The UFC is all about giving fighters opportunities, and that’s especially the case when the promotion is looking for a replacement on short notice.
Mashrabjon Ruziboev will have his chance to make a splash on Saturday at the Apex in Las Vegas. Kauê Fernandes was scheduled to take on popular veteran Jared Gordon, but Fernandes withdrew.
The UFC wanted to keep the fight on the card and turned to Ruziboev, the brother of UFC welterweight Nursulton Ruziboev, to fill in. Mashrabjon is on a seven-fight win streak, though he hasn’t fought since October 2023.
The Uzbekistan native hasn’t lost a fight since December 2021, and during his streak, he’s proven to be a finisher. The 28-year-old lightweight has finished all but one of the opponents he’s faced during his win streak.
According to Sherdog, 16 of Ruziboev’s 19 pro victories have come by stoppage. Quite honestly, I’m fully expecting this fight to be one of Dana White’s “If You Don’t Know, Now You Know” picks for the event—if he even does that for Apex shows.
Gordon, 36, has only won one fight since August 2022, and that was a first-round KO of Mark Madsen in November 2023. Gordon seems to have love and respect in the UFC, but quite honestly, he might be on the cusp of retirement or release.
A loss could be devastating for his career. On paper, it looks like a fight Ruziboev should win, but he hasn’t faced the same level of competition that Gordon has endured through his 18-year MMA career.
While Ruziboev and Gordon aren’t the biggest names, these kinds of stories are sometimes as appealing as the ones that play out at the top of pay-per-view cards.
The upcoming card has a few intriguing fights besides the headliner, which will feature Jared Cannonier fighting to keep his spot in the UFC middleweight Top 10 against Gregory Rodrigues.
There are 13 fights, and at least five relatively new commodities in action who are definitely worth a look. The Bonfim brothers, Ismael and Gabriel, are both stellar fighters.
Elijah Smith was one of the best prospects to emerge from the most recent season of Dana White’s Contender Series. Jacqueline Cavalcanti is newly ranked and looking to make a statement against veteran Julia Avila.
Also, Jose Delgado wants to make a splash in his featherweight clash with Connor Matthews. Don’t let the lack of big names fool you—Saturday’s card could be special.
UFC Vegas 102 – Fight Card
- No. 7 – Jared Cannonier vs. Gregory Rodrigues – Middleweight (185 lbs)
- No. 12 – Calvin Kattar vs. Youssef Zalal – Featherweight (145 lbs)
- Ismael Bonfim vs. Nazim Sadykhov – Lightweight (155 lbs)
- Jose Delgado vs. Connor Matthews – Featherweight (145 lbs)
- Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Dylan Budka – Middleweight (185 lbs)
- Rodolfo Vieira vs. Andre Petroski – Middleweight (185 lbs)
- No. 12 – Julia Avila vs. No. 13 – Jacqueline Cavalcanti – Bantamweight (135 lbs)
- Vince Morales vs. Elijah Smith – Bantamweight (135 lbs)
- Valter Walker vs. No. 15 – Don’Tale Mayes – Heavyweight (265 lbs)
- Rafael Estevam vs. Jesus Aguilar – Flyweight (125 lbs)
- No. 13 – Angela Hill vs. Ketlen Souza – Strawweight (115 lbs)
- Gabriel Bonfim vs. Khaos Williams – Welterweight (170 lbs)
- Jared Gordon vs. Mashrabjon Ruziboev – Lightweight (155 lbs)
