Tag: Jared Cannonier

Opinion | Fights to make after UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Strickland

UFC Vegas 66UFC Vegas 66 concluded the year for the UFC with the promotion taking a break over the festive period and returning in mid-January. Middleweight contenders headlined the card as they looked to end their years on a high and set themselves up for a promising 2023. For the final time this year, let us put […]

UFC Vegas 66

UFC Vegas 66 concluded the year for the UFC with the promotion taking a break over the festive period and returning in mid-January. Middleweight contenders headlined the card as they looked to end their years on a high and set themselves up for a promising 2023.

For the final time this year, let us put on our matchmaking caps and suggest what could be next for the winners from UFC Vegas 66.

Jared Cannonier

Jared Cannonier etched out an extremely close decision victory in the main event of the evening. Two judges scoring the bout in his favor was enough to see the former title challenger secure a victory.

With a large portion of the top middleweight contenders either having recently fought or being scheduled to fight, Cannonier may have to look down the rankings for his next opponent. Next for Cannonier, I would like to see him take on a rising contender and undefeated UFC fighter, Dricus Du Plessis.

Arman Tsarukyan

Arman Tsarukyan took down one of the highly-rated new contenders in the lightweight division with his victory over Damir Ismagulov. Tsarukyan is a highly touted prospect himself and I would not be opposed to seeing him jump the ladder and fight one of the higher-ranked lightweights in the division. That is why for his next matchup I would like to see him take on former title contender, Michael Chandler.

Amir Albazi

Amir Albazi scored a late KO victory at UFC Vegas 66 to see off short-notice opponent Alessandro Costa. For his next matchup, I would like to see him take on the man one spot above him in the rankings at the time of writing, Matt Schnell.

Alex Caceres

Alex Caceres delivered a perfectly executed head kick to dispatch Julian Erosa inside the first round. I would like to see Caceres get a shot at someone in the rankings and who better than for him to take on the always-game 14th-ranked Edson Barboza?

Drew Dober

Drew Dober delivered dynamite in his final outing of 2022 as he knocked out fan-favorite Bobby Green. Dober himself made this call extremely easy for me when he asked for Jalin Turner, and I believe he should be granted his wish early in the new year.

Micha? Oleksiejczuk

Micha? Oleksiejczuk made quick work of Cody Brundage as he picked up his second finish since dropping down to middleweight. The Poland native called for Chris Curtis in his post-fight interview and similarly to Drew Dober that is a fight I can fully get behind.

Fights To Make Following UFC Vegas 66

Cory McKenna

Cory McKenna scored a decision victory over Cheyanne Vlismas in the 7th matchup of the evening. Two victories in 2022 to close out her year should see her earn a shot at someone with a number next to their name.  Next for McKenna, I would match her up against 13th-ranked strawweight, Emily Ducote.

Matthew Semelsberger

Matthew Semelsberger knocked down Jake Matthews three times in their bout en route to his unanimous decision victory at UFC Vegas 66. For his next fight, I would like to see him take on a man he shared the card with who will be looking to bounce back from a defeat in Bryan Battle.

Said Nurmagomedov

Said Nurmagomedov was able to secure a ninja choke over Saidyokub Kakhramanov after being dominated in the opening round of their UFC Vegas 66 matchup. Having just earnt a ranking himself it is time for him to attempt to ascend up the bantamweight table and therefore I would like to see him take on ‘El Guapo’, Chris Gutierrez.

Rafa Garcia

Rafa Garcia battled through a cut artery to secure himself a victory over Hayisaer Maheshate at UFC Vegas 66. Despite the bout being contested at a catchweight after Maheshate missed the 155-pound limit. I believe Garcia’s gutsy performance should earn him a crack at someone in the rankings. Dan Hooker currently sits 11th in the rankings and would make for a fascinating opponent for the 28-year-old.

