Alright, so we got Jared Cannonier vs. Gregory "Robocop" Rodrigues lined up for UFC Fight Night 251, and I gotta say, this one's tricky. Both guys bring something different to the table, and the matchup could go either way. Let’s break it down.
Stats-wise, Cannonier UFC fans know he’s got a 196.8 cm reach, which is a big advantage over many middleweights. He’s also coming in at 40 years old, which might be a factor against a younger, explosive opponent. That being said, we’ve seen veterans like him still deliver brutal knockouts.
At 32 years old, Rodrigues has the youth advantage, plus he’s got a 1.91 m height edge over Cannonier’s 1.8 m. However, he’s slightly behind in reach (190.5 cm), which could play a role if Cannonier keeps the fight at distance.
What do you all think? Who’s got the edge?
Cannonier’s side of things
Jared Cannonier has been around the UFC block for a while, fighting across three weight classes (remember when Cannonier was a heavyweight?). Now, as a middleweight, he’s a powerful striker with some serious knockout power. His record stands at 17-8-0, and while he’s had some rough patches, he’s still a top-tier contender. The man doesn’t back down.Stats-wise, Cannonier UFC fans know he’s got a 196.8 cm reach, which is a big advantage over many middleweights. He’s also coming in at 40 years old, which might be a factor against a younger, explosive opponent. That being said, we’ve seen veterans like him still deliver brutal knockouts.
Rodrigues’ chances
On the other side, we have Gregory Rodrigues (aka "Robocop"), a talented and dangerous middleweight with a 16-5-0 record. If you watched the Brad Tavares vs. Gregory Rodrigues fight, you know the guy can take a punch and keep coming forward. Plus, his last fight against Christian Leroy Duncan vs. Gregory Rodrigues showed he’s got solid technique and can mix up striking with grappling.At 32 years old, Rodrigues has the youth advantage, plus he’s got a 1.91 m height edge over Cannonier’s 1.8 m. However, he’s slightly behind in reach (190.5 cm), which could play a role if Cannonier keeps the fight at distance.
Who wins?
I see this fight playing out in two main ways:- If Cannonier keeps the fight standing, using his reach and raw power, he could get a knockout. His striking is dangerous, and we’ve seen him put guys out cold.
- If Rodrigues manages to mix in some grappling and control the pace, he might wear Cannonier down and get a late-round finish or decision win.
What do you all think? Who’s got the edge?