UFC Vegas 102 First Look: Cannonier vs. Rodrigues Betting Picks, Odds & Predictions
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David Manyun
- February 11, 2025
UFC Pick: Gregory Rodrigues ML (-200) at Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports Review)
With Dana White’s return to the UFC Apex in Nevada, top contending middleweight competitors will exchange leather for the evening’s main event, and we’re covering all your betting needs with insights from top-rated sportsbooks.
Long-time main eventer Jared Cannonier will test his heavy hands against a well-rounded Brazilian finisher, Gregory Rodrigues.
Read on for our complete betting guide with an early preview of the UFC Vegas 102 main event clash between Cannonier and Rodrigues, including updated UFC odds and our free, expert UFC first-look betting picks, predictions, and analysis.
Jared Cannonier vs. Gregory Rodrigues
UFC Vegas 102 Middleweight Main Event Bout
UFC Vegas 102 Information
- When: Saturday, February 15, 2025 – 04:00 PM ET
- Where: UFC Apex, Las Vegas
- Scheduled Bouts: 12
- Main Event: Jared Cannonier vs. Gregory Rodrigues
- Where to Watch: UFC Fight Pass & ESPN+
UFC Vegas 102 Main Event Profiles
Jared “The Killa Gorilla” Cannonier
UFC Fight Nights and Jared Cannonier are taking the main event position, and no matter how bad his recent outings might seem, they have become a regular occurrence in the promotion’s matchmaking. And to be honest, with career wins that include Anderson Silva, Kelvin Gastelum, Sean Strickland, and Marvin Vettori, it makes sense to a certain extent.
However, in brutal honesty, how much does Jared Cannonier have left? And could we be reaching the point of his career where the UFC is using his name, which is relatively known, as a stepping stone for other middleweights they’re attempting to propel up the rankings?
Well, considering Cannonier is returning from back-to-back losses versus up-and-coming 185lb stars in Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho, there isn’t much reason to place him in a main event outside of the aforementioned reasoning above.
The ‘Killa Gorilla’ will always be remembered for his impressive 7-2 run between 2018 and 2023, but in recent times, the 40-year-old middleweight has undeniably shown his age compared to the generation of fighters in his division.
Cannonier Best Moneyline Odds: (+181) at BetOnline
Gregory “Robocop” Rodrigues
Since his UFC debut just three years ago in 2021, Gregory Rodrigues, better known as ‘Robocop,’ has certainly lived up to the moniker as his steel-like amour has guided him to collecting a 7-2 record, with one of those two defeats resulting in an incredibly close split decision.
Do I envision Robocop as a future title holder? Not so much. However, at 32 years old, it’s arguable that he’s coming into his prime, and the three-fight win streak he’s collected since August 2023 also supports this case.
What’s most impressive about Rodrigues is his desire to finish opponents, and the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt he owns but opts to neglect in favor of his newfound love striking. During most fights, Rodrigues has held a significant grappling edge over his opponents, but instead of grappling, he’s head-hunted with his fists, and a 71% KO rate would suggest he wasn’t wrong in doing so.
Robocop will enter the Apex this weekend as the fighter with less experience versus elite competition. That said, his career trajectory is opposite to that of Cannonier. With his size, momentum, and advantage in finishing the fight, it’s easy to see why the top sportsbooks have placed him as a betting favorite.
Rodrigues Best Moneyline Odds: (-200) at Heritage Sports
UFC Vegas 102: Tale of the Tape
UFC Vegas 102 Skillset Analysis: Styles Make Fights
The knockout potential of Cannonier that we used to know and love has seemingly been non-existent of late. Not since 2022, versus a chinny Derek Brunson, has the MMA Lab representative found a KO/TKO finish, and more to the point, said finish has been his only stoppage win since 2019.
Now, this shouldn’t lead bettors to believe Cannonier isn’t skillful. At boxing range, despite his frame being slightly smaller than most middleweights, he has an excellent jab, octagon awareness, and, for the most part, a solid takedown defense.
The problem I have is Cannonier’s ability to handle the violent onslaught which Rodrigues threatens the majority of his opponents with. Cannonier’s recent bouts, win or lose, has presented opponents who are willing to remain calm and exchange in technical battles.
Robocop is dangerous on the feet, and on the ground, and should we see him engage in those pitter-patter exchanges he’s done in recent fights, I can easily envision the Brazilian finding confidence and rushing through Cannonier’s offense to create chaos and do what he does best… finish opponents violently!
Rodrigues Moneyline: The UFC Vegas 102 Best Bet Formula
The available UFC odds at Bookmakers Review have placed Rodrigues, and rightfully so. Cannonier used to be dangerous, but Robocop has always been and still is! He also owns the more diverse offense and can ultimately win this fight wherever it may take place.
UFC Pick: Gregory Rodrigues ML (-200) [2u to win 1u] at Heritage Sports
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
