Jared Cannonier Facing Dilemma Between Title Aspirations, New Fight Offer

Jared Cannonier (17-6) is at a crucial juncture in his Ultimate Fighting Championship career.

Currently No. 4 in the middleweight division according to the UFC rankings, Cannonier’s title aspirations have been reignited by Sean Strickland’s recent title win over Israel Adesanya at UFC 293. 

“The Killa Gorilla” scored a controversial split decision win over Strickland last December, which “Tarzan” contests to this day. Cannonier believes Adesanya’s performance against Strickland doesn’t warrant an immediate rematch and has made his case for the next title shot. 

Cannonier, who was also the backup for the UFC 293 headliner, has now been offered another fight, but he isn’t especially excited about the opportunity.

"They’ve offered me a fight already, and it’s not as tempting as a title fight,” Cannonier told Sportskeeda MMA Originals. “You know what I mean? Hell, it’s not even as tempting as my last fight, to be honest.” 

There have also previously been talks of a potential clash between Cannonier and Khamzat Chimaev at middleweight. According to Cannonier, Chimaev is a bigger draw than the opponent he has been offered.

“I mean, Chimaev is a bigger piece of meat than what they offered me,” Cannonier said. “So, when I go in there and smash him, they can’t deny me the title shot, I mean theoretically.” 

However, Cannonier isn't completely dismissing the idea of accepting the UFC’s current offer and is waiting on Strickland’s next move.

“I wanna hear what the champ has to say about what he wants next…When he fought me he wasn’t screaming in my face,” Cannonier said. “He wasn’t walking forward when he fought me. He was dodging bombs.”