UFC Fight Night 251 is a day away. Tomorrow night, the UFC Apex in Enterprise, NV plays host to this weekend’s edition of UFC Fight Night. Inside the United States of America, you can watch the show, also titled UFC Vegas 102, on ESPN+ and/or Disney Plus through the Disney bundle.
Live coverage of the show begins at 4 pm ET/ 1 pm PT Saturday afternoon on the aforementioned streaming platforms with the prelims, followed at 7 pm ET/ 4 pm PT by the main card. After the official weigh-in was completed earlier Friday morning, 12 of the 13 scheduled fights are locked in for Saturday’s show.
A planned prelim between Jared Gordon (20-7, 1 NC MMA, 8-6, 1 NC UFC) and Mashrabjon Ruziboev (20-4-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) was scrapped during the weigh-ins after the latter was pulled from the bout due to medical issues. Gordon, however, made weight without issue.
UFC Fight Night 251: Main Event: Jared Cannonier vs. Gregory Rodrigues
Topping the bout order on Saturday evening at UFC Fight Night 251 is a contest at middleweight pairing No. 7 contender Jared Cannonier (17-8 MMA, 10-8 UFC) and Gregory Rodrigues (16-5 MMA, 7-2 UFC). “The Killa Gorilla” enters on a 2-3 clip in his last five fights and is in need of a victory over the weekend.
Oddsmakers, sports books, and online casinos like at BNB Casino have Cannonier as the favorite, however. He’s dropped two bouts in succession, including a unanimous decision at the hands of Canadian Caio Borralho (17-1, 1 NC MMA, 7-0 UFC) last time out in late August of last year.
Meanwhile, Rodrigues comes into UFC Fight Night 251 having posted a record of 4-1 in his last five fights and is currently on a three-fight winning streak dating back to August of 2023.
Back in July of 2024, he bested Christian Leroy Duncan (10-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) by unanimous decision after 15 minutes. With Cannonier reeling, a victory by Rodrigues might propel him into the rankings after Saturday night.
UFC Fight Night 251 Co-Main Event: Calvin Kattar vs. Youssef Zalal
Just prior to the main event of UFC Fight Night 251, the co-main event of the evening sees featherweight action take place between No. 10 contender Calvin Kattar (23-8 MMA, 7-6 UFC) and Youssef Zalal (16-5-1 MMA, 6-3-1 UFC). Kattar enters Saturday with a mark of 1-4 in his last five bouts inside the cage and is currently on a three-fight skid.
Back in April of last year, he dropped a unanimous decision at the hands of Aljamain Sterling (24-5 MMA, 16-5 UFC) in UFC 300 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Across the way, Zalal has posted a 5-0 record in his last five MMA bouts.
Most recently, he bested Jack Shore (17-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) with a second-round submission via rear-naked choke in the latter’s retirement bout on Nov. 2. Will Kattar continue his hot streak?
Here Are the Current Betting Odds for UFC Fight Night 251 (odds accurate as of Feb. 14)
Main Event: Jared Cannonier (+195) vs. Gregory Rodrigues (-235) Middleweight
Co-Main Event: Calvin Kattar (+380) vs. Youssef Zalal (-500) Featherweight
Edmen Shahbazyan (-360) vs. Dylan Budka (+280) Middleweight
Ismael Bonfim (-235) vs. Nazim Sadykhov (+195) Lightweight
Andre Petroski (+225) vs. Rodolfo Vieira (-275) Middleweight
Connor Matthews (+320) vs. Jose Delgado (-420) Featherweight
Predictions for UFC Fight Night 251
Main Card (7 pm ET/ 4 pm PT, ESPN+)
Main Event: Jared Cannonier by Second-Round TKO.
Co-Main Event: Calvin Kattar by Unanimous Decision.
Edmen Shahbazyan by First-Round Submission.
Muslim Sadykhov by Unanimous Decision.
Rodolfo Viera by Unanimous Decision.
Jose Delgado by First-Round Knockout.
Prelims: (4 pm ET/ 1 pm PT, ESPN+)
Featured Prelim: Angela Hill by Unanimous Decision.
Co-Featured Prelim: Rafael Estevam by First-Round TKO.
Gabriel Bonfim by Unanimous Decision.
Elijah Smith by First-Round KO.
Don’Tale Mayes by Second-Round TKO.
Jacqueline Cavalcanti by Unanimous Decision.