Rinat Fakhretdinov

Rinat Fakhretdinov set a record for the most control time in a 3-round fight as he cruised to a decision victory over Bryan Battle. This man has all the makings to cause serious problems in the welterweight division. Given his dominant performance, I would like to see him too face someone in the rankings, and believe Li Jingliang would make for an excellent opponent.

Manel Kape

Manel Kape styled on David Dvorak and was unlucky to not secure a finish in the cards’ second bout of the evening. A threat from all areas Kape has looked better with every outing since signing with the UFC. 30-fight veteran Tim Elliot is without a scheduled matchup, and I feel would be a fine choice of an opponent as Kape looks to ascend the flyweight division in 2023.

Sergey Morozov

Sergey Morozov opened the card at UFC Vegas 66 and called upon his wrestling to secure a decision victory over Journey Newson. Back-to-back victories to close out 2022 for Morozov. Next for the Kazakhstan native should be Montel Jackson as the two men both look to etch themselves closer to a spot in the bantamweight rankings.

That concludes the final ‘fights to make column’ of 2022. As always be sure to let me know whether you agree or disagree with any of the matchups I have suggested. Leave your opinion in the comments below and also share what you thought of UFC Vegas 66 itself.

We shall return to play matchmaker in the new year following the promotions opening card which will see Nassourdine Imavov attempt to take down former title challenger, Kevin Gastelum.

Jared Cannonier Rips “Incompetent” UFC Vegas 66 Judges

UFC No.3-ranked middleweight Jared Cannonier has let his opinions of the UFC Fight Night 216 judging be known. Cannonier recently picked up a grueling split-decision victory over Sean Strickland at UFC Fight Night 216. “The Killa Gorilla” d…

UFC No.3-ranked middleweight Jared Cannonier has let his opinions of the UFC Fight Night 216 judging be known. Cannonier recently picked up a grueling split-decision victory over Sean Strickland at UFC Fight Night 216. “The Killa Gorilla” displayed far more of his trademark kickboxing aggression on the feet than he did at UFC 276. At…

Continue Reading Jared Cannonier Rips “Incompetent” UFC Vegas 66 Judges at MMA News.

Jared Cannonier wants title fight or no. 1 contender fight following victory over Sean Strickland

cannonierFormer title challenger and current no. 3 ranked middleweight contender Jared Cannonier has his eyes set on the top of his division following victory over no. 7 ranked Sean Strickland last night at UFC Vegas 66. Cannonier defeated Strickland via split decision in the main event of the evening, with the scoring totals reading 49-46, […]

cannonier

Former title challenger and current no. 3 ranked middleweight contender Jared Cannonier has his eyes set on the top of his division following victory over no. 7 ranked Sean Strickland last night at UFC Vegas 66.

Cannonier defeated Strickland via split decision in the main event of the evening, with the scoring totals reading 49-46, 46-49, and 49-46. The scorecards were all over the place last night, and not one of the five rounds they fought was universally agreed upon by the judges.

It was a very close fight.

Nonetheless, now that Cannonier is back in the win column, he has his sights set on either a title fight, or a no. 1 contender fight:

“I definitely thought I won at least three of the five rounds. I felt confident that I won three out of five rounds. On top of that, I felt confident that I won the fight in general,” Cannonier stated in his post-fight interview.

“I would say he’s (Sean Strickland) good at what he does. He’s really good at moving forward, putting that jab out there, and then getting out of the way. If I gave him the look like, ‘Here I come,’ he was already aware, primed, and either ready to counter with his check hook or whatever combination he was going to throw, or just move away and avoid it all together.

“But that was one thing we had been working on leading up to the (Israel) Adesanya fight, entering on our opponents without getting overextended, and once you get in, then you can start opening up with the big strikes that I love so much.”

Cannonier continued: “If not a title shot, hopefully the contender’s match. That’s what I would hope for. Either a title shot to begin 2023 or the fight that gets me a title shot in middle or late 2023. A contender’s fight. So as long as they say, ‘You fight this person and it’s a contender’s fight. You get a title shot after this one,’ alright, let’s do it.”

