February has been a whirlwind month for the UFC. Fresh off the electrifying UFC 312, the action shifted back to Las Vegas, where the Apex played host to a thrilling middleweight showdown between Jared Cannonier and Gregory Rodrigues. With the former title challenger headlining the card, UFC Vegas 102 didn’t just deliver excitement—it may have reshaped the landscape for several fighters.

Cannonier entered the fight with his back against the wall after a rough 2024, suffering back-to-back losses to Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho. His future in the division seemed uncertain, but 2025 is already telling a different story. ‘Tha Killa Gorilla’ roared back in dominant fashion, securing a fourth-round TKO over Rodrigues and reminding everyone why he remains a dangerous contender at 185 pounds.

One of the more unexpected moments of the night came from commentator Paul Felder, who was caught on live television slamming his pen after Cannonier’s victory. The gesture sparked criticism from fans, with many questioning whether Felder had been rooting for the Brazilian.

However, the former UFC fighter quickly addressed the situation on social media. “To everyone saying I was “mad” when Jared won his main event…you are so so wrong. I have been one of his biggest fans. I have thrown my pen down after big finishes prob 100 times. I also DONT BET!! Morons. I literally said “that’s all she wrote.”

With this dominant victory, the 40-year-old has once again proven why he remains one of the best in the business. While he may be in the twilight of his career, fans are now eager to see him tested against a higher-ranked opponent. Cannonier entered the fight under immense pressure, coming off two consecutive losses, but he didn’t just secure the win—he delivered a statement performance that even caught the attention of welterweight champion Belal Muhammad.

Belal Muhammad has nothing but respect for Jared Cannonier after UFC Vegas 102

Jared Cannonier once again proved that counting him out is a mistake. At 40 years old, the former middleweight title challenger wasn’t just battling Gregory Rodrigues—he was defying time itself. With two losses in his last four outings, whispers of his decline were growing louder. But in classic ‘Tha Killa Gorilla’ fashion, Cannonier silenced the doubters with a statement performance, proving he’s far from finished.

Rodrigues came out swinging, dropping Cannonier twice and keeping the Apex crowd on edge. His raw power and sharp striking even caught the attention of welterweight contender Belal Muhammad, who couldn’t help but draw a cinematic comparison. “Gregory reminds me of Drago,” he tweeted, comparing the Brazilian to Rocky IV’s iconic and lethal antagonist, Ivan Drago.

But the fight was far from over. Cannonier, a battle-tested veteran, refused to back down. As the war raged into the later rounds, Muhammad took notice of a crucial shift in momentum. “Robocop got a second wind,” he tweeted, acknowledging the heart and resilience both men were displaying.

Then came round four—a lightning-fast spectacle. Cannonier stormed forward with purpose, unleashing a vicious flurry that put Rodrigues away in just 21 seconds. The sudden, emphatic finish left the MMA world buzzing, and Muhammad summed it up perfectly: “Wow, what a comeback. He still got it.”

With this stunning knockout, Cannonier once again showcased why experience, resilience, and sheer grit are defining traits in MMA. But what’s next for the veteran contender? Will he get another shot at a top-ranked opponent? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!