UFC Fight Night 251 results: Jared Cannonier pulls off comeback, TKOs Gregory Rodrigues

Jared Cannonier proved once again Saturday why he’s been at the top of the middleweight division for so long.

In the UFC Fight Night 251 main event, Cannonier (18-8 MMA, 11-8 UFC) battled and overcame early adversity as he finished Gregory Rodrigues (16-6 MMA, 7-3 UFC) with strikes at 0:21 of Round 4. The bout took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Early in Round 1, things looked increasingly grim for Cannonier, who was dropped by the hulking Rodrigues’ aggressive attack. Even shots that didn’t drop Cannonier seemed to connect square. But Cannonier displayed his signature heart and chin to persevere.

After a competitive Round 2, Cannonier really started to swing the momentum late in Round 3. He dropped Cannonier and pounded away with big shots as the Brazilian bled all over the place from his face.

Whether it was tiredness or damage, Rodrigues staggered to his feet between rounds. Immediately in Round 4, Cannonier found success with his strikes. He dropped Rodrigues again and this time finished him off.

CANNONIER KNOCKS OUT RODRIGUES IN ROUND FOUR #UFCVegas102 pic.twitter.com/xxbwDClJuR

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) February 16, 2025

With the win, Cannonier, 40, snaps a two-fight skid that was comprised of losses to Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho.

Rodrigues, 32, has a three-fight winning streak snapped. The streak consisted of victories over Denis Tiuliulin, Brad Tavares, and Christian Leroy Duncan.

Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 251 results include:

• Jared Cannonier def. Gregory Rodrigues via TKO (punches) – Round 4, 0:21
• Youssef Zalal def. Calvin Kattar via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Edmen Shahbazyan def. Dylan Budka via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:35
• Nazim Sadykhov def. Ismael Bonfim via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) – Round 1, 5:00
• Andre Petroski def. Rodolfo Vieira via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Jose Delgado def. Connor Matthews via knockout (elbows) – Round 1, 2:58
• Angela Hill def. Ketlen Souza via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Rafael Estevam def. Jesus Aguilar via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Gabriel Bonfim def. Khaos Williams via technical submission (D’Arce choke) – Round 2, 4:58
• Elijah Smith def. Vince Morales via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Valter Walker def. Don’Tale Mayes via submission (heel hook) – Round 1, 1:17
• Jacqueline Cavalcanti def. Julia Avila via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 251.