We're back in the U.S. for another UFC Fight Night at the Las Vegas Apex, featuring a lineup of exciting matchups between rising talents and their first top-10 opponents. Headlining the event are two tough Middleweights, Jared Cannonier and Gregory Rodrigues, both looking to make their mark. While this card may not feature the biggest names, it’s packed with intriguing matchups and a few fights that are sure to deliver non-stop action. Be sure to tune in early this weekend, with the Prelims kicking off at 4 PM EST and the Main Card starting at 7 PM EST.

Main Card

#7 Jared Cannonier vs Gregory Rodrigues
Middleweight Bout - 185 lbs

In the main event, Jared Cannonier faces off against Gregory Rodrigues in what promises to be an explosive matchup. Cannonier, a long-time staple in the Middleweight division, has consistently been a top contender, with notable wins over fighters like Sean Strickland and Marvin Vettori. Despite being 40 years old, he still competes at a high level, showcasing solid stand-up and a relentless competitive spirit in every fight. Rodrigues, a BJJ black belt with heavy hands, has primarily kept his fights standing but has recently demonstrated strong ground control. In his first main event Rodrigues is now looking to break into the top 10 and make a title run, with a victory over the seasoned Cannonier marking a major step forward in his career.

📺️ Cannonier & Rodrigues Finishes

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#10 Calvin Kattar vs Youssef Zalal
Featherweight Bout - 145 lbs

Calvin Kattar is a seasoned UFC veteran with exceptional boxing skills. His tight technique, speed, and accuracy have resulted in 10 finishes on the feet. After a tough stretch with three consecutive losses, Kattar now finds himself tested as the gatekeeper to the Featherweight top 10. Youssef Zalal, on the other hand, embodies a true redemption story. After being released from the UFC in 2022, he worked his way back to the organization, stringing together three straight finish victories. Zalal is an aggressive grappler who quickly shoots for takedowns and relentlessly hunts for submissions. He’ll look to exploit Kattar’s vulnerabilities in takedown defense as he aims to break into the top 10.

📺️ Kattar Step In Elbow KO
📺️ Zalal On The Jaxxon Podcast

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Edmen Shahbazyan vs Dylan Budka
Middleweight Bout - 185 lbs

Edmen Shahbazyan entered the UFC with a ton of promise, showcasing high-level striking, but he’s struggled to maintain consistency in recent fights. His kicking game is exceptional, but it also leaves him vulnerable to takedowns, especially when facing a skilled wrestler. While he typically controls the action on the feet, his momentum can shift quickly if he’s taken down. Dylan Budka, a strong wrestler, is still seeking his first UFC victory in his third fight. A former Division 1 wrestler, Budka may be a big underdog this week but his skills do line up well to upset Shahbazyan.

📺️ Shahbazyan KO
📺️ Budka vs Cummins

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Ismael Bonfim vs Nazim Sadykhov
Lightweight Bout - 155 lbs

Ismael Bonfim, one half of the Bonfim Brothers on this card, is an exciting and aggressive fighter with plenty of power. His boxing and BJJ are top-notch, though he often opts for an entertaining finish over a technical approach. Nazim Sadykov, a skilled and precise kickboxer, combines speed and power with a high-level technical striking game. His last loss came back in 2018, but every fight has been closely contested, showcasing his toughness and ability to prevail late. This is one of the most intriguing matchups on the card and promises to deliver plenty of action.

📺️ Bonfim Flying Knee
📺️ Sadykhov Highlights

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Rodolfo Viera vs Andre Petroski
Middleweight Bout - 185 lbs

Rodolfo Vieira vs. Andre Petroski is a clash between a grappler and a wrestler. Vieira is a BJJ world champion who relies on his athleticism to secure dominant positions. Petroski, a fast and powerful wrestler, uses heavy punches to set up his takedowns, where he controls his opponents well on the ground. However, Petroski is perhaps most remembered for a surprising self-knockout after attempting a powerful takedown in one of his previous fights.

