Preview: UFC Vegas 102 ‘Cannonier vs. Rodrigues’

Featherweights

Jose Delgado (8-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Connor Matthews (7-2, 0-1 UFC)

ODDS: Delgado (-290), Matthews (+235)

Delgado excelled on the most recent edition of Dana White’s Contender Series, stepping in on late notice for a one-sided win that ended in a knockout. That performance lived up to the regional footage on Delgado, who has impressed as a dogged fighter willing to throw down and reel off combinations in an attempt to hunt for the finish. There’s still some long-term concern for Delgado, who might start eating shots he can’t come back from, but it’s unclear if that will happen against Matthews.

A two-time DWCS alum, Matthews got the most impressive win of his career to earn a contract in 2023, showing off a solid pressure game. However, his UFC debut loss to Dennis Buzukja last year affirmed that Matthews doesn’t particularly look like a UFC-level athlete, as he mostly got outmaneuvered ahead of a third-round knockout. Matthews could survive a dogfight and make some things happen on the ground, but it appears likeliest that the UFC newcomer will overwhelm him. The pick is Delgado via first-round knockout.

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Cannonier vs. Rodrigues
Zalal vs. Kattar
Shahbazyan vs. Budka
Bonfim vs. Sadykhov
Vieira vs. Petroski
Delgado vs. Matthews
The Prelims