fence as his ally. Vieira clings on from the
back, hands clasped around the waist, and Petroski shakes it off
and batters the lead wheel with a ferocious kick. Vieira’s jab has
drawn some swelling of Petroski’s right eye, and he reacts every
time there is a pump-faked takedown. Petroski beats down the front
leg a few more times to visible success, and a shot from the
jiu-jitsu ace is labored and does not reach the finish line.
Petroski marks up Vieira’s face with his right hand, bloodying the
cheek and going after it a few times. The American thumps up the
body with a kick, and Vieira is right there in front of him with a
one-two down the pipe. Petroski fires off an even heavier two-punch
salvo, and his work on the front leg has slowed Vieira just enough
to get in and out. Vieira shoots for a double that is stopped in
its tracks, and Petroski walks him down and punches him square in
the face. As if to send a final message, Petroski partially hits a
single, and Vieira scampers away at the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Petroski (29-28 Petroski)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Petroski (29-28
Petroski)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Petroski (29-28 Petroski)

The Official Result

Andre Petroski def. Rodolfo Vieira via Unanimous Decision (29-28,
29-28, 29-28)

Round 1

Hoping to making tonight a winning night for the family, the elder
yet lighter Bonfim (20-4, 2-1 UFC) hits the cage. In a class battle
of Brazil vs. Azerbaijan, “Marreta” squares off with Sadykhov
(9-1-1, 2-0-1 UFC) in what could be a fascinating 155-pound affair.
The styles presented by both men could result in some mighty,
thrilling clashes before the dust settles, and referee Mark Smith
has the best seat in the house. Doing his duties, Smith clocks the
fighters in who are already mid-fist bump. They switch stances
while looking for range, and Bonfim strikes first with a few
punches and a low kick. Sadykhov has a head kick pound into the
guard, and he kicks a few times and spins with a failed back fist.
Bonfim loops a right hand around the raised block, and he lets
Sadykhov wind up so he can blast him with a right hand and let
Sadykhov go whizzing past him. Bonfim just misses with a speedy
one-two, and he has a second impact off the shoulder. A third gets
through, forcing Sadykhov to swing hard at him. Bonfim gets away
with an eye poke, and Sadykhov whips a hook kick at him. Bonfim
raps two right hands on the side of the melon, and Sadykhov takes
them cleanly without overly seeming concerned. Bonfim lunges to
connect with two punches, dancing away from a head kick. Bonfim’s
one-two is money in the bank as he keeps drilling “Black Wolf” with
it, and Sadykhov is tough but under serious fire. Sadykhov swing
back with a vengeance, but his hurled strikes are largely coming up
short. Bonfim surges forward with punches, bouncing Sadykhov off
the wall and back. When Bonfim wraps a kick under the guard, he is
able to slide away before Sadykhov can wind up with his own left
hand response. Two kicks from Sadykhov are blocked, and a third
hits Bonfim right in the eye and messes him up. Bonfim escapes, and
Sadykhov rushes after him hitting him with hammers. A few big left
hands from Sadykhov bust a cut open under his right eye, and
Sadykhov uses the clinch to hang on to the bell.
Between rounds, Bonfim is appearing severely compromised from the
head kick. Smith brings in the doctor after letting the corner and
cutman do their business. Bonfim claims that he cannot see, and
that is all a physician needs to hear to suggest a fight getting
called off. Bonfim is upset, as he says that he both
can and can’t see, with the ringside doctor saying it can’t be both
ways. Any complaints no longer matter, as Smith waves the fight off
due to the advice of the physician.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sadykhov
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Sadykhov
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sadykhov

The Official Result

Nazim Sadykhov def. Ismael Bonfim R1 5:00 via TKO (Doctor
Stoppage)

