Cannonier: I Won’t Let Adesanya Goad Me Into His Game

UFC middleweight contender Jared Cannonier is determined not to make the same mistakes as champion Israel Adesanya’s previous challengers. After testing out two other weight classes, Cannonier has found a home at 185 pounds. Aside from a sole loss to Robert Whittaker, “The Killa Gorilla” has brushed aside every other opponent in the division. Having…

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UFC middleweight contender Jared Cannonier is determined not to make the same mistakes as champion Israel Adesanya’s previous challengers.

After testing out two other weight classes, Cannonier has found a home at 185 pounds. Aside from a sole loss to Robert Whittaker, “The Killa Gorilla” has brushed aside every other opponent in the division.

Having defeated former interim title challenger Kelvin Gastelum in a 2021 main event and brutally dispatched top-five contender Derek Brunson earlier this year at UFC 271, Cannonier has cemented himself as the number one contender.

While he’ll look to add the first blemish to the champ’s middleweight record in the UFC 276 main event next month, Adesanya will hope to extend his dominance over the weight class with an impressive International Fight Week performance.

So far during his reign, Adesanya has defended his gold against Yoel Romero, Paulo Costa, Marvin Vettori, and Whittaker. Having analyzed how “The Last Stylebender” implemented his technical and skilled striking game against all four, Cannonier is looking to break the mold.

Speaking to MMA News’ own James Lynch just weeks out from his first UFC championship opportunity, “The Killa Gorilla” discussed his keys to victory, highlighting how important it is that he doesn’t fall into Adesanya’s striking traps.

“There’s gonna be a lot of technique being employed. It’s gonna be a very technical — it’s gonna be a striker’s delight, if you will. But it ain’t gonna be no striking match. This is an MMA fight,” said Cannonier. “So, I don’t plan on playing his striking game. He goads everybody into it. He confuses them, but then next thing you know, they’re in there getting juiced. They didn’t know they were playing right into his hands.

“I’m planning on neutralizing. I want him to be neutralized. On no level do I wanna be flaccid out there. If he does something, he’s gonna have to be super dynamic. He’s gonna have to be very dynamic,” added Cannonier. “He’s gonna have to be like, red alert type sh*t… For me, this is going to be very fun, very interesting.”

Catch our full interview with UFC middleweight contender Jared Cannonier below:

While he’s unsurprisingly entering his title challenge as a significant underdog, Cannonier will be looking to upset the MMA world on July 2 in Las Vegas, something that he seems very confident in his ability to do.

Should he shake up the middleweight division next month, it stands to reason that Vettori and Whittaker, who have already suffered two losses at the hands of Adesanya, will be right back into play at the top of the weight class.

Does Jared Cannonier have what it takes to hand Israel Adesanya his first loss at 185 pounds?

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Coach Explains Why Cannonier Is Tougher Opponent For Adesanya Than Costa

Israel Adesanya has his next opponent ahead of him and it could be the toughest yet. The UFC middleweight division is stacked with killers looking to dethrone the champion, Israel Adesanya. Next up will be Jared Cannonier, who takes his shot at the champ on July 2 at UFC 276. Cannonier is currently ranked in…

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Israel Adesanya has his next opponent ahead of him and it could be the toughest yet.

The UFC middleweight division is stacked with killers looking to dethrone the champion, Israel Adesanya. Next up will be Jared Cannonier, who takes his shot at the champ on July 2 at UFC 276.

Cannonier is currently ranked in the number two spot of the rankings and is riding a two-fight winning streak. Although Cannonier may be overlooked by fans and critics, Adesanya’s team sees the threat from a dangerous opponent in him.

Adesanya’s coach, Eugene Bareman spoke recently to Submission Radio about the differences between Cannonier and Adesnaya’s previous opponent Paulo Costa.

“Jared is not Paulo Costa… If Israel is picking him off, Jared has shown in the past that he has the mindset to change the strategy,” Bareman said via Sportskeeda. “He will start to press Israel a little bit. He won’t be as reluctant as Paulo Costa was. That’s just his mindset. He has a much stronger mindset and understanding, and he’s got a very good team behind him.”

The only loss of Adesanya’s professional career came when he made the leap to light heavyweight to take on Jan Blachowicz for the 205-pound title. At middleweight, Adesanya seems invincible, something that Cannonier is willing to test. Of his last five wins, four were by KO or TKO.

“So that is something that people underestimate about Jared. He is willing to – I don’t wanna say take risks – but take calculated judgments when the fight is not going his way and he needs to change something. And he’s willing to take a sharp turn to change it. That’s what makes him dangerous and that’s also, at the end of the day, what makes him vulnerable.”

This will be the fifth title defense for Adesanya. His last two defenses were by unanimous decision. Cannonier has only gone to decision twice in his last seven fights. If what Bareman says is true, they will be preparing for an aggressive Cannonier, and the fans could be in for a very exciting fight.

