On Saturday night, UFC Vegas 102 was witnessed at the APEX again. The star players were absent in terms of the card, but they made up for it by showing some spectacular matches that included some amazing knockouts and probably the most hardcore grappling ever seen on a UFC network. Whether it was the legendary players giving thrillers or the new kids on the block making strong statements, the event was a success overall.
Here is a quick look at the most exciting highlights, the victors of bonuses, and the results of UFC Vegas 102.
UFC Vegas 102 Bonus Winners
Jared Cannonier – Still a Force at 40
Jared “The Killa Gorilla” Cannonier demonstrated that age is just a number. After having a tough match with Gregory Rodrigues in the beginning, Cannonier later, in Round 3, landed a devastating elbow that put the opponent in trouble. The blow that was delivered to Rodrigues left him shaky, and in Round 4, Cannonier started to attack, and as a result of all these, TKO was awarded. The middleweight dude now in his forties, who punched his way back into the division’s elite by his unflagging power and stamina, has confirmed that he remains a part of them.
Edmen Shahbazyan – The Golden Boy Shines Again
E. Shahbazyan had a statement to make on his outing on the UFC night, and he should be feeling so fulfilled by the fact that it did come out as he watched it electrify each and every entertainment enthusiast around the world. He completed the arrival of the 27-year-old with a justice inciting move with a perfectly timed counter-right hand which finished Dylan Budka only 1:35 into Round 1. A couple of punches landed and the fight was temporarily halted through the intervention of the referee. Shahbazyan aced in his display as his recent fits and starts were a thing of the past and his brilliant $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus was a well-deserved one.
Gabriel Bonfim – Submission Masterclass
Gabriel Bonfim, a Brazilian submission expert, has another success on his record by sending Khaos Williams to sleep for several hours after the competition was over, by a brabo choke at 4:58 of Round 2. This win turned out to be the first time Williams was ever knocked out in his career, so it was another solid proof that Bonfim is a real threat in the welterweight division. His abilities and artwork on the mat earned Gabriel a $50,000 Performance of the UFC Night bonus.
Main Card Results and Breakdown
Jared Cannonier def. Gregory Rodrigues via fourth-round TKO
Rodrigues started strong and put a lot of pressure on Cannonier to stay on the counter. However, Cannonier adapted in round 2, and with his effective counterstrikes, discovered the flow. The moment of decision was in round 3, when Cannonier landed a very violent elbow, nearly knocking down Rodrigues. In the 4th round, Cannonier was on the rampage and the referee had to stop the fight, as a merciless flurry made the opponent bleed. A grandmaster class exhibition from “The Killa Gorilla.”
Youssef Zalal def. Calvin Kattar via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
The difference-makers in the bout between Zalal and a sturdy Calvin Kattar were the former’s striking and movement. The Moroccan fighter got Kattar into a state of frustration by using vacillating mimics and perfect jabs, which ultimately caused him to chase for three rounds. Kattar, in turn, had his say in the final round by landing several heavy shots, but Zalal’s acumen and poise still got him a well-earned decision win.
Edmen Shahbazyan def. Dylan Budka via first-round KO
Shahbazyan’s incredible return to stardom was a leap of faith thanks to an extraordinary knockout victory over Budka in UFC. Shahbazyan was able to show his skill and win the fight by using his patience and the weapon of precise and powerful right hand which stopped Budka’s forward pressure, so the lights just turned off when the clear right was thrown.
Nazim Sadykhov def. Ismael Bonfim via second-round TKO
The fast-ending reminded everyone why some people had once considered him to be a future champion. Sadykhov was using his striking as his best weapon as he literally dismembered Bonfim with his precise hits. He made a perfect front kick to Bonfim in Round 2 which was the top, just cutting him up to be repaired with the doctor coming in, and thus giving Sadykhov the TKO win.
Andre Petroski def. Rodolfo Vieira via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Petroski versus Vieira was more of a chess match that saw both of them having their moments. Vieira dominated the 2nd Round with ferocious strikes, but Petroski’s wrestling and late-round onslaught was what brought him. And immediately after that, he also challenged, Bo Nickal, for yet another demanding fight.
Preliminary Card Results and Highlights
Jose Delgado def. Connor Matthews via first-round TKO
Delgado had an outstanding debut at the UFC and he first caused Matthews to wobble with a spinning backfist before knocking him out with a big right cross. The fast and brutal ending evoked positive emotions in people.
Angela Hill def. Ketlen Souza via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
A seasoned Angela Hill managed to win through her expertise, barely beating out Souza in an intense fight. By means of properly used takedowns and precise striking, Hill barely managed to make a split decision in a very high-paced fight.
Rafael Estevam def. Jesus Aguilar via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Estevam overwhelmed Aguilar with his persistent grappling and thus, was in control of the fight all the way from start to finish. Despite some last-ditch efforts from Aguilar to turn the tide, Estevam’s ground game that was way better than Aguilar’s secured a clear decision victory.
Gabriel Bonfim def. Khaos Williams via submission (brabo choke, Round 2, 4:58)
Bonfim displayed his superb grappling prowess when he put Williams in a tight brabo choke that rendered him unconscious. It was a big victory against a rival known for his toughness.
Elijah Smith def. Vince Morales via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Smith and Morales fought in a bloody battle and Morales in the second round scored a fierce takedown. However, Smith`s striking and the third round which he dominated sealed the unanimous decision victory.
Valter Walker def. Don’Tale Mayes via submission (heel hook, Round 1, 1:17)
Walker did not waste time in trying to end the fight, and he immediately got Mayes to tap out with a heel hook in around a minute. A very aggressive and effective win due to a submission.
Jacqueline Cavalcanti def. Julia Avila via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
In the second round, Cavalcanti was the clearer and the faster of the two artists. Her fight with Avila was exceptional a series of precise counter-punches and a professional takedown that eventually gave her the win means of a majority decision. As resilient as Avila might be, interpret with respect to the idea of the passage and the passage that she had, it was Cavalcanti.
Despite the lack of high-profile fights, UFC Vegas 102 was a complete event. The viewers were on the edge of their seats the whole time, with head-turning knockouts, mind-blowing submissions, and hard-fought battles among the picks. Jared Cannonier proved that he is still a force to be reckoned with in the middleweight division, Edmen Shahbazyan rekindled his career with a breathtaking KO, and Gabriel Bonfim showed the world why he is a young star of the welterweight passing.
As the fighters called out new challengers and the careers of some being revived, UFC Vegas 102 formed a new interesting directions for upcoming matches. The UFC Apex is still the stage of the best fighters, and this time, it also showed itself as another proof of the sport’s pure thrill.
Sachin Singh 
REDDAVENI SAISNEHA 
Ashvinkumar Patil