Round 1

In the “featured fight of the night” slot, a .500 fighter with 10
UFC outings goes up against one that has fought and lost twice.
Momentum may not be the word of the day here, but the terms ‘pink
slip’ or ‘destruction’ could be. Hoping to keep their jobs,
Shahbazyan (13-5, 5-5 UFC) aims to follow the successes that David
Gladfelter and Cesar Almeida had against Budka (7-4, 0-2 UFC). Keep
tabs on the middleweights is referee Chris Tognoni, who stands by
as the fighters engage in a clap of hands. Shahbazyan walks
forward, through a right hand that catches him fairly cleanly, so
he can flick out a pair of jabs. Budka lets fly a body kick, and he
parries Shahbazyan coming forward. Budka drives forward behind a
pair of jabs, and Shahbazyan sees this coming as a wry grin wraps
across his face from ear to ear.
“The Golden Boy” fades back and plants a right hand square on the
chin, and Budka’s balance immediately betrays him as he stumbles
back and hits the deck. Shahbazyan rushes at “The Mindless Hulk,”
depriving him of any further brain cells with a few hammerfists
before Tognoni has seen more than enough. Shahbazyan
races off to celebrate with his corner, shocked that their timely
advice of a pull-back right hand played out perfectly. That is one
more highlight on the reel of the 27-year-old, who may not be
totally washed despite the complaints of critics and
colleagues.

The Official Result

Edmen Shahbazyan def. Dylan Budka R1 1:35 via TKO (Punches)

Round 1

Records are meant to be broken, and torches are meant to be passed.
It is not a guarantee of either, but rather that with enough time,
everything moves forward. Itching to see if the featherweight
division has passed him by entirely, 36-year-old striker Kattar
(23-8, 7-6 UFC) had had a tough go of it since his fateful
encounter with Max Holloway in 2021. On the other side of that
metric is Zalal (16-5-1, 6-3-1 UFC), who bounced out and back into
the UFC only to find himself on a solid run of three straight
submissions. Whether Kattar can impose adequate resistance or be
the fourth in that line, referee Dan Miragliotta will oversee it
all from start to finish. Gloves are touched, and both men want to
start fairly measured. Picking their shots with jabs and low
kicks—a pace that has been consistent for many of the fights on
this card—Zalal aims a few more times at the front leg before going
up high. Zalal jabs and moves, with Kattar giving chase but not
cutting him off or cornering him. Zalal is able to strafe to either
side, poking with his strikes and not taking much back. They both
flash jabs at the same time, and it is Zalal who follows up with a
one-two. The Moroccan is comfortable at his own distance,
outshooting the boxer and marking his face up with power punches.
Zalal picks a jab to open up a step-in knee, and Kattar walks him
down but is stuck in first gear. Zalal reaches his man with a long
right hand, and they try to trip one another at the same time.
Kattar buzzes the hair with a huge overhand right, and Zalal pecks
at him with a left hook before zipping away. Zalal measures another
knee up the middle, and Kattar’s chin has no trouble holding up.
Kattar puts a little more mustard behind some punches, and Zalal is
forced to book it to the side so he does not get hurt. Zalal keeps
moving, Kattar keeps chasing and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Zalal

Round 2

Fists are tapped together before they are traded in Round 2, and
they let their jabs fly early. Zalal shoots in for a double, and
Kattar easily stuffs it and turns to the side to break away. Zalal
jabs the body and then the head, and his head movement keeps him
from taking unnecessary shots. Zalal shifts to one direction, then
pivots the other way, and he throws out a takedown to keep Kattar
guessing. Zalal jabs Kattar up, and his leg kicks mixed in are
repeatedly effective. Zalal steps in with a high knee that bounces
off the eyebrow, and he checks a kick that flies his way. Zalal
splits the guard with a jab and rips a kick to the ribs, and he
does not slow “The Boston Finisher.” Kattar follows Zalal around
the Octagon, with Zalal doing full rotations and then some while
Kattar tries and fails to track him down. Kattar drops low to shoot
a faked takedown, and Zalal just misses with an uppercut. “The
Moroccan Devil” rifles off a kick to the side, and he chains a few
jabs behind it. Kattar reaches him with his own body kick, but it
is one-and-done as he is primarily headhunting with jabs. Kattar
checks a kick and maintains Zalal’s respect with a scooping right
hand over the shoulder, and he appears irritated that he cannot
track and lock Zalal down. The horn sounds with Kattar lunging at
air.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Zalal
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Zalal

