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The UFC returned to the APEX in Las Vegas with a card full of great fights, and Jared Cannonier (18-8) put the icing on the cake by knocking out Gregory 'Robocop' Rodrigues (16-6), receiving the fight of the night award. 'The Killa Gorilla', ranked number seven in the middleweight division, caused a surprise after being on the verge of KO in the first round. Rodrigues came out with the mission to finish Cannonier quickly, emptying much of his energy tank in the opening minutes without success.
Despite the two knockdowns suffered by the former title contender, the second round began with a change of script due to 'Robocop's' poor cardio management, as he saw how little by little his opponent cut back the lost ground. Rodrigues found himself in the third, landing good combinations that damaged Cannonier, but an elbow at the end of the round spelled the beginning of the end for Gregory. Jared smelled blood, landed a great combination on the Brazilian and finished the fight by TKO at the beginning of the fourth round. At almost 41 years of age, 'The Killa Gorilla' continues to prove to be one of the most feared strikers in the company.
The other big winner of the night was Edmen Shahbazyan (14-5), who took home the performance of the night award after his first-round KO of Dylan Budka (7-5). Ronda Rousey's former training partner has thus returned to winning ways after a few years where he failed to live up to the expectations he earned from his UFC debut at the age of 21. Seven years later, 'Golden Boy' wants to make a name for himself in a talent-laden division.
Zalal continues to be unstoppable
Youssef Zalal (17-5-1) has once again shown that he is one of the featherweights in form at the moment. The Moroccan fighter took the opportunity of a lifetime, as he faced Calvin Kattar (23-9) in the co-main event. Although the American stopped Zalal's streak of six straight finishes, he ended up succumbing by unanimous decision as he was outclassed by his opponent's speed and footwork, Ilia Topuria's first opponent in the UFC. When Calvin wanted to react, it was already too late.
Elsewhere on the card, there were other names to watch out for, such as Valter Walker (13-1). Johnny Walker's brother submitted Don'Tale Mayes (11-8), making it two first-round finishes in a row in the heavyweight division. The other big star of the evening was Nazim Sadykhov (10-1-1), who with an impressive question mark kick forced the doctors to stop his fight against Ismael Bonfim (20-5), g the great moment of the night.
Other results:
-Jared Cannonier defeated Gregory Rodrigues via TKO (punches) - Round 4, 0:21
-Youssef Zalal def. Calvin Kattar via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Edmen Shahbazyan defeated Dylan Budka via TKO (punches) - Round 1, 1:35
-Nazim Sadykhov def. Ismael Bonfim via TKO (doctor stoppage) - Round 1, 5:00
-Andre Petroski def. Rodolfo Vieira via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
-Jose Delgado defeated Connor Matthews via KO (punches) - Round 1, 2:58
-Angela Hill def. Ketlen Souza via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
-Rafael Estevam def. Jesus Aguilar via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
-Gabriel Bonfim def. Khaos Williams via technical submission (D'Arce choke) - Round 2, 4:58
-Elijah Smith def. Vince Morales via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
-Valter Walker def. Don'Tale Mayes via submission (heel hook) - Round 1, 1:17
-Jacqueline Cavalcanti defeated Julia Avila via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)