If there’s one thing fight fans love, it’s a comeback story. And that’s exactly what Jared Cannonier delivered in the main event of UFC Fight Night 251. Up against the powerful Gregory Rodrigues, Cannonier found himself in serious trouble early on, but in true veteran fashion, he turned things around and sealed the win with a devastating finish.
A Rough Start for Cannonier
Right from the opening bell, Rodrigues came out looking sharp. He dropped Cannonier twice in the first round, and for a moment, it looked like we might be in for a quick night. But Cannonier has never been one to fold under pressure. Instead of panicking, he stayed patient, absorbed the damage, and did just enough to survive the round.
Shifting the Momentum
By the time the second round started, Cannonier was making adjustments. His counters were landing cleaner, his movement was more controlled, and Rodrigues wasn’t looking quite as dangerous as before. The momentum shift became even clearer in the third round, as Cannonier started walking Rodrigues down, forcing him to fight on the back foot.
A Knockout Worth the Hype
Then came the fourth round. Cannonier saw his opening, unleashed a vicious combination, and sent Rodrigues crashing to the mat. The referee stepped in without hesitation, giving Cannonier a massive TKO victory that not only snapped his losing streak but also put him right back in the middleweight title conversation.
Other Fights That Stole the Show
The main event wasn’t the only highlight of the night. A few other fighters put on performances worth talking about:
• Youssef Zalal put on a technical masterclass against Calvin Kattar, earning a unanimous decision victory in the co-main event.
• Edmen Shahbazyan made a statement with a 95-second knockout of Dylan Budka, reminding everyone why he was once considered one of the top prospects in the division.
• Gabriel Bonfim showed off his slick submission game, catching Chaos Williams with a beautiful choke in the second round.
Full UFC Fight Night 251 Results
Main Event:
• Middleweight Bout: Jared Cannonier defeated Gregory Rodrigues via TKO (punches) at 0:21 of Round 4.
Co-Main Event:
• Featherweight Bout: Youssef Zalal secured a unanimous decision victory over Calvin Kattar after three rounds.
Main Card:
1. Middleweight Bout: Edmen Shahbazyan triumphed over Dylan Budka with a TKO (punches) at 1:35 of Round 1.
2. Lightweight Bout: Nazim Sadykhov won against Ismael Bonfim via TKO (doctor stoppage) at the end of Round 1.
3. Middleweight Bout: Andre Petroski earned a unanimous decision over Rodolfo Vieira after three rounds.
4. Featherweight Bout: Jose Delgado knocked out Connor Matthews with punches at 2:58 of Round 1.
Preliminary Card:
1. Strawweight Bout: Angela Hill edged out Ketlen Souza with a split decision after three rounds.
2. Flyweight Bout: Rafael Estevam defeated Jesus Santos Aguilar via unanimous decision after three rounds.
3. Welterweight Bout: Gabriel Bonfim achieved a technical submission (Brabo choke) against Kalinn Williams at 4:58 of Round 2.
4. Bantamweight Bout: Elijah Smith won over Vince Morales by unanimous decision after three rounds.
5. Heavyweight Bout: Valter Walker submitted Don’Tale Mayes with a heel hook at 1:17 of Round 1.
6. Bantamweight Bout: Jacqueline Cavalcanti secured a unanimous decision victory over Julia Avila after three rounds.
Cannonier’s ability to survive the early storm and come back stronger proves why he’s still one of the most dangerous guys in the division. Now the big question is: Who’s next for him? With this kind of performance, he’s back in the mix for another shot at the top.
