Jared Cannonier is in his fourth consecutive main event spot, third in a fight night event at UFC Louisville against Nassourdine Imavov. Former champ Sean Strickland retained his number one spot in the middleweight ranking at UFC 302, and Cannonier will look to enhance his prospects at Louisville.
After he defeated Paulo Costa, Strickland revealed he had no intention of fighting other than for a title shot. Cannonier, who holds a victory over Strickland, albeit via split decision, has aligned with the views of his former foe, as evidenced by his interview with MMAJunkie.
It’s a circus out there, man. Everybody talking about [Robert[ Whittaker and stuff. And I think Sean [Strickland] has a good point when he talks, not Whittaker, about [Israel] Adesanya versus Dricus [Du Plessis]. And I think Sean Strickland has a good point when it comes to making that match-up, you know? I think Sean deserves that rematch more than then Whitaker deserves a match-up.
Jared Cannonier via MMAJunkie
Robert Whittaker will headline UFC Riyadh against Khamzat Chimaev in a number-one contender fight. Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya is likely the next title fight at middleweight, potentially headlining UFC 305. Strickland had criticized the UFC for potentially giving the next title shot to Adesanya, whose last fight was a loss against Strickland.
Interestingly, Strickland holds a victory over Nassourdine Imavov, Cannonier’s upcoming opponent. Imavov has clamored for a rematch with Strickland, but ‘Tarzan’ has no interest in it. If victorious against Imavov, Cannonier will likely be in a potential number-one contender fight or might get a title shot, though chances are slim.
Jared Cannonier receives a 50-time perfect test jacket
Jared Cannonier is the oldest fighter in the middleweight rankings. At 40, Cannonier has defied the odds. Cannonier had a record-breaking performance against the much younger Marvin Vettori in his last matchup. However, commentators overshadowed his performance, citing Vettori’s toughness.
Jared Cannonier (Image via: IMAGO)Nonetheless, nothing can overshadow his 50-time perfect test jacket accomplishment. Jeff Novitzky, Senior Vice President of Athlete Health and Performance, handed the jacket to Cannonier and praised the middleweight for his clean test. Novitzky praised Cannonier for being clean for 3200 days straight.
Cannonier is an athletic specimen at middleweight. That wasn’t the case when he debuted in the UFC as a heavyweight and light heavyweight. Novitzky stated Cannonier’s present athletic condition was only through hard work and fair means. Drug-Free Sports International is now the UFC’s anti-doping partner. Novitkzy had blasted the USADA, the former anti-doping partner, for flagging Islam Makhachev in the past.
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