Two top-5 middleweights will meet on August 21 when Paulo “Borrachinha” Costa returns to face Jared Cannonier to headline the Fight Night Event. Originally reported by ESPN on Wednesday night, Paulo Costa will make his first trip to the Octagon in near…
Two top-5 middleweights will meet on August 21 when Paulo “Borrachinha” Costa returns to face Jared Cannonier to headline the Fight Night Event. Originally reported by ESPN on Wednesday night, Paulo Costa will make his first trip to the Octagon in nearly a year when he faces Jared Cannonier to headline the August 21 Fight […]
Following his loss to Robert Whittaker at UFC 254, Jared Cannonier expects to still be one strike away from punching his ticket to a world title shot. In the UFC 254 build-up, Jared Cannonier was hyped as the next man to challenge Israel Adesanya for t…
Following his loss to Robert Whittaker at UFC 254, Jared Cannonier expects to still be one strike away from punching his ticket to a world title shot. In the UFC 254 build-up, Jared Cannonier was hyped as the next man to challenge Israel Adesanya for the UFC middleweight championship. There’s just one catch. He had […]
Middleweight contender Jared Cannonier expects to be in the same position when he returns to action. Cannonier is currently recovering from arm surgery after breaking it during his unanimous decision defeat to Robert Whittaker at UFC 254 last month. It was his first defeat since moving down to middleweight and halted what would have been […]
Middleweight contender Jared Cannonier expects to be in the same position when he returns to action.
It was his first defeat since moving down to middleweight and halted what would have been a guaranteed title shot at current champion Israel Adesanya had he came out on top.
Regardless of the setback, “The Killa Gorilla” expects to be right back in a number one contender fight when he’s ready to return to action.
“I expect when I come back to be in a position right where I was,” Cannonier told MMA Junkie. “You know what I’m saying? Right where I left off, one more fight earns me a title shot. Again, that’s the goal, to get that title belt. That belts going to be mine.
“This is only a bump in the road – a speed bump that I went over a little too fast maybe.”
As of now, it looks like Adesanya is moving up to challenge Jan Blachowicz for the light heavyweight title early next year. Whenever he does return to the weight class, Whittaker is more than likely to face him in a rematch.
So who does Cannonier want to face in his comeback? He has a few names in mind.
UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Jared Cannonier was early in the most high-profile fight of his life when he realized something was wrong.
At October’s UFC 254 event, Cannonier (13-5 MMA, 6-5 UFC) fought in a potential No. 1 contender fight against former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker. Minutes into Round 1, Cannonier said he encountered a major problem.
“Initially, I knew I had messed up by the way I blocked the kick by extending my frame – by framing out,” Cannonier recently told MMA Junkie. “I took all the kick in that one arm. At first, I thought to myself, ‘You can’t do that, that’s how you break your arm.’ I opened and closed my hand and felt the movement in there. It pretty much confirmed what happened.”
Standing in front of one of the best 185-pound fighters in the world with a broken arm is less than ideal. However, Cannonier didn’t have too much time to dwell on the problem. Most fighters don’t prepare to fight with broken bones, so Cannonier refocused on the task in front of him.
“It was like microseconds of an assessment, after that it was, ‘All right, what can I do to get this win?’” Cannonier said. “For me, I think the big problem was I’m accustomed to using my hands a lot and using both hands in conjunction with each other. … I wasn’t just going to let the man win because I got a boo-boo on my arm.”
Cannonier hung in the fight for the final two-and-a-half rounds but dropped a unanimous decision to Whittaker. Despite the loss, Cannonier said his self-belief and confidence weren’t hindered. He was severely disabled, yet competitive with a former UFC champion.
“Those are all things we can gain energy from, motivation from, inspiration from,” Cannonier said. “Again, I don’t like to play into my ego, so I don’t tap into that side of things. For me, mostly it’s a learning experience. … I felt like, ‘I’m able to win this fight.’ I don’t know. That’s just me. I know I’m able to win any fight. Being injured didn’t really deter that factor in me. I just had to figure out another way to make that happen.
Since he returned to the United States, Cannonier underwent surgery on his left arm to repair a fractured ulna. His recovery is going well with the help of ARIS Physical Therapy and The MMA Lab, he said. The experts have told him he could return as early as March, but Cannonier won’t rush. He said he’s setting his sights on a later timeline.
Regardless of when he makes the walk again, Cannonier thinks he’ll pick up where he left off: A No. 1 contender fight.
“I expect when I come back to be in a position right where I was,” Cannonier said. “You know what I’m saying? Right where I left off, one more fight earns me a title shot. Again, that’s the goal, to get that title belt. That belts going to be mine. This is only a bump in the road – a speed bump that I went over a little too fast maybe.”
As for matchups, there are a number of different options. Cannonier’s speedy ascent up the UFC’s 185-pound ladder has opened the doors for numerous fresh top-10 matchups.