Round 3

There is a presumptive final glove touch leading into the last
round, and Kattar has listened to his corner and is pressing the
action even harder than before. Kattar’s chases have turned into
borderline jogging sessions, with Zalal rapidly springing from side
to side to evade attack. Kattar tries to time an uppercut, and he
gets his hands on Zalal at least once in a flurry before Zalal
rushes away. Kattar scores a low kick, checks one back and drops to
his knees to defend and crawl away from a takedown. Kattar gets up
and sprints towards Zalal with looping left hands, and Zalal pecks
back with jabs. Kattar sells out and marches through a few strikes
to bash Zalal in the cheek with an elbow, and Zalal’s expression
changes from light-hearted to one a bit more serious. Zalal keeps
hurrying away to one side, and Kattar is tracking him and winding
up with big power. Zalal senses danger and slides away, marking up
Kattar’s face and swelling up his right eye. Kattar reaches and
connects cleanly on Zalal, who stumbles to the side and is no worse
for wear. Kattar is buzzing missiles past his intended target, with
Zalal doing nothing but running away while Kattar is hellbent for
leather. Zalal occasionally sticks out a jab, but over the last few
minutes he has been backpedaling even more than usual—drawing boos
and questions of what the rule of timidity is for, if a fighter can
back away from engagements for minutes at a time without being
called on it. Kattar cannot get the home run strike he is looking
for, and when the fight wraps, he is understandably disappointed
that he got outhustled.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kattar (29-28 Zalal)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Kattar (29-28 Zalal)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Kattar (29-28 Zalal)

The Official Result

Youssef Zalal def. Calvin Kattar via Unanimous Decision (29-28,
29-28, 29-28)

Round 1

The last fight on the card might not be the one with the most
immediate title implications, but it is a curious stylistic clash
nonetheless. Soon to be 41, while the goal of a belt might be
beyond Cannonier (17-8, 10-8 UFC), he plans on staying relevant in
the division for as long as his body holds out. Eight years younger
with fewer miles on him, Rodrigues (16-5, 7-2 UFC) has still been
through the meat grinder in what will be his 10th bout in the UFC
tonight. With nothing more to be said, referee Herb Dean brings the
fighters together to issue their final instructions. While he does,
they touch gloves. Cannonier leads the dance in the center of the
cage and pitches a calf kick. They are tense and ready to unleash
something horrible on one another, but all they have lobbed so far
is the calf kick. Rodrigues shifts this up with two body kicks and
a one-two down the pipe. On the success of the first, Rodrigues
connects with a second one-two, and Cannonier takes it on the chin
and hurls back violently. Rodrigues stands straight in front of his
foe and blasts the lead leg with a kick that he turns his hips
into. Cannonier shrugs it off and returns ins kind. Rodrigues steps
in with a left hook, and he chains a few punches together to put
the former title challenger on his seat. Cannonier climbs back up,
and Rodrigues thinks about a standing submission but instead lines
up a clinched knee as he lets Cannonier drive him across the cage.
When they trade hands, it is clear that Rodrigues has the utmost
power advantage for now, and Cannonier is reacting significantly
when taking strikes. Cannonier is not afraid and slings back,
including a few big right hands. One opens Cannonier up to a level
change, where Rodrigues hits a single and puts the Alaskan on the
floor for a moment. The moment Cannonier is back up, “Robocop” has
hands to put on his face. Rodrigues walks through a naked leg kick
to smash Cannonier in the face, and Cannonier defends with knees
that are lifted surprisingly high. Cannonier jabs and cracks
Rodrigues, but it does not matter as the cannonballs that Rodrigues
hurls send Cannonier flying once more. Cannonier shakes off the
cobwebs and shoots for a double, and he wriggles his neck out of a
guillotine setup to put the Brazilian on the mat. Cannonier clings
tightly to his man, using clinch strikes to ride out the round
where the only question is how many 10-8 scores that Rodrigues will
receive.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Rodrigues
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Rodrigues
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Rodrigues

