UFC Vegas102 has the potential to be a better card than UFC 312. The card has the perfect mix of previous contenders, up-and-comers, and exciting fighters we haven’t seen enough of yet.
The main event features previous title contender Jared Cannonier against rising star Gregory Rodrigues. Both guys are solid strikers with finishing power. If neither guy finds a finish, this one will be a war.
The co-main features one of the most underrated fighters in the UFC, Youssef Zalal. He gets long-time veteran and top-tier boxer, Calvin Kattar. This will be a solid test for Kattar who has proven to be a problem for most featherweights, while Zalal seems primed to hit the next level in the UFC.
Are there any big fights on UFC Vegas 102? Here’s a look at some of the best fights the card offers.
Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Dylan Budka
While this fight doesn’t scream top talent, Edmen Shahbazyan was a rushed prospect finding his footing at 27. He lost his last fight via submission to Gerald Meerschaert but started the fight well. He’s 2-5 in his previous seven fights but has an opportunity to right the ship.
Dylan Budka is on the hot seat. He’s 0-2 in the UFC after winning his Dana White Contender Series fight in 2023, and he missed weight in his last fight against Andre Petroski. He gets a tough test against Shahbazyan, and both guys need a massive win to stay on the good side of the UFC brass. Expect a war.
50
175% / €900
Ismael Bonfim vs. Nazim Sadykhov
Both Ismael Bonfim and Nazim Sadykhov were highly talked about prospects. While Bonfim has his run stunted by Benoit Saint-Denis, in 2023, he’s still put together a solid UFC career. He’s 2-1 with wins over Terrance McKinney and Vinc Pichel.
Sadykhov is in a similar spot after fighting to a draw against Viacheslav Borshchev in 2023 and taking 2024 off after both fighters he was scheduled to fight pulled out. To start 2025, he gets a tough test in Bonfim. Both guys are exciting strikers who look for the finish. The winner of this one will be high on the UFC’s list to throw in a big-name fight next time.
Rafael Estevam vs. Jesus Aguilar
The flyweight division rebirth is one of the best things to happen to the UFC. They’re fast, athletic, and getting better at finding exciting finishes. That should be no different in Rafael Estevam against Jesus Aguilar.
Aguilar was written off due to his size, but his heart and ground game have made him a real threat at 125, as long as he can make the weight. He’s 3-1 in the UFC after losing his debut to Tatsura Taira. Not too shabby. The same can be said for Estevam after his UFC debut win against Charles Johnson ages like fine wine. As long as both fighters make weight, this should be one of the most intriguing fights on the card.
Gabriel Bonfim vs. Khaos Williams
Shockingly, Gabriel Bonfim and Khaos Williams are on the prelims. Bonfim may not have the same resume as Williams but he’s improving with every fight. The Nicolas Dalby loss can’t be too criticized, given Dalby’s insane durability. It’s a learning process. Ange Loosa is a tricky fighter but tends to lose fights over three rounds. Bonfim is 3-1 in the UFC after an exciting finish on Dana White’s Contender Series.
Williams is in a similar spot with a 6-2 record and losses to only Randy Brown via split decision and Michel Pereira via unanimous decision. He has high-end power and an improving defensive ground game. If the fight stays standing, both fighters will look for the home run finish.
Vince Morales vs. Elijah Smith
This is a perfect matchup of veteran versus prospect. Morales is 3-6 in the UFC playing gatekeeper to a highly-touted prospect in Elijah Smith. Morales was on a much better run before losing to Taylor Lapilus last September. His UFC losses are against top-level fighters, making this a great test for Smith.
Smith is just 22 but has plenty of highlights to back up his skill. His Dana White Contender Series performance was impressive which got him a UFC contract.
This could be considered a showcase fight for Smith, but Morales is tough. This has all the makings of a tough battle for the younger fighter trying to make a name for himself. Morales will do everything in his power to stop the hype train. This matchup could end up being the most underrated fight on the card.
There were plenty of mixed emotions out of UFC 312, but UFC Vegas 102 should be an exciting card for fans to enjoy every fight. The main card and prelims present several fights where unknown fighters have every opportunity to increase their stock. That always makes competitive fights with exciting finishes.
Keep it locked to SlotsFighter.com for all your UFC analysis, breakdowns, and best bets!
400
150% / 600€