Do you think Jared Cannonier has what it takes to defeat Israel Adesanya?

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Rockhold Gives Cannonier A 20% Chance Of Beating Adesanya

Former UFC Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold has given a less-than-optimistic view of Jared Cannonier’s chances against reigning king Israel Adesanya. After testing his Octagon skills and recording knockouts at both heavyweight and light heavyweight, Cannonier has found a home at 155 pounds. In his six appearances in the division, “The Killa Gorilla” has gone 5-1,…

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Former UFC Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold has given a less-than-optimistic view of Jared Cannonier’s chances against reigning king Israel Adesanya.

After testing his Octagon skills and recording knockouts at both heavyweight and light heavyweight, Cannonier has found a home at 155 pounds. In his six appearances in the division, “The Killa Gorilla” has gone 5-1, with his sole loss coming against former champion Robert Whittaker in 2020.

Now, having rebounded with a main event victory over Kelvin Gastelum and a brutal ground-and-pound KO of Derek Brunson earlier this year, Cannonier has risen to #2 on the middleweight ladder and set his sights on Adesanya, whom he’ll look to dethrone at UFC 276 on July 2.

Despite being regarded as a heavy underdog, Cannonier has given a confident assessment of his preparation, and suggested that he’ll force the champion to change his approach when they share the cage this summer.

But one former titleholder isn’t buying it.

During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, Rockhold, who sat on the middleweight throne in late 2015 after getting the better of Chris Weidman, gave Cannonier just a 20% chance of adding the first blemish to Adesanya’s 185-pound record in the UFC 276 headliner.

“Cannonier’s got a 20% chance. He’s got a puncher’s chance,” said Rockhold. “Israel’s so long and effective, how he gets out of the way of a power-puncher like that. I don’t know, I don’t see it. He fights from so many angles. It’s gonna be tough for Cannonier to get through the power kicks, takedowns, or whatever he’s gonna try to do. You never know though, he’s a tough dude.”

Having defended his title four times against Yoel Romero, Paulo Costa, Marvin Vettori, and Whittaker, Adesanya will be looking to extend his run of dominance by adding Cannonier to his résumé on July 2.

Should he accomplish that feat, perhaps a bout with Rockhold will be in his future. The Californian is preparing for his return against top-five contender Paulo Costa and has expressed his desire to return to the middleweight mountaintop.

Do you agree with Luke Rockhold’s assessment of Jared Cannonier’s title chances?

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Video | Israel Adesanya Details Gruelling Training Camp Ahead Of UFC 276 Return On July 2.

Israel AdesanyaAhead of his upcoming UFC 276 headliner on July 2. during International Fight Week, reigning middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has shed some light on a brutal training regime as he prepares for his fifth attempted title defense – drawing the #2 ranked contender, Jared Cannonier. Israel Adesanya, a staple of prominent outfit, City Kickboxing, under […]

Israel Adesanya

Ahead of his upcoming UFC 276 headliner on July 2. during International Fight Week, reigning middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has shed some light on a brutal training regime as he prepares for his fifth attempted title defense – drawing the #2 ranked contender, Jared Cannonier.

Israel Adesanya, a staple of prominent outfit, City Kickboxing, under the tutelage of head coach, Eugene Bareman, is set for his second Octagon appearance of the year – following a successful title knockback against two-time opponent, Robert Whittaker in the main event of UFC 271 in February.

The victory came as Adesanya’s fourth successful defense of his undisputed middleweight crowns, having previously handed losses to the trio of Marvin Vettori, Paulo Costa, and promotional alum, Yoel Romero.

Sharing an insight into his preparations and priming for his T-Mobile Arena appearance next month, Adesanya posted the first episode of his training camp detail on his official YouTube channel.

Attacking the assault bike with City Kickboxing teammates in tandem, the Nigerian-Kiwi then utilized the heavy bags at the facility, before drilling a series of knee strikes as well as takedown defense.

Joined in camp by the likes of UFC features, Carlos Ulberg, Brad Riddell, Shane Young, and incoming interim flyweight title challenger, Kai Kara-France – Israel Adesanya also shared footage of himself preparing for a real estate investment, in the form of a massive mansion which is set for upcoming construction – with the help of his father, whom Adesanya gifted a matching Rolex watch.

Returning to the Bareman led facility, Adesanya and co practised suplex takedowns on a crash mat as well as takedown setups, lifts, and carries, as well as consistent takedown defense drills – with his family onlooking from the ring apron. 

Jared Cannonier shared the aforenoted UFC 271 card with Israel Adesanya

Earning his title shot against Adesanya off the back of a pair of impressive victories, Texan standout, Cannonier defeated common-foes, Kelvin Gastelum, as well as Derek Brunson – the most recent of which at UFC 271 in February, courtesy of a series of brutal second round ground elbows.

