UFC president Dana White has confirmed that top middleweight contender Jared Cannonier will get the next title shot against Israel Adesanya. Cannonier continued his rise up the middleweight rankings with a vicious knockout of Derek Brunson at UFC 271. After struggling with Brunson’s wrestling early in the fight, he found his rhythm in the second […]
UFC president Dana White has confirmed that top middleweight contender Jared Cannonier will get the next title shot against Israel Adesanya.
Cannonier continued his rise up the middleweight rankings with a vicious knockout of Derek Brunson at UFC 271. After struggling with Brunson’s wrestling early in the fight, he found his rhythm in the second and landed a flurry of strikes that finished Brunson.
Cannonier has now won two in a row and five of his last six bouts. Entering UFC 271, he earned a lopsided win over Kelvin Gastelum last August. Cannonier also earned finishes over the likes of Anderson Silva and Jack Hermansson en route to the title conversation.
The fight with Brunson was billed as a No. 1 contender fight, but nothing was certain regarding the next middleweight title bout. During his UFC 271 post-fight press conference, White affirmed that Cannonier will get the next shot at Adesanya.
Dana White Confirms Jared Cannonier/Israel Adesanya Is Next
“I was excited to see that fight to see how it played out,” White said. “It was an exciting fight. And yeah, I’m not going to say no to Cannonier.”
Adesanya escaped with another win over Whittaker at UFC 271, earning a unanimous decision victory. It was a much more competitive fight from beginning to end, and some believed that Whittaker even did enough to earn the win on the scorecards.
Cannonier has solidified himself as the No. 1 middleweight contender to face Adesanya later this year. During his post-fight interview, Adesanya hinted at a potential return in June, at the earliest.
For now, Cannonier will take some time off to celebrate the biggest win of his UFC tenure. He’ll look to shock the world later this year when he finally gets his shot at an elusive UFC title.
What is your early prediction for Jared Cannonier vs. Israel Adesanya?
Jared Cannonier emerged victorious from what appeared to be a middleweight number one contender fight at UFC 271. ‘The Killa Gorilla’ endured a tough first round but got after it in round two and ultimately scored a vicious KO win. Check out the highlights.
Jared Cannonier emerged victorious from what appeared to be a middleweight number one contender fight at UFC 271.
‘The Killa Gorilla’ endured a tough first round but got after it in round two and ultimately scored a vicious KO win.
UFC middleweight contender Jared Cannonier wants to prove that he can wrestle with the best of them, including UFC 271 opponent Derek Brunson. Cannonier and Brunson are set to meet in a middleweight showcase on the UFC 271 main card. Both men are vying for a potential title shot against the winner of Israel Adesanya…
UFC middleweight contender Jared Cannonier wants to prove that he can wrestle with the best of them, including UFC 271 opponent Derek Brunson.
Cannonier and Brunson are set to meet in a middleweight showcase on the UFC 271 main card. Both men are vying for a potential title shot against the winner of Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker.
Cannonier has always been known for his ferocious striking and intimidating presence in the Octagon. His grappling hasn’t been discussed as much by the MMA faithful, but he showed off superb takedown defense in recent wins over Kelvin Gastelum and Jack Hermansson.
Cannonier will face a tough test against Brunson, arguably the best wrestler in the middleweight division. During his UFC 271 media day press conference, Cannonier seemed to welcome the challenge.
“I can grapple. I train at The MMA Lab and we got good grapplers, D-1 level wrestlers that I’m learning from,” Cannonier said. “They don’t have to be the same size as me, but we got some big guys in there. I’ve trained with the little guys damn near my whole career. You see how far that’s gotten me.
Jared Cannonier, Image: 2019 Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
“Yeah, I can grapple too. I can wrestle too. I have a pair of wrestling shoes my damn self. They’re probably not as worn out as his, he’s been doing it way longer than me, but my mind allows me to be as good as these other guys when I need be. You may see me taking him down if the opportunity presents itself.”
Cannonier has won four of his last five fights over some of the best contenders in the division. He has fought at multiple weight classes during his UFC career but seems to have found a home at 185 pounds.
This is arguably Cannonier’s biggest fight to date and biggest test inside the cage. If he ends up being victorious against Brunson, he’ll likely need to utilize some grappling skills in the process.
What is your prediction for Jared Cannonier vs. Derek Brunson?
Derek Brunson says he isn’t going to lose to anything less than a lucky shot at UFC 271. UFC 271 is set for Saturday night, and one of the most anticipated middleweight fights of the year is slated between Derek Brunson and Jared Cannonier. Brunson is coming into this fight with Cannonier riding high on…
Derek Brunson says he isn’t going to lose to anything less than a lucky shot at UFC 271.