“Of course (Paulo) Costa, Darren Till, all those guys – all those top 10 guys who are making moves to get into the position to get a shot at the title,” Cannonier said. “Like you said, Darren Till (or) (Derek) Brunson. Uriah Hall is in there. He just had a pretty good win. I just saw he’s been scheduled to fight Chris Weidman. That’s definitely a fight that will get him there. It will definitely get Weidman back in the direction of the title, as well. So, there are a lot of things happening. It’s unfortunate that I’m in the position I am where I have to take a step back yet again. Luckily, this isn’t going to be as long of a recovery.
“… When I get back, it’s going to be a better version of what you guys saw and could’ve potentially seen Oct. 24. I’m only excited for what’s going to happen in the future, but again, in the present, I do everything I have to do to make that happen.”
Jared Cannonier’s spirits remain high following his UFC 254 defeat to Robert Whittaker. The pair fought in the co-main event of UFC 254 on Saturday in what was essentially a number one contender bout for the middleweight title. Although it was pretty even for most of the fight, many felt Whittaker had the edge in […]
Jared Cannonier’s spirits remain high following his UFC 254 defeat to Robert Whittaker.
The pair fought in the co-main event of UFC 254 on Saturday in what was essentially a number one contender bout for the middleweight title.
Although it was pretty even for most of the fight, many felt Whittaker had the edge in the first two rounds. The result was all but sealed, however, once Whittaker rocked Cannonier with a head kick that later dropped him in the third round. Cannonier did well to survive until the final bell but was ultimately defeated via unanimous decision.
“The Killa Gorilla” took to social media on Sunday to release a statement where he thanked Whittaker for the fight while also revealing he broke or fractured his left arm during the fight. He notably posted an image of the two together.
“That didn’t go exactly how I wanted but My spirits remain high and I’m happy with how I fought all things considered. The very first kick he threw broke or fractured my left ulna I couldn’t find my grove and adjust quickly to get the W so I’ll take my L with pride.
“@robwhittakermma certainly lived up to my expectations before and after the fight. Congrats mate. Enjoy Xmas and the new . It was a hell of an experience to be here. Can’t wait to go again.”
The defeat was Cannonier’s first since moving down to the middleweight division in 2018. However, with a 3-1 record in the division, the American could easily be back in title contention if he returns to the win column in his next fight.
Robert Whittaker made his case to challenge Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title again with a unanimous decision win over Jared Cannonier in the co-main event of UFC 254 from Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Saturday…
Robert Whittaker made his case to challenge Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title again with a unanimous decision win over Jared Cannonier in the co-main event of UFC 254 from Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Saturday…
Former UFC middleweight champion, Robert ‘The Reaper’ Whittaker seems to have earned his title rematch with kingpin, Israel ‘The Last Stylebender’ Adesanya – with a 29-28 (x3) unanimous decision win to knock back surging contender, Jared ‘The Killa Gorilla’ Cannonier. In a largely kickboxing back-and-forth, Whittaker fired off a picture-perfect jab throughout the three-round affair, […]
In a largely kickboxing back-and-forth, Whittaker fired off a picture-perfect jab throughout the three-round affair, with MMA Lab mainstay, Cannonier scoring punishing leg kicks behind the left-knee of the former champion.
Taking the opening two rounds, closely – Whittaker sealed the deal in the third and final round with a patented snap right high-kick, rattling Cannonier. Assuming mount, Whittaker couldn’t find a finish, with the resilient Cannonier displaying his massive heart to ride out a worrying moment before the close of the final round.
Below, check out the highlights from Whittaker’s entertaining back-and-forth with Cannonier.
Middleweight contender Jared Cannonier expects to be in the same position when he returns to action. Cannonier is currently recovering from arm surgery after breaking it during his unanimous decision defeat to Robert Whittaker at UFC 254 last month. It was his first defeat since moving down to middleweight and halted what would have been […]
Jared Cannonier’s spirits remain high following his UFC 254 defeat to Robert Whittaker. The pair fought in the co-main event of UFC 254 on Saturday in what was essentially a number one contender bout for the middleweight title. Although it was pretty even for most of the fight, many felt Whittaker had the edge in […]
I couldn’t find my grove and adjust quickly to get the W so I’ll take my L with pride.
. It was a hell of an experience to be here. Can’t wait to go again.”
Former UFC middleweight champion, Robert ‘The Reaper’ Whittaker seems to have earned his title rematch with kingpin, Israel ‘The Last Stylebender’ Adesanya – with a 29-28 (x3) unanimous decision win to knock back surging contender, Jared ‘The Killa Gorilla’ Cannonier. In a largely kickboxing back-and-forth, Whittaker fired off a picture-perfect jab throughout the three-round affair, […]
The Reaper by UD!