At UFC Fight Night Cannonier vs Rodrigues, a pair of veteran underdogs turned back the clock and delivered vintage performances in the UFC’s Apex Center.

Jared Cannonier vs Gregory Rodriguez

In the namesake main event of the night, Jared the “Killa Gorilla” Cannonier took on Gregory “Robocop” Rodrigues, in a fight between two of the best nicknamed guys in the sport. Cannonier, a former title challenger on a two fight skid, is one of only 5 ranked fighters in the UFC over the age of 40. Cannonier opened the night as a sizeable underdog to Rodrigues, who is coming off of a 3 fight win streak … The narrative showed a younger surging fighter with a lot of size and power taking advantage of the older veteran, who worried a lot of folks after being KO’d twice in the last year. Cannonier proved the doubters wrong on Saturday night though, as he rallied to beat the favored Rodrigues.

“Robocop” started as expected, landing heavy power shots and dropping Cannonier twice in round one. Cannonier would start to rally in the second round, before landing a huge short elbow late in the 3rd that almost finished Rodrigues. By the 4th round, Rodrigues’s gas tank was spent, and the fighter who is used to three round fights found himself in deep waters with a man in Cannonier who has fought in 5 round main events in 7 of his last 8 contests. It was over even before round 4 started, and Cannonier had to land only a couple shots to put the big man flat on the canvass.

It was a huge win for the UFC veteran, who needed a get right win after falling to two up and coming prospects. Rodrigues will look to work on his cardio, as he is still a very capable and dangerous fighter in the division.

Angela Hill vs Ketlen Souza 

Jared Cannonier wasn’t the only athlete over 40 to notch a win on Saturday, as on the preliminary bouts of the night, Angela “Overkill” Hill defeated Ketlen Souza in a close split decision to get right after a loss to Tabitha Ricci last summer. This was her 18th professional win in the sport and she shows no signs of slowing down in the Strawweight division.

Hill landed a well-timed takedown in round one and dominated the clinch exchanges between the two fighters. Souza found some success in rounds 2 and 3 on the feet, landing a few solid spinning back kicks to the body. Hill gritted it out though, landing another takedown late in the third round that likely sealed it for the judges. This was considered a controversial split decision for Hill, but considering that prior to this bout she was 0-4 in split fights, we think she’s earned it.

After the fights, Hill gained praise from Jared Cannonier, who stated that she should “definitely make the Hall of Fame” for both her work as a fighter and an analyst.

Also on the card: 

• Youssef Zalal defeated Calvin Kattar in the co-main event via unanimous decision
• Edmen Shahbazyan defeated Dylan Budka via KO in round one
• Nazim Sadykhov defeated Ismale Bonfim via doctors stoppage
• Andre Petroski defeated Rodolfo Vieira via unanimous decision
• Jose Miguel Delgado defeated Connor Matthews via KO in round one of his UFC debut
• Rafael Estevam defeated Jesus Aguilar via unanimous decision
• Gabriel Bonfim defeated Khaos Williams via submission in round two
• Elijah Smith defeated Vince Morales via unanimous decision in his UFC debut
• Valter Walker defeated Don’Tale Mayes via submission in round one
• Jacqueline Cavalcanti defeated Julia Avila via unanimous decision

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