UFC 271 is set for Saturday night, and one of the most anticipated middleweight fights of the year is slated between Derek Brunson and Jared Cannonier.
Brunson is coming into this fight with Cannonier riding high on confidence. He believes he has what it takes to get the victory and set his sights on a title shot. In the leadup to the fight, Brunson spoke to the media during fight week and laid out the one scenario that he could see losing to Cannonier.
“Jared is a guy who’s opportunistic,” Brunson said. “He stings in there. But I don’t really put him as really great at any one thing. He’s just a solid, tough guy… I feel I matchup really well. He’s gotta come out and fight the perfect fight. He’s gotta like, have a little luck on his side, and catch me. Skill for skill, it’s not even close.”
Although Brunson is not giving Cannonier much of a chance to beat him, Cannonier is one of the best in the division. He is coming off a very impressive win over Kelvin Gastelum in the summer and is ranked in the #3 spot.
Brunson has seemed unstoppable in his last five outings. He may be correct in guessing that the winner of this bout will go on to face the champion next, whoever that might be after Saturday night. Brunson will be trying his best to make sure that he will be the next title challenger since his fighting days may be numbered.
Who do you have winning at UFC 271, Derek Brunson or Jared Cannonier?
UFC 271 goes down Saturday in Houston, and it looks like it will be an excellent night of fights. In the main event, middleweight champion Israel Adesanya will look for his fourth successful title defense…
UFC 271 goes down Saturday in Houston, and it looks like it will be an excellent night of fights. In the main event, middleweight champion Israel Adesanya will look for his fourth successful title defense…
UFC middleweight Derek Brunson has revealed he’s planning on retiring after two more appearances inside the Octagon. Brunson’s recent form has certainly been one of the more surprising stories of resurgence in recent memory. Entering 2019, the North Carolina native, who’s been a part of the UFC roster since 2012, was 2-4. A pair of…
UFC middleweight Derek Brunson has revealed he’s planning on retiring after two more appearances inside the Octagon.
Brunson’s recent form has certainly been one of the more surprising stories of resurgence in recent memory. Entering 2019, the North Carolina native, who’s been a part of the UFC roster since 2012, was 2-4.
A pair of two-fight skids, which featured defeats to reigning champion Israel Adesanya, former titleholder Robert Whittaker, GOAT contender Anderson Silva, and Brazilian grappling legend Ronaldo Souza, were separated by triumphs over Dan Kelly and Lyoto Machida.
After rebounding with wins against Elias Theodorou and Ian Heinisch, Brunson hit the form of his life following his transition to the now-infamous “Blonde Brunson.” Since making the hair alteration, the 38-year-old has finished Edmen Shahbazyan and Darren Till and outpointed Kevin Holland, all three of which came in main event contests.
After confirming that a championship opportunity is the only fight he’ll accept if he’s victorious over Cannonier, Brunson laid out his retirement plan, and it’s one that is perhaps further along than most would have expected.
“I’m gonna sit and wait for a title fight after I win this fight. For sure. I’ve done everything I needed to do in this division,” said Brunson. “Honestly, I plan on fighting two more times. I feel like I’m lucky and blessed to like, fight in the UFC 20 times, and I’m super smart and got a good brain in my head, so I don’t wanna fight until I can’t fight no more. I’m in the best shape. I’m feeling good. So that’s all I’m thinking about right now; beat Cannonier, beat Izzy, and riding out. That’s it.”
Brunson went on to confirm that regardless of the situation, he’s limiting himself to two more Octagon outings. He cited his desire for more family time and his target of retiring without accumulating significant damage as the reasons behind his decision.
“Just two more times. You know, I spend a lot of time getting ready for these fights away from my family and stuff, and I’m 38,” Brunson continued. “I’m missing like, soccer games and stuff like that for my daughters. So, that’s more important to me than chasing money and stuff like that. I’ve been smart with my money, made enough money.
“I have no excuses. I’m in really good shape. I feel really good. I’m motivated. I don’t even plan on losing. But I just know that you can’t do combat sports forever, and end peacefully. I feel like I’ve got a super good brain, my head is good, no injuries, nothing. I think finish my goal, finish my task, complete the mission, get the title, and be like, ‘Peace, I’m out,’” Brunson concluded.
With toes dipping in the realms of real estate, gym ownership, fight promotion, and management, Brunson certainly won’t be short of new ventures and exciting possibilities moving forward when he does call an end to his fighting career.
Do you think Derek Brunson has what it takes to beat Jared Cannonier and dethrone Israel Adesanya?
Jared Cannonier emerged victorious from what appeared to be a middleweight number one contender fight at UFC 271. ‘The Killa Gorilla’ endured a tough first round but got after it in round two and ultimately scored a vicious KO win. Check out the highlights.
