Jared Cannonier proved once again that you can never count him out. At age 40, the former middleweight title challenger wasn’t just fighting Gregory Rodrigues, he was fighting ‘Father Time’. With 2 losses in his last four fights, the whispers of decline had begun. But in true warrior fashion, ‘Tha Killa Gorilla’ had other plans.

Standing across from him was Rodrigues, a younger, unranked powerhouse hungry to break into the middleweight elite. ‘Robocop’ had momentum on his side, riding a three-fight win streak, and he wasn’t here to play nice! Yet, as the fight played out, the outcome left welterweight champion and Team Khabib’s Belal Muhammad with a reaction that said it all.

Jared Cannonier leaves the UFC world and Team Khabib in awe with his comeback at UFC Vegas 102

In a fight that had fans on the edge of their seats, the former title challenger weathered an early storm from Gregory Rodrigues before flipping the script in dramatic fashion.

Rodrigues came out swinging, dropping Cannonier twice and making the Apex hold its breath. It was enough for Muhammad to compare him to the iconic boxer portrayed by Dolph Lundgren, “Gregory reminds me of Drago,” he tweeted, impressed by ‘Robocop’s power and precision.

But the fight was far from over. Cannonier, ever the veteran, refused to go away. He clawed his way back, surviving the onslaught and finding moments to turn the tide. As the war raged on, Muhammad noticed Rodrigues slowing down. “Robocop got a second wind,” he posted, acknowledging the grit both fighters were displaying.

Then came the turning point. With seconds left in round three, Cannonier landed a brutal elbow that sent the Brazilian crashing down to the mat. The momentum had shifted.

Round four was a blink-and-you-miss-it masterpiece. Cannonier wasted no time, storming forward and finishing Rodrigues with a relentless barrage in just 21 seconds. Muhammad, like the rest of the MMA world, was left in awe as he posted, “Wow, what a comeback. He still got it.”

The veteran had endured the storm, bided his time, and then flipped the script in devastating fashion. Muhammad’s final words echoed the sentiment of fight fans everywhere, this was a win that proved Cannonier was far from done.  

The 40-year-old knockout artist showed that experience, resilience, and sheer grit could still trump youth and power. But what does this win mean for his future?

What’s next for ‘Tha Killa Gorilla’ after UFC Vegas 102?

With a ‘Fight of the Night’ bonus in his pocket and his ranking intact, Jared Cannonier proved his elite middleweight status at UFC Vegas 102. Where does he go from here? Well, for starters, this marked the end of his two-fight losing streak.

What’s even more impressive is the fact that since joining the UFC in 2015, Cannonier has never lost three fights in a row. That’s no small feat, especially considering he’s fought across three divisions, heavyweight, light heavyweight, and now middleweight.

A true warrior, he has taken on the best of the best, from Robert Whittaker to Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland. But at the moment, Khamzat Chimaev is reportedly next in line for a championship shot, leaving everyone else in a waiting game.

This win may not catapult Cannonier straight into title contention, but it keeps him relevant in a division filled with killers. With the right matchup, he could be one or two wins away from another run at gold. And if UFC Vegas 102 proved anything, it’s that underestimating ‘Tha Killa Gorilla’ is a mistake. Who should he face in his quest for another shot at UFC gold? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!