MMA News

Tag: Jared Cannonier

  • “The Most Disrespectful Non-Disrespectful Fighting Style Of All Time” – Fighters & Fans Praise Michael Page’s Output As He Scores Decision Over Jared Cannonier At UFC 319

    “The Most Disrespectful Non-Disrespectful Fighting Style Of All Time” – Fighters & Fans Praise Michael Page’s Output As He Scores Decision Over Jared Cannonier At UFC 319

    Michael Page will be a ranked UFC fighter come Tuesday, as he scored a victory over Jared Cannonier at UFC 319.

    Cannonier tried to close the distance to land on Page, but MVP kept on the outside and used his long range to his advantage. He consistently tagged Cannonier, including a counter punch that dropped Cannonier briefly. “The Gorilla” briefly was able to get a hold of Page and placed him against the fence, but he didn’t do anything with it.

    Page continued to do work in the second round, scoring another knockdown with a one-two combination and taunting Cannonier while trying to keep distance. Cannonier finally got the fight to the ground and held Page there for the third round. He attempted a couple of submissions, but they were for naught.

    Page took the decision on all three judges’ scorecards, 29-28.

    Michael Page Scores Judges’ Nod Over Jared Cannonier At UFC 319

    Page is now 3-1 in the UFC, having also bested Kevin Holland Shara Magomedov. His sole loss came against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 303.

    Cannonier is now 3-3 in his last six. He came into this fight off a knockout of Gregory “Robocop” Rodrigues.

  • Michael ‘Venom’ Page Ready to Make Headlines with Statement Knockout in the UFC

    Michael ‘Venom’ Page Ready to Make Headlines with Statement Knockout in the UFC

    Michael ‘Venom’ Page is ready to deliver something spectacular in Chicago.

    After taking Shara Magomedov’s ‘O’ in February, the former Bellator star will step back inside the Octagon this Saturday, August 16, for a high-stakes scrap with perennial middleweight contender Jared Cannonier at UFC 319.

    Thus far, Page is 2-1 under the UFC banner, with a pair of fairly dominant decision victories over ‘Bullet’ and Kevin Holland. But this time, ‘Venom’ plans to make a statement and give fans a moment to remember in ‘The Windy City.’

    “I’ve always gone into a fight wanting a knockout,” Page told Ariel Helwani while discussing his upcoming clash with Cannonier. “I go in there to deliver that to the fans.”

    Page may not be necessarily known for delivering highlight-reel knockouts, but that doesn’t mean he’s incapable of doing so. Just ask Evangelista Santos…

    Clinging to his No. 8 spot in the middleweight rankings, Cannonier will look to score a second straight win after delivering an impressive bounce-back performance against Gregory ‘Robocop’ Rodrigues in February. Before that, ‘Killa Gorilla’ had dropped back-to-back bouts Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho — two fighters who will face off at UFC Paris to determine the middleweight division’s next title contender.

    ‘Venom’ claims political B.S. prompted his move up from welterweight to middleweight

    Page typically competes at welterweight, but after struggling to get big-name fights in his home division, ‘Venom’ decided to make the move up to middleweight where things aren’t nearly as political.

    “I want all the smoke, I want to go where the smoke is,” Page told The Independent. “It feels like the guys in the welterweight division are not carrying any fire. It seems to be very political, it’s a bit too technical about who fights who.

    “There’s even more people with even more claims of getting that title shot [than at middleweight], so a lot of people don’t want to take those dangerous fights if they don’t have to. And to add to the welterweight division, Islam [Makhachev] is moving up as well now, which just holds up the division even more.”

    A win over Cannonier in ‘Chi-Town’ would skyrocket Page into the top 10 of the middleweight division, instantly making him a contender in not one, but two weight classes.

  • Gregory Rodrigues Blames Weight Cut For Jared Cannonier Loss: ‘I Had Serious Issues…’

    Gregory Rodrigues Blames Weight Cut For Jared Cannonier Loss: ‘I Had Serious Issues…’

    UFC middleweight contender Gregory Rodrigues has spoken publicly for the first time since his crushing loss to Jared Cannonier at the Apex this past weekend.

    Off the back of three straight wins, Rodrigues had the opportunity to break into the top 10 and title picture at 185 pounds. Headlining for the first time, the Brazilian’s shot at a major climb up the ladder came opposite a divisional veteran in Cannonier.

    Despite a strong start that saw him drop “The Killa Gorilla” twice, Rodrigues was unable to make good on his favorite status, fading as the rounds went on before eventually being stopped with strikes in the penultimate frame.

    “Robocop” addressed his defeat for the first time on Tuesday, claiming that severe issues during last week’s weight cut hampered his ability to compete at his best on fight night.

