UFC Vegas 102 | HOF Picks
UFC Vegas 102
UFC Vegas 102 is set to deliver an action-packed night of fights this Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main event features a pivotal middleweight clash between former title challenger Jared Cannonier and the surging Gregory Rodrigues. Cannonier, looking to snap a two-fight skid, faces a dangerous opponent in Rodrigues, who rides a three-fight win streak into his first UFC main event.
The co-main event pits veteran Calvin Kattar against the red-hot Youssef Zalal in a featherweight bout with significant implications. Zalal, on a six-fight win streak, aims to break into the rankings against the battle-tested Kattar.
Other notable matchups include Rodolfo Vieira vs. Andre Petroski at middleweight and the return of the Bonfim brothers, Ismael and Gabriel, who look to replicate their impressive performances from UFC. Ismael faces Nazim Sadykhov in a lightweight contest, while Gabriel takes on the hard-hitting Khaos Williams at welterweight.
The Home of Fight Experts are here to help put cash into your pockets for this stacked fight night event, so let’s see what they have cooking for this weekend!
Rodrigues vs Cannonier | HOF
Jared Cannonier vs. Gregory Rodrigues
- HayJive – Gregory Rodrigues
“Both guy’s durability have been in question at times and right now Cannoniers is the biggest red flag. This fight comes down to durability and cardio, where I give Rodrigues the slight edge. Give me Robocop by rd 3 KO.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Gregory Rodrigues
“Jared is a tough fight, but being 40 years old with injuries and coming off two fights where lots of damage amassed, I believe Robocop will have chances to hurt Jared and eventually finish the fight.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Gregory Rodrigues
“Jared’s durability has been taking significant hits, and at his advanced age, you can no longer afford many beatdowns, especially in a short span. He’s now taking a Robocop who is entering his prime, and that carries immense power and the ability to dictate where the fight goes.”
- Austin Swaim – Gregory Rodrigues
“Cannonier’s age has started to show with recent durability, and getting dropped by Caio Borrahlo is not a good sign against an accurate, powerful “Robocop”. I’ve got Rodrigues 44.9% likely to find a KO; Jared has never been submitted in UFC.”
- The Fight Analyst – Gregory Rodrigues
“Both fighters certainly have their durability issues however, Rodrigues is in his prime right now while Cannonier is way out of it. Rodrigues is going to show out in his first main event spot getting the brutal knockout and extending his winning streak to four in a row.”
Marcel Dorff | X
Calvin Kattar vs. Youssef Zalal
- HayJive – Youssef Zalal
“Zalal has a risk averse style that can beat a lot of fighters and Kattar will likely fall victim to it. Zalal wins by keeping his range and mixing in grappling sequences. Give me Zalal by decision.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Youssef Zalal
“Zalal is on another level since getting back into the UFC, and his grappling has shown to be his X Factor. Kattar is a legend, but older now and struggles with these grapplers. I think the younger guy with the sharper ground game will get it done.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Youssef Zalal
“Kattar’s sole submission loss was all the way back in 2008. His submission defense is great as we saw against Aljamain Sterling, and his durability will always be highlighted. While his takedown defense isn’t what it once was, Zalal will still have to work for it, but that will lead him to winning time on the ground when he does get it there.”
- Austin Swaim – Youssef Zalal
“Aljo wasn’t even able to sub Calvin Kattar, who is super conservative in grappling positions to just not get finished. However, Zalal takes risks with incredible speed to set up chokes. I’ve modeled him 36.8% likely to find another neck on Saturday.”
- The Fight Analyst – Youssef Zalal
“Youssef Zalal is one of the biggest surprises in the featherweight division with a 3-0 record with all three finishes in his second stint. He’s getting the biggest opportunity in his second chance at the best time with Calvin Kattar coming off a long layoff due to injury. Zalal’s lateral movement and much improved grappling game should stifle the boxing of Kattar to extend his winning streak.”
Marcel Dorff | X
Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Dylan Budka
- HayJive – Edmen Shahbazyan
“Shahbazyan likely nukes him early, but even if he doesn’t I don’t see how Budka can capitalize. Shahbazyan by rd 1 KO.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Edmen Shahbazyan
“This one is risky just because Edmen has a tendency to break down after some adversity in fights. I do expect him to land plenty of damage that will make it harder and harder for Budka to get his wrestling going.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Edmen Shahbazyan
“While a lot is spoken on how Budka is a great wrestler, it hasn’t converted that well into the UFC, as he had a lackluster performance against Petrovski where he was dominated and suffered a KO loss against kickboxer Cesar Almeida. While we do scrutinize Shabazyan based off his performances, this is a winnable fight for him.”
