MMA DFS and Betting Breakdown: UFC Fight Night - Cannonier vs. Rodrigues

by Liam Heslin (LiamPicksFights) Last Updated 2025-02-15 16:39:13 Premium Content Part of the product MMA Premium

Liam Heslin (aka LiamPicksFights) is a massive combat sports fan with over a decade of experience competing in wrestling and grappling martial arts. For each UFC event, he produces the MMA DFS and sports betting breakdown for RotoGrinders.

Jared “The Killa Gorilla” Cannonier looks to defend his top-10 middleweight ranking against the oncoming force that is Gregory “Robocop” Rodrigues in the main event live from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card pits many seasoned veterans against younger up-and-comers in their divisions. Despite a lack of star power, the card looks interesting throughout.

Note: All DFS salaries listed are from DraftKings, & all odds quoted are from FanDuel Sportsbook.

Editor’s Note: Analysis of remaining fights is coming soon.

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MMA DFS and Betting Breakdown: UFC Fight Night – Cannonier vs. Rodrigues

Jose Delgado ($9,000) vs. Connor Matthews ($7,200)

Fight Odds: -420 Delgado vs. +310 Matthews
Weight Class: 145lb. (Featherweight)

Jose Delgado impressed folks on the Contender Series with a 2-round beatdown of Ernie Juarez. The MMA Lab product, who is cornered by former UFC Lightweight Champion “Smooth” Benson Henderson, used his length and range to land multi-strike combinations on the feet. He also mixed in offensive takedowns, ground and pound, and over 2 minutes of control time. Now, he is making his UFC debut on the momentum of a 5-fight win streak.

His opponent will be a native son of Fall River, Massachusetts, Connor “The Controller” Matthews. Matthews is a smaller, older featherweight who is struggling to break through at the UFC level. He is making his sophomore appearance in the promotion after dropping his UFC debut against Dennis Buzukja via KO3 last March. Matthews seems to get buzzed on the feet in all of his fights; he is a mark for calf kicks, and he was taken down 6 times and controlled for more than 5 minutes against Francis Marshall on his first attempt at DWCS.

Delgado has brutal knees, which he can use to intercept Matthews’ takedown attempts. He has at least 2” of height and reach over Matthews, and he is the much younger and more durable fighter. For Matthews to win this fight, he will likely have to replicate the game plan of Chris Mecate (10-2 Pro), who leveraged his wrestling background to take down Delgado and control him on the mat. Delgado fought valiantly for all 3 rounds but didn’t have the skill or physicality to keep the fight standing. This fight is a litmus test for his improvements.

Prediction: Jose Delgado defeats Conor Matthews via Stoppage Rd. 2/3