Round 2

The middleweights touch ‘em up to start the second round, and it is
Cannonier who is the aggressor out of the gate. Slipping the power
strikes and keeping his straight, Cannonier backs “Robocop” down
and lands on him. One hard right boops Rodrigues in the nose, but
the Brazilian tanks it like a champ and throws back with bad
intentions. Cannonier goes up high with a kick and follows the leg
strike with one from his right hand, and a subsequent left tears
open the flesh beneath Rodrigues’ right eyelid. Cannonier is able
to crowd Rodrigues, stay directly in front of him and pick his
shots carefully without nearly as much danger as the previous
frame. Cannonier finds his home on the face with jabs and right
hands, and he sways back as Rodrigues is not landing nearly as
cleanly on him. Rodrigues sits down on a pair of punches, only to
get his chin checked by the former title challenger. Cannonier
turns his hips through a thumping kick, and he connects with two
kicks before trying to back away and reset. A clubbing left from
Rodrigues drifts over the guard and into the chin, and he leans
back and works the body with a kick. Cannonier hammers the inside
thigh with a balance-compromising kick, and he pumps his fists and
goes to engage. Rodrigues times a knee coming in, but Cannonier
still shoves his way through it and lifts Rodrigues up to deposit
him gingerly to the canvas. When “Robocop” stands, he is backed to
the fence as Cannonier chews up and spits out parts of his ribcage.
The round ends, and the body language of Rodrigues has transformed
significantly after 10 minutes of combat.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cannonier
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Cannonier
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cannonier

Round 3

A quick clap of hands is right before Cannonier probes out with a
few jabs. Cannonier steps in with his chin a little too high, and
Rodrigues knocks it back but does not floor his foe this time.
Cannonier takes it just well enough to keep pushing the action
forward, where he delivers a low kick on the front calf. Cannonier
chips away on the inner leg of his adversary, and he punches
Rodrigues to make him bounce off the cage wall. Rodrigues throws
hard, Cannonier responds and Rodrigues replies to that in
sequential order. Rodrigues surprises the ex-title challenger with
a high kick, and he uses plenty of head movement to avoid most of
the jabs aimed at his mug. Cannonier still gets in a stiff right
hand after measuring with jabs, and those rights have busted open
additional cuts on the face of the Brazilian. Rodrigues works a
one-two around the jab, and they trade fierce right hands one after
the other. A hellacious Cannonier uppercut goes wide, and “Robocop”
attacks with a flurry of fists. Cannonier scores a huge right hand
and gets nearly knocked off his feet, with the two throwing bombs.
Rodrigues shoots for a lazy single that allows him to set up an
elbow up top, and he rattles Cannonier’s balance with a few massive
right hands. Momentum is shifting at the drop of a hat in this
back-and-forth affair, except grappling is a non-factor for
Rodrigues at the time. Cannonier gets up close and exact some
serious damage, decking “Robocop” with a seemingly sharpened and
sending him collapsing to the mat. When he tries to sit up,
Cannonier bowls him over and bombards him with punches and elbows.
The bell rings, but Rodrigues is still clearly physically
compromised and shows it by having a tough time getting back to his
corner.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cannonier
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Cannonier
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cannonier

Round 4

The minute to recover is not nearly enough for Rodrigues, who
wobbles out of his corner in a bad way from the shellacking at the
end of the round. The soon-to-be 41-year-old has another gear he
has not turned up to yet, and he shows it practically immediately.

Cannonier bears down on his flagging opponent, backing him up to
the wall and opening up with tremendous hooks. Rodrigues leans with
his back to the wall, and Cannonier opens up head shots with a
powerful right to the liver. When “Robocop” shows a bit of weakness
reacting to that body blow, Cannonier charges with one final
destructive onslaught. Rodrigues’ legs give way beneath him as “The
Killa Gorilla” lords over him, pounding on him relentlessly and
reminding the masses that age is nothing but a number.
Dean calls a halt to the contest, and Cannonier firmly informs the
middleweight division he has plenty more to offer. When he fights
again, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.

The Official Result

Jared Cannonier def. Gregory Rodrigues R4 0:21 via TKO
(Punches)