Many people were displeased with the scorecards in last nights main event, believing that Strickland had done enough to secure the victory. But, it was one of those fights where not a single round was that awfully decisive.

Assuming the UFC books Pereira vs Adesanya IV for their next middleweight title fight, which they probably will, who would you like to see Jared Cannonier face for the no. 1 contender spot?

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Sean Strickland Roasts Judges Following Close UFC Vegas 66 Loss

UFC middleweight Sean Strickland’s latest social media rant came just hours after losing to Jared Cannonier at UFC Vegas 66. Strickland lost to Cannonier via a split decision (46-49 x 2, 49-46) in the UFC Vegas 66 main event on Saturday at the UF…

UFC middleweight Sean Strickland’s latest social media rant came just hours after losing to Jared Cannonier at UFC Vegas 66. Strickland lost to Cannonier via a split decision (46-49 x 2, 49-46) in the UFC Vegas 66 main event on Saturday at the UFC Apex. It was an exciting striking-heavy affair from start to finish,…

Continue Reading Sean Strickland Roasts Judges Following Close UFC Vegas 66 Loss at MMA News.

MMA Twitter Reacts To Jared Cannonier Outworking Sean Strickland At UFC Vegas 66

Jared Cannonier got it done by a razor-thin margin against Sean Strickland at UFC Vegas 66 this evening. Both men were evenly matched for much of the main event bout, with the judges handing a split decision victory to Cannonier. It’s the 38-year…

Jared Cannonier got it done by a razor-thin margin against Sean Strickland at UFC Vegas 66 this evening. Both men were evenly matched for much of the main event bout, with the judges handing a split decision victory to Cannonier. It’s the 38-year-old’s first victory since losing his championship bout with Israel Adesanya in July….

Continue Reading MMA Twitter Reacts To Jared Cannonier Outworking Sean Strickland At UFC Vegas 66 at MMA News.

Jared Cannonier closes out 2022 with split decision win over Sean Strickland – UFC Vegas 66 Highlights

Jared CannonierIn the UFC’s final bout of the year, one-time middleweight title challenger Jared Cannonier returned to the Octagon for a high-stakes matchup with the always outspoken and often controversial Sean Strickland. Both fighters entered the bout looking to get back into the win column after Cannonier came up short in his lone title bid against […]

Jared Cannonier

In the UFC’s final bout of the year, one-time middleweight title challenger Jared Cannonier returned to the Octagon for a high-stakes matchup with the always outspoken and often controversial Sean Strickland. Both fighters entered the bout looking to get back into the win column after Cannonier came up short in his lone title bid against Israel Adesanya while Strickland suffered a first-round knockout against newly crowned middleweight king Alex Pereira.

In the opening round, both fighters paced themselves, preparing for a potential five-round war. As Strickland attempted to establish his jab, Cannonier targeted the lead leg, landing heavy leg kicks throughout the first five minutes. Strickland scored a brief takedown after catching a body kick, from Cannonier, but the one-time title challenger was able to get back to his feet quickly. In the second round, Strickland began to open up a bit, establishing his jab and keeping just out of range of Cannonier’s attacks, but ‘The Killa Gorilla’ continued to beat on the leg of Strickland.

Strickland began to open up, frustrating Cannonier with his footwork. That trend continued through the majority of the fourth round until Cannonier landed a big left hand that got a smile out of Strickland. Going into the fifth and final round, total strikes were incredibly close with Strickland peppering Cannonier with jabs and solid combinations as ‘The Killa Gorilla’ looked for the one-hit knockout. With 10 seconds to go, both fighters emptied their gas tanks in a closely contested middleweight main event.

Official Result: Jared Cannonier def. Sean Strickland via split decision (49-46, 46-49, 49-46)

Check Out Highlights From Sean Strickland vs. Jared Cannonier at UFC Vegas 66 Below: