Armen Petrosyan stunned on Dana White’s Contender Series last year. That tends to happen when you finish your opponent on the show with a head kick — and it set high expectations for the middleweight’s UFC Vegas 49 debut, against former LFA champ Gregory Rodrigues.
The first minute of the fight was spent with the pair feeling each other out. It was Rodrigues firing first, glancing with a huge right hand. He came forward with a big combination and Petrosyan fired back in a dangerous exchange for both men. Even off his back foot Petrosyan was the busier fighter mixing in a lot of kicks. A lot of forward pressure from Rodrigues, as he was looking to land a single strike but with more power. Petrosyan ended the round kicking to the body and the legs.
Rodrigues landed a right hand early in round two. He had Petrosyan a bit shaken and went on the hunt chasing the finish. Petrosyan would end up having Rodrigues backing up when he landed a combination. Busy work from Petrosyan landing kicks and jabs to the body. He did land a left hook that wobbled Rodrigues for a second. Nothing came from it and a little under a minute left Rodrigues took the fight down. They were not down long and Petrosyan got back to his feet at the bell.
In round three Rodriguez landed the first big shot, which was a head kick. It hurt Petrosyan and Rodrigues got the back for the takedown. He attempted a suloev stretch and an rear-naked choke but somehow Petrosyan escaped and got back to his feet. He went right at Rodriguez too, with a flurry of punches. The remainder of the fight they both went at it and Petrosyan ended strong with plenty of output. That was enough to snag him the split decision.
Anyone else on the edge of their seat for all three rounds? 😳 #UFCVegas49 pic.twitter.com/dyST1Rih0R
— UFC (@ufc) February 27, 2022
Official Result: Armen Petrosyan def. Gregory Rodrigues by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
