UFC Fight Night: Jared Cannonier vs. Caio Borralho takes place on Saturday, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results! After staging its latest pay-per-view Down Under at the RAC Arena in Perth this past weekend, mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is back on home soil to put on another card […]
Topping the lineup will be a crucial clash of top contenders in the middleweight division, with former title challenger Jared Cannonier and the fast-rising Caio Borralho both looking to put themselves in a strong position within the title picture.
Elsewhere, the likes of Angela Hill, Neil Magny, and Edmen Shahbazyan will all have their next assignments inside the Octagon, while this year’s TUF finales also go down inside the Apex.
UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Borralho Weigh-In Results
UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Borralho takes place on Saturday, August 24, at the Apex facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, with the preliminary card starting at 7 p.m. ET/4p.m. PT.
See above for a live stream of the weigh-ins via MMA Junkie, and check out the full results below!
Main Card:
Middleweight Main Event: Jared Cannonier vs. Caio Borralho
Women’s Strawweight Co-Main Event: Angela Hill vs. Tabatha Ricci
Middleweight (TUF 32 Finale): Robert Valentin vs. Ryan Loder
Featherweight (TUF 32 Finale): Kaan Ofli vs. Mairon Santos
Welterweight: Neil Magny vs. Michael Morales
Middleweight: Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Gerald Meerschaert
Preliminary Card:
Lightweight: Dennis Buzukja vs. Francis Marshall
Middleweight: Zachary Reese vs. Jose Medina
Lightweight: Viacheslav Borshchev vs. James Llontop
Women’s Bantamweight: Jacqueline Cavalcanti vs. Josiane Nunes
Featherweight: Zygimantas Ramaska vs. Nathan Fletcher
Women’s Flyweight: Wang Cong vs. Victoria Leonardo
Jared Cannonier recently conveyed that he bears no animosity toward referee Jason Herzog for the controversial stoppage of his fight against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night Louisville. Cannonier suffered a fourth-round TKO loss to Imavov in June when Herzog stepped in to halt the fight as the former UFC middleweight title challenger attempted to […]
Jared Cannonier recently conveyed that he bears no animosity toward referee Jason Herzog for the controversial stoppage of his fight against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night Louisville.
Cannonier suffered a fourth-round TKO loss to Imavov in June when Herzog stepped in to halt the fight as the former UFC middleweight title challenger attempted to defend himself against a relentless barrage of strikes from his opponent.
Although “The Killa Gorilla” appeared shaken before the stoppage, it didn’t seem that he was on the brink of being finished, as evidenced by his visible frustration and immediate protest of the referee’s decision.
Herzog, widely regarded as one of the most respected and experienced referees in MMA, faced intense scrutiny from the MMA community for what many deemed a premature stoppage. Even Cannonier, at the time, described the entire situation as “gut-wrenching.”
Cannonier on Herzog’s Judgment: ‘We All Make Mistakes’
During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Cannonier opened up about his stoppage loss to Imavov. The 40-year-old Texan emphasized that Herzog wasn’t at fault, noting that the referee was simply fulfilling his duty and, in fact, spared him from taking further damage from his opponent.
“I’m not going to be salty like that. Herzog is a good referee,” Cannonier said. “I mean, he’s human; we all make mistakes or erroneous judgments, you know what I mean? To whatever degree we may perceive them to be, he was just doing his job in keeping me safe—or, you know what I’m saying, getting paid off to let the Frenchman win, I don’t know. But whatever the f**k, man. I didn’t go in there and knock out Imavov, so this is what I have to deal with.”
Cannonier further expressed that he wants to ensure such mistakes don’t occur again.
“I get the lessons from the unfortunate things that may have happened, like these stoppages and sh*t like that. Hopefully, it doesn’t happen again. Hopefully, these refs will give me an opportunity—if they see me on my feet, don’t stop the fight. You won’t see me on my feet getting battered like a speed bag making that sound or something like that.”
Cannonier’s loss was a tough setback, especially after his impressive back-to-back victories over Marvin Vettori and Sean Strickland. A win would have positioned him as a prime contender for a second shot at the championship, but now he finds himself pushed further down the ranks in the contender lineup.
Jared Cannonier recently shared some insight into his thoughts on some of his defeats in the Octagon. During a recent appearance on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour, Jared Cannonier discussed his UFC 276 loss to then-Middleweight Champion Israel Ades…
Jared Cannonier recently shared some insight into his thoughts on some of his defeats in the Octagon. During a recent appearance on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour, Jared Cannonier discussed his UFC 276 loss to then-Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya. “The Killa Gorilla” compared his loss to his unanimous decision defeat against Robert Whittaker at UFC…
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 […]
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 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 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 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 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.
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 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.
Big finishes, big bonuses
Alex Caceres and Michal Oleksiejczuk both earn Performance of the Night at #UFCVegas66!
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.
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…
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, […]
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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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 […]
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, […]