Marvin Vettori Doubts Jared Cannonier Defeats Israel Adesanya At UFC 274: ‘I Don’t Think There’s Much He Can Do’

Marvin VettoriUFC middleweight contender, Marvin Vettori has his reservations regarding Jared Cannoniner’s ability to spring an upset against defeat soon to be common-foe, champion, Israel Adesanya at UFC 276 – but will keep a firm eye on proceedings, targeting his own title shot with a potential September return. Vettori, the current #3 ranked middleweight contender, managed […]

Marvin Vettori

UFC middleweight contender, Marvin Vettori has his reservations regarding Jared Cannoniner’s ability to spring an upset against defeat soon to be common-foe, champion, Israel Adesanya at UFC 276 – but will keep a firm eye on proceedings, targeting his own title shot with a potential September return.

Vettori, the current #3 ranked middleweight contender, managed to return from a second career loss to Adesanya back in June, with an impressive unanimous decision win over Paulo Costa in an impromptu light heavyweight main event in November of last year.

Initially booked to fight former champion, Robert Whittaker in a high-stakes matchup at UFC 275 on June 11. in Singapore, the pairing was officially shelved after Whittaker suffered an undisclosed injury during fight camp, ruling him from the bout.

Whilst not officially confirmed by the organization, both Vettori and Whittaker appear to have verbally agreed to a UFC Fight Night Paris showdown at the Accor Arena on September 3. – ahead of the organization’s first outing in France.

Marvin Vettori doubts Jared Cannonier can spring an upset against Israel Adesanya in July

Sharing his thoughts on the upcoming July 2. International Fight Week middleweight title outing between Adesanya and the #2 rated, Cannonier, Vettori has doubts the Texan can offer something new to Adesanya in his bid to land an upset title triumph.

“I don’t think there’s much he can do, to be honest, I don’t see (Jared) Cannonier winning that fight, to be honest,” Marvin Vettori told The Schmo during a recent interview. “But, again, he’s been around for a while, he got his shot, let’s see if he can make the most out of it.”

“In reality, if he (Cannonier) wins, I’m definitely next after I beat (Robert) Whittaker so,” Marvin Vettori explained. “I don’t even care, to be honest, I don’t even care. I’ve been around for a while. I believe I’m the best – even the rankings say, if I’m not the best, I’m right there. I’m gonna get my shot sooner or later, and that’s all I care for.”  

Earning his premier title outing under the promotion’s banner, Cannonier stopped division staple, Derek Brunson with a flurry of brutal second round ground elbows at UFC 271 back in February – landing his second straight victory.

Cannonier On Viral Clip: I’m Not Interested In Being Part Of The Circus

Jared Cannonier is not ready to be in the partying crowd while sitting cageside at a UFC event. One perk of being a UFC fighter is you get to attend events and sit cageside. Seats that close to the action are exciting and can sometimes be pretty rowdy. This is something that Jared Cannonier found…

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Jared Cannonier is not ready to be in the partying crowd while sitting cageside at a UFC event.

One perk of being a UFC fighter is you get to attend events and sit cageside. Seats that close to the action are exciting and can sometimes be pretty rowdy. This is something that Jared Cannonier found out firsthand.

He was in the crowd watching UFC 274 this past Saturday night when the camera zoomed in on him. He was surrounded by fellow fighters Molly McCann, Paddy Pimbeltt, and Ajamain Sterling. What happened next was very amusing to all except Cannonier by the looks of it.

Cannonier was asked about this moment after the fight.

“I’m there to watch the fights. I’m there to watch the circus, not be a part of the circus,” Cannonier told The MMA Hour via Sportskeeda. “No offense to anyone involved. I respect each and every one of my cohorts. I’m just doing me, man. They’re doing them. That’s me. I’m staying in my zone, staying in my energy, protecting my energy.

“I really don’t like being surrounded by a lot of people that I don’t know, who I’m not familiar with, who I don’t trust. I guess it’s a stigma that I picked up from the Army. I don’t like being around a lot of people.”

Cannonier has a big fight coming up. It was just announced that he will be taking on middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in Cannonier’s first title fight. That fight will be taking place at UFC 276 in July.

Cannonier seems like a very serious guy, and if he has begun his training for his title fight, he may be more subdued than ever. That is not the case for the other three, who are coming off recent wins.

“They were rowdy, especially Molly,” he said. “They’re cool, they’re all cool. I got no qualms with any of them … But Molly, every time I looked up at the screen I saw her drink hovering above my head. Yeah man, me and my wife got a bit of beer on the back of us but no biggie, it’s all good. They didn’t pour a whole beer, they didn’t douse us. We got spritzed a bit every now and then.”

McCann and Pimblett are two fresh faces in the UFC, and their character and wild nature are what make them fan favorites.

Would you want to sit with McCann, Pimblett, and Sterling at a UFC event?

Continue Reading Cannonier On Viral Clip: I’m Not Interested In Being Part Of The Circus at MMA News.