    “It’s my birthday today, and even though it was a tough day at work, I’m grateful for everything God has done and continues to do in my life,” Rodrigues said in a statement on Instagram. “Big thanks to the @ufc team for the opportunity. I’m truly honored to have shared the octagon with the No. 7 in the division. Cannonier is a highly experienced fighter who taught me a lot in this fight! I saw several details that can be improved, things that will be changed. Winning Fight of the Night was a gift for two warriors who weren’t afraid to go to battle.

    “Most people don’t know this, but I had serious issues on my recovery after weight cut. My body just wasn’t responding. I keep wondering how things would’ve played out if I had been at 100 percent. But no sad stories here. Robocop never dies! Time to recharge, reset the system, and upgrade, because I’m just getting started! Huge thanks for all the love, to my friends and family who always stand by my side, and to my real fans, you guys outshine the haters every time! Much love to my coaches at @killcliff_fc, my strength team @ihpfit, and my doctors & nutritionist @marceloferronutricao! Thank you all.”

    Rodrigues will now look to polish up his weight cut and ensure similar issues don’t arise when he returns in pursuit of an immediate bounce back to the winner’s circle.

    Cannonier, meanwhile, is looking for an opponent who can keep his championship hopes alive. While “The Killa Gorilla” appears unsure of who that could be, former champion Michael Bisping recently proposed a rematch with Robert Whittaker.

  • Michael Bisping Pitches ‘Rematch 5 Years In The Making’ For Jared Cannonier After UFC Vegas 102

    Michael Bisping Pitches ‘Rematch 5 Years In The Making’ For Jared Cannonier After UFC Vegas 102

    While Jared Cannonier might be unsure about his next step following Saturday’s result, one former champion thinks he’s got just the idea for the UFC middleweight contender.

    Cannonier proved that he’s got plenty left in the tank this past weekend when he headlined the latest UFC Fight Night at the Apex in Las Vegas.

    Though he entered the cage as the underdog, the former title challenger overcame a couple of early knockdowns to turn the tide on Gregory Rodrigues en route to a TKO stoppage in the opening exchanges of round four.

    Moving forward, “The Killa Gorilla” has admitted that his past results and the landscape of the division leaves him in a tricky position when it comes to rising the ranks.

    But during a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Bisping identified a second dance with a top contender that the former champ believes makes perfect sense.

    “A rematch five years in the making, I think that makes all the sense in the world,” Bisping said about Cannonier running it back with Robert Whittaker. “Robert would want it because he’d look at it as a good fight to find his mojo, to come back from, to get a win, to get back in the win column, to beat somebody that he’s beaten before.

    “And, of course, for Jared Cannonier, at 40 years old, Robert Whittaker is a massive household name in mixed martial arts,” Bisping continued. “Everyone would want to see that fight and it’s a chance for Jared to get that one back.”

    Whittaker has been out of action since having his surge toward another championship fight emphatically stalled by Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi last October.

    Having previously won back-to-back contests opposite Paulo Costa and Ikram Aliskerov, the Australian remains close to the top and will be looking to revive his ongoing title ambitions in 2025.

    With that, perhaps a second meeting with Cannonier could be in store. The pair previously did battle at UFC 254 in 2020, with Whittaker’s success on the feet including a broken arm suffered by “The Killa Gorilla” and culminating in a unanimous decision win.

  • Jared Cannonier Assesses Options After UFC Vegas 102 Win, Always ‘Ready’ For Dricus Du Plessis

    Jared Cannonier Assesses Options After UFC Vegas 102 Win, Always ‘Ready’ For Dricus Du Plessis

    Jared Cannonier finds himself in a positive yet somewhat uncertain position following his recent victory at UFC Vegas 102.

    His fourth-round TKO win over Gregory Rodrigues — a comeback after a tough first round — snapped a two-fight losing skid and provided a much-needed boost to his career.

    Cannonier acknowledged the personal and professional challenges he faced leading up to the fight. While the victory brought him a sense of peace, the 40-year-old remains unsure about his next move.

    He is aiming for higher-ranked opponents, but his long-standing contender status complicates his options in the middleweight division.

    “If you were to look at the rankings, I would like a ranked opponent for sure,” Cannonier said. “I think for sure, I’m going to get a ranked opponent after that victory. I would like to fight a ranking higher than me. Unfortunately, all the people ranked higher than me are either in line for a title shot, on their way to a title shot, or just beat me. But I’m not going to rule anything out.

    “If they say, ‘Hey, Jared, we need you to fight Dricus for the belt,’ I’m like, ‘Hell yes. I’m ready.’”

  • Jared Cannonier Comes Back From Two Knockdowns To Batter Gregory Rodrigues In UFC Vegas 102 Main Event

    Jared Cannonier Comes Back From Two Knockdowns To Batter Gregory Rodrigues In UFC Vegas 102 Main Event

    Despite being troubled very early on in the UFC Vegas 102 main event, Jared Cannonier pulled off a major comeback to score a fourth-round finish of Gregory Rodrigues.