📺️ Vieira BJJ Highlights
📺️ Petroski UFC Debut

Prelims

Connor Matthews vs Jose Delgado
Featherweight Bout - 145 lbs

Connor Matthews will face UFC newcomer Jose Delgado in what promises to be an exciting matchup. Delgado is a rangy striker who isn’t afraid to mix it up in the pocket, while Matthews is known for his high-volume striking, though his defense could be a weakness. Both fighters are well-rounded, but they thrive on the feet, making this an engaging stand-up battle. Unless one of them is able to establish control on the ground, fans can expect a gritty, action-packed fight.

📺️ The Matthews Story
📺️ Delgado Earns His UFC Contract

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#13 Angela Hill vs Ketlen Souza
Strawweight Bout - 115 lbs

Angela Hill is a strategic fighter known for her intelligence inside the cage, using her speed and superior distance management to dictate the pace. She often tailors her gameplans to exploit her opponent’s weaknesses rather than leaning too heavily on her own strengths, a true veteran approach. Across from her is Ketlen Souza, a fighter with a completely different style. Souza is a high-intensity, pressure-based fighter who relies on heavy strikes and relentless aggression to overwhelm her opponents. This matchup is likely to be a clash of styles—Hill’s technical activity versus Souza’s powerful, nonstop pressure.

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Rafael Estevam vs Jesus Aguilar
Flyweight Bout - 125 lbs

Rafael Estevam is an undefeated UFC newcomer coming off an impressive victory over Charles Johnson. Estevam is known for his relentless pressure and powerful strikes that help him close the distance quickly. Once on the ground, he excels with strong ground and pound while always looking for submission opportunities. He will be facing Jesus Aguilar, a skilled grappler in his own right. On the feet, Aguilar showcases impressive combination striking, but it's his expertise in the Guillotine choke that has led to most of his victories.

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Gabriel Bonfim vs Khaos Williams
Welterweight Bout - 170 lbs

Gabriel Bonfim, the other half of the Bonfim Brothers, is making his mark on this card alongside his brother. After experiencing his first-ever career decision in his most recent fight, Bonfim will face Khaos Williams, who is coming off a devastating first-round knockout. Bonfim is a skilled striker with high-level boxing and a well-rounded game, including strong Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He starts with his striking but isn’t afraid to take the fight to the ground for a more tactical approach when necessary. On the other hand, Khaos Williams is a highlight-reel fighter known for his aggressive style, relentless pressure, and powerful hands, with six of his seven KO victories coming in the first round, often set up by brutal low kicks.

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Vince Morales vs Elijah Smith
Bantamweight Bout - 135 lbs

Vince Morales is making his second run in the UFC, facing debutant Elijah Smith. Morales is a solid striker who thrives on his volume and constant activity, though his power is notable. However, his tendency to chase knockouts can sometimes leave him vulnerable and out of position. Smith, on the other hand, is a skilled grappler with quick feet. Once the fight hits the ground, he’s relentless, working to keep it there with consistent takedowns, even if his opponent manages to stand up. This matchup will serve as an intriguing showcase to gauge Smith's skill level against a tough, experienced veteran.

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#15 Don’Tale Mayes vs Valter Walker
Heavyweight Bout - 265 lbs

Valter Walker entered the UFC with a lot of anticipation, given that he's the brother of Johnny Walker. However, in his debut, he came in unprepared and suffered a disappointing loss. In his second UFC appearance, he returned in better shape and quickly secured a submission finish. It will be interesting to see how he performs this week. His opponent, Don'Tale Mayes, is a powerful striker who constantly hunts for the knockout. While he’s been vulnerable to takedowns in the past and struggles to get back up, he remains a serious threat on the feet, especially if Walker can't get the fight to the ground.

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#12 Julia Avila vs #13 Jacqueline Cavalcanti
Bantamweight Bout - 135 lbs

Julia Avila is an aggressive, heavy-handed brawler who brings plenty of excitement on the feet. Though she may be a relatively unfamiliar name to many UFC fans, she’s been around for a while, albeit with periods of inactivity due to canceled fights. Her opponent, Cavalcanti, is a versatile striker with excellent footwork, using her range to control the distance. She’s effective with leg kicks to disrupt her opponents, and she excels when moving forward. After a string of split decision fights, Cavalcanti needs a strong performance here to prove her UFC potential.

Enjoy the Fights!