Jared Cannonier pulled off an amazing victory.
Cannonier seemed to be on his way to another loss in the first three rounds as Gregory Rodrigues’ gameplan was working to perfection. However, the UFC veteran never gave up and reminded fans who he is with a thrilling combo that resulted in a round four knockout. This shattered Cannonier’s losing streak and boosted his record to 18 wins. Gregory Rodrigues' momentum came to a screeching halt as he suffered his first loss since 2023.
Cannonier was fired up in the media scrum and pushed back against being labeled a gatekeeper.
“When I was doing all these interviews, the way I was answering the questions it sounded as if I was a gatekeeper. Because you guys kept saying ‘you’re fighting this up and comer, you’re fighting a second up and comer, you’re fighting another up and comer.’ Doesn’t that sound like ‘hey, you’re a gatekeeper’?”
But Cannonier didn’t dwell on that as he promises to continue rising in the rankings in order to get a title fight.
“If you were to look at the rankings, I would like a ranked opponent for sure,” Cannonier said. “I think I’m definitely going to get a ranked opponent after that victory. I would like somebody ranked higher than me. Unfortunately, all the people ranked higher than me are either in line to get a title shot or [they] are going to wait for a title shot or just beat me. But I’m not going rule anything out. If they say ‘hey Jared, we need you to fight Dricus [du Plessis] next for the belt.’ I’m like hell yes, I’m ready.
“Absolutely with that being said, as long as I keep winning [I’m ready for those rematches].”
Calvin Kattar didn’t have the same luck unfortunately. Kattar came into his fight against Yousseff Zalal on a three-fight skid and that changed to four fights. Zalal couldn’t get the KO on the UFC veteran, but he picked him apart throughout the three rounds that gained him a unanimous decision victory. Zalal is now on a seven-fight winning streak, and though he gained the win on Saturday night, the featherweight wasn’t particularly happy about his performance.
“This is an OK performance, I’m better than this. I want to be a world champion and I will be a world champion. I feel like I just fought a legend. It’s an honor to share the cage with him.”
Check out the results of UFC Fight Night 251:
UFC Fight Night Main Card (ESPN+, 7:00 p.m. ET)
• Main Event: Jared Cannonier def. Gregory Rodrigues via TKO: R4, 0:21
• Co-Main Event: Youssef Zalal def. Calvin Katter via Unanimous Decision
Edmen Shahbazyan def. Dylan Budka via TKO: R1, 1:35
• Nasim Sadykhov def. Ismael Bonfim via TKO (Doctor's Stoppage): R1, 5:00
• Andre Petroski def. Rodolfo Viera via Unanimous Decision
UFC Fight Night Preliminary Card (ESPN+, 4:00 p.m. ET)
• Jose Delgado def. Connor Matthews via KO: R1, 2:58
• Angela Hill def. Ketlen Souza via Split Decision
• Rafael Estevam def. Jesus Aguilar via Unanimous Decision
• Gabriel Bonfim def. Khaos Williams via Technical Submission (D'arce Choke): R2,4:58
• Elijah Smith def. Vince Morales via Unanimous Decision
• Valter Walker def. Don'Tale Mayes via Submission (Heel Hook): R1, 1:17
• Jacqueline Cavalcanti def. Julia Avila via Unanimous Decision