- Austin Swaim – Edmen Shahbazyan
“This loss would be quite the fall from grace for “Golden Boy”, but he’s the more skilled and experienced fighter everywhere. Budka’s only hope is a total gas out, but he is fairly tough.”
- The Fight Analyst – Edmen Shahbazyan
“Two fighters who are struggling mightily coming into a fight with their backs against the wall. Shahbazyan has at least proven in the past he has the skills to be a UFC fighter, unlike Budka. Shahbazyan shrugs off the early takedowns and knocks him out midway through the fight.”
Marcel Dorff | X
Ismael Bonfim vs. Nazim Sadykhov
- HayJive – Nazim Sadykhov
“I like both guys, but the biggest factor in this fight will be the pace that Sadykhov pushes. He likes to stay in his opponents face and make them uncomfortable. If he does that I think he comes away with a late finish.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Nazim Sadykhov
“I’ve flipped on this fight multiple times. Sadykhov has great skills and shouldn’t be outclassed here. If he can put together a hard 15 minutes he should be able to make this very close.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Ismael Bonfim
“Bonfim has great and accurate striking and elite submission grappling. Sadykhov is an excellent fighter but he does have the ability to leave fights get out of his control at times, which benefits Bonfim.”
- Austin Swaim – Nazim Sadykhov
“Bonfim is one of the most ambiguous prospects on the roster to me. He’s got a ton left to prove other than exploiting Terrance McKinney’s poor defense and an old Pichel. I’ll pick the upset in what is a super competitive, well-rounded fight.”
- The Fight Analyst – Ismael Bonfim
“Sadykhov is a powerful fighter who can end the fight with one single punch and has the grappling upside in this fight. However, Sadykhov will struggle mightily at range against Bonfim and will not be able to dominate in the grappling as he did against Borshchev. Bonfim should be able to pick Sadykhov apart at range mixing in his striking combinations and even the occasional takedown en route to a decision victory.”
Marcel Dorff | X
Rodolfo Vieira vs. Andre Petroski
- HayJive – Rodolfo Vieira
“This matchup could get ugly fast, but I’m gonna go with the world class BJJ here. I expect Vieira to hold his own on the feet, get his takedowns and win by 2nd round submission.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Rodolfo Vieira
“Viera is going to be the better submission artist, will probably throw the same volume on the feet, and capitalizes well off fighters who make mistakes. Whoever makes the first mistake here will lose, and I think petroski makes it first.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Rodolfo Vieira
“Both are elite grapplers, however Vieira’s submission threats will automatically give him the advantage here, considering his striking is superior as well, and Petroski will aim to take this to the ground.”
- Austin Swaim – Andre Petroski
“This could be an ugly striking fight if the grappling sort of cancels out between these greats, but at these odds, I’ll take the younger fighter who wasn’t dropped by Cody Brundage two fights ago.”
- The Fight Analyst – Rodolfo Vieira
“Rodolfo Vieira has come a long way since his loss to Anthony Hernandez and seems to be progressing even at the late stage of his career which is hard to say about Petroski. While Petroski has won 2 in a row, he’s needed to utilize his grappling to do so. With Vieira having the leg up in the grappling and the progressing striking, I expect Vieira to mix it up until he lands the takedown and sink in another arm-triangle choke finish on his resume.”
Marcel Dorff | X
Jose Delgado vs. Conor Matthews
- HayJive – Jose Delgado
“Delgado should have a noticeable striking advantage in this one, and I don’t see Matthew’s being able to mix in the wrestling to outclass Delgado on the ground. Give me Delgado by TKO.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Jose Delgado
“Watch out for Delgado in the UFC. He’s young, raw talent, and powerful and with more experience is going to be a tough out for anyone. I think his striking is better than matthews, and I think the speed will be a big issue as well.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Jose Delgado
“Delgado is the definition of violence and precision and I believe this will be the case here. Matthews is solid but he is open to shots.”
- Austin Swaim – Jose Delgado
“Jose proved to be a powerhouse on the Contender Series, mowing through a super tough Ernie Juarez. Connor Matthews’ shaky chin and poor resumé is a soft landing spot in his debut.”
- The Fight Analyst – Jose Delgado
“Connor Matthews is outgunned mightily on the feet and will have to live and die by his grappling. Unfortunately, Delgadao trains at The MMA Lab with a great group of grapplers that will have him ready to sprawl and brawl his way to a mid-round finish in his UFC debut.”
Want to know more about each event? Visit homeoffight.com or any of our social media accounts for more articles, fighter interviews, and plenty of more coverage. Enjoy the fights, let us know how you’ll be watching!
