UFC Fight Night 251: Cannonier vs. Rodrigues on February 15

LAS VEGAS, NV — The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to the UFC Apex for Fight Night 251 on February 15, 2025, featuring a thrilling middleweight main event between former title challenger Jared Cannonier and surging contender Gregory Rodrigues. The stakes are high for both fighters, as Cannonier seeks to snap a two-fight losing streak and Rodrigues aims for his fourth consecutive victory.

With a professional record of 17 wins and 8 losses, Cannonier, 41, will be fighting for redemption after recently suffering defeats to Caio Borralho and Nassourdine Imavov. His notable victory came against Marvin Vettori via decision, but the former top contender has struggled to find his footing lately. Cannonier will need to leverage his power and experience to avoid a third successive loss.

In contrast, Rodrigues holds a record of 16-5 and has seen significant success in recent bouts, winning five of his last six fights. The 32-year-old, known as “Robocop,” has showcased an impressive mix of striking and grappling, culminating in a knockout victory over Chidi Njokuani. This matchup will mark Rodrigues’ first five-round fight under the UFC umbrella, amplifying the importance of capitalizing on this opportunity.

The co-main event features a crucial featherweight bout between Calvin Kattar and Youssef Zalal. Kattar, sporting a 23-8 record, is in dire need of a win after suffering three consecutive defeats. Conversely, Zalal (16-5-1) has found renewed success in the UFC, registering three submission victories since returning to the organization.

Also on the main card, middleweight fighters Edmen Shahbazyan (13-5) and Dylan Budka (7-4) are set to clash, alongside lightweight competitors Nazim Sadykhov (9-1-1) and Ismael Bonfim (20-4). The matchup between Rodolfo Vieira (10-2) and Andre Petroski (12-3) is particularly noteworthy, with both fighters looking to secure a decisive win to bolster their standings in the middleweight division.

The complete main card lineup includes:

• Jared Cannonier vs. Gregory Rodrigues
• Calvin Kattar vs. Youssef Zalal
• Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Dylan Budka
• Ismael Bonfim vs. Nazim Sadykhov
• Rodolfo Vieira vs. Andre Petroski

The event kicks off on ESPN+ at 4 p.m. ET, with preliminary bouts starting at 3 p.m. ET. Commentary and analysis will be provided across various platforms, including MMA Junkie and ESPN. Fans can expect an electrifying night of fights as fighters look to stake their claims in the ever-competitive UFC landscape.