UFC Vegas 102 Gambling Preview: Will Gregory Rodrigues beat Jared Cannonier and crack the Top 10?

Following UFC 312 this previous weekend, the UFC heads again to its most well-liked stomping grounds in Las Vegas for UFC Vegas 102. Headlined by a middleweight matchup between Jared Cannonier and Gregory Rodrigues, the cardboard options ample alternative to make some wagers, so let’s dive in.

All odds are courtesy of our pals at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Single Performs

Gregory Rodrigues (-230)

I needed to place some cash down on Rodrigues by submission, however FanDuel doesn’t have prop bets for this one (speaks to the standard of the APEX), so as a substitute, I’m content material to simply play Rodrigues straight up. Cannonier turns 41 subsequent month, and he’s bought plenty of miles on him. If “Robocop” comes out and brawls, then Cannonier has an opportunity, however even then Rodrigues has a adequate chin and energy to win that. And if he fights sensible and makes use of his takedowns and grappling, Rodrigues ought to stroll to a win right here.

Calvin Kattar (+350)

Kattar takes on Youssef Zalal within the co-main occasion and it’s a make-or-break combat for the Bostonian. Kattar is on a three-fight skid and has misplaced 4 of his previous 5 — granted, that’s all come towards prime opposition, however nonetheless. Sooner or later, the losses are too many to beat. If Kattar drops this one, he’s on the best way out.

And that’s partly why I like his possibilities. Zalal has a sensational 2024, however it is a huge leap up in competitors, and the final time he jumped up in competitors like this, Zalal washed out of the UFC. Kattar is the superior boxer of the 2 and if he can present higher takedown protection than he did towards Aljamain Sterling, it is a coin flip combat.

Ketlen Souza (-110)

Souza takes on Angela Hill within the closing prelim combat, and identical to in the primary occasion, I’m fading the outdated veteran with plenty of miles. Hill simply turned 40, and she or he has probably the most combat time in girls’s strawweight historical past. That’s not superb. Souza, then again, is 29, on a two-fight profitable streak, and has seemed distinctive since dropping all the way down to 115. She needs to be a transparent betting favourite, so there’s worth right here.

Elijah Smith (-150)

Smith makes his UFC debut towards Vince Morales in a prelim bantamweight bout, and whereas it’s a tall activity to again a debuting fighter, Smith is price it. Smith was top-of-the-line prospects to return off the latest season of Contender Collection, and the one actual challenge for him at this stage is improvement. Smith is simply 22 years outdated and desires plenty of work. Actually, he’d in all probability be higher served not preventing within the UFC so he can compete 5-6 instances a 12 months, however as a substitute, he’s right here, and he’s getting a veteran immediately. I gained’t be shocked if he loses, however the gulf in athleticism on this combat is main, and Smith has the uncooked instruments to win early in his UFC run anyway.

Picture by Amy Kaplan/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photos

Parlay

As you recognize by now, there’s nothing I really like greater than a gimmick parlay, and there have been two out there, however for the reason that “Jared Parlay” is now not an choice with Jared Gordon’s combat falling off the cardboard, that leaves the extraordinarily apparent Bonfim Bros Parlay.

Ismael Bonfim takes on Nazim Sadykhov in a foremost card light-weight bout, whereas Gabriel Bonfim takes on Khaos Williams in a prelim welterweight bout. Each are slight favorites with massive checks in entrance of them, however I like their superior, well-rounded video games to hold them each to victory.

Parlay these two bets collectively for +114 odds.

Wrap Up

It was a shedding week for us final week. It’s been a tough begin to 2025. Hopefully, we flip issues round by heading again to the APEX. Within the absence of prop choices, we went for a very good chunk of straight bets, so perhaps that’ll work out for us.

Till subsequent week, benefit from the fights, good luck, and gamble responsibly!

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