Bringing top-level mixed martial arts back to the world-famous UFC Apex in Las Vegas, UFC Fight Night 251 brings to the table a highly-anticipated middleweight clash between the venerable Jared Cannonier and the hard-punching Gregory Rodrigues. Before that, however, featherweight stalwarts Calvin Kattar and will battle for ranked supremacy in the co-main event.
Having not seen the win column in almost two years, along with turning 40 last year, Cannonier has found himself in dire straits since dropping his last two fights to Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho. In much the opposite fashion, Rodrigues has enjoyed a stellar three-fight winning streak, taking dominant performances over Denis Tiuliulin, Brad Tavares and Christian Leroy Duncan.
Once standing amongst the best of the featherweight division, Kattar now faces possible elimination from the 145-lb rankings entirely after dropping his past three fights in a row, meaning a win Saturday night is all but crucial. For the steaking Zalal, however, a victory against “The Boston Finisher” would mean not only the biggest feather in his cap but also a spot within the utmost elite at featherweight.
Here are the current betting odds for UFC Fight Night 251
Jose Delgado -290
Vs.
Connor Matthews +235
FEATHERWEIGHT
Rodolfo Vieira -245
Vs.
Andre Petroski +200
MIDDLEWEIGHT
Ismael Bonfim -198
Vs.
Nazim Sadykhov +164
LIGHTWEIGHT
Edmen Shahbazyan -335
Vs.
Dylan Budka +280
MIDDLEWEIGHT
Youssef Zalal -395
Vs.
Calvin Kattar +310
FEATHERWEIGHT
Gregory Rodrigues -218
Vs.
Jared Cannonier +180
MIDDLEWEIGHT
Predictions for the full card at UFC Fight Night 251
Main Card:
Rodrigues via third round TKO
Zala via unanimous decision
Shahbazyan via unanimous decision
Bonfim via unanimous decision
Vieira via second round submission
Delgado via second round knockout
Preliminary Card:
Hill via unanimous decision
Estevam via unanimous decision
Bonfim via unanimous decision
Morales via second round submission
Walker via third round submission
Cavalcanti via unanimous decision