    “Robocop” brought the power from the opening round, dropping “The Killa Gorilla” twice with a couple of solid shots. Cannonier, however, managed to score a takedown late in the round, trying to steal momentum.

    Rodrigues continued to land solid strikes during the second round but his pace began to slow. The former title challenger, meanwhile, took advantage by picking up his own striking. He continued this output in the third, and emphasized his dominance with a late elbow that knocked “Robocop” down. Cannonier then threw some heavy ground-and-pound, nearly scoring the finish.

    Jared Cannonier Rallies To Stop Gregory Rodrigues In UFC Vegas 102 Main Event

    He’d find it in the fourth, however, pressuring and dominating for mere seconds before more punches folded Rodrigues.

    Cannonier stops a two-fight skid with the victory tonight. He’s now 3-2 following an unsuccessful middleweight title shot against Israel Adesanya at UFC 276 — with one of those three wins coming over another former champion in Sean Strickland.

    Rodrigues, who reached the fourth round for the first time in his professional MMA career, sees a three-fight win streak snapped. He entered tonight with five wins in his previous six outings.

  • UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Jared Cannonier TKOs Gregory Rodrigues 

    UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Jared Cannonier TKOs Gregory Rodrigues 

    UFC Fight Night took place tonight from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights! 

    In the main event, middleweights Jared Cannonier and Gregory Rodrigues clashed. While in the co-main event, Calvin Kattar faced Youssef Zalal in a featherweight matchup. 

    UFC Fight Night Results: Main Card

    • Middleweight: Jared Cannonier def. Gregory Rodrigues via TKO: R4, 0.21  
    • Featherweight: Youssef Zalal def. Calvin Kattar via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
    • Middleweight: Edmen Shahbazyan def. Dylan Budka via TKO: R1, 1:35
    • Lightweight: Nazim Sadykhov def. Ismael Bonfim via TKO (doctor’s stoppage): R1, 5:00
    • Middleweight: Andre Petroski def. Rodolfo Vieira via unanimous decision (29-28×3)

    Preliminary Card

    • Featherweight: Jose Delgado def. Connor Matthews via KO: R1, 2.58
    • Women’s Strawweight: Angela Hill def. Ketlen Souza via split decision (29-28×2, 28-29)
    • Flyweight: Rafael Estevam def. Jesus Aguilar via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
    • Welterweight: Gabriel Bonfim def. Khaos Williams via submission: R2, 4.58
    • Bantamweight: Elijah Smith def. Vince Morales via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
    • Heavyweight: Valter Walker def. Don’Tale Mayes via submission: R1, 1.17
    • Women’s Bantamweight: Julia Cavalcanti def. Julia Avila def via unanimous decision (30-27×3)

    Preliminary Card Highlights 

    Valter Walker def. Don’Tale Mayes

    In this heavyweight bout, Valter Walker took just over a minute to submit Don’Tale Mayes with a heel hook.

    Gabriel Bonfim def. Khaos Williams

    Gabriel Bonfim got the win via submission against Khaos Williams in this welterweight bout.

    Jose Delgado def. Connor Matthews

    In this featherweight bout, Jose Delgado earned a KO of Connor Matthews in the first round.

    Main Card Highlights

    Nazim Sadykhov def. Ismael Bonfim

    Nazim Sadykhov was awarded the victory over Ismael Bonfim after the latter sustained an eye injury, causing the cageside doctor to call off the fight.

    Edmen Shahbazyan def. Dylan Budka

    In this middleweight bout, Edmen Shahbazyan took just over 90 seconds to stop Dylan Budka.

    Youssef Zalal def. Calvin Kattar

    In the co-main event, Youssef Zalal earned the win on the scorecards against Calvin Kattar.

    Jared Cannonier def. Gregory Rodrigues

    In the main event, Jared Cannonier stopped Gregory Rodrigues in the fourth round of their middleweight bout.

  • Jared Cannonier On ‘Gatekeeper’ Position Ahead Of Gregory Rodrigues Fight: You Can Consider Me The Sacrificial Lamb

    Jared Cannonier On ‘Gatekeeper’ Position Ahead Of Gregory Rodrigues Fight: You Can Consider Me The Sacrificial Lamb

    Jared Cannonier acknowledges that some may view him as a “gatekeeper” in the UFC middleweight division, though he doesn’t personally subscribe to that label.

    Since his unsuccessful title challenge against Israel Adesanya in 2022, Cannonier has posted a mixed record, going 2-2 with back-to-back losses in 2024.

    Now, he looks to bounce back in the main event of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night against the surging Gregory Rodrigues, who enters the bout on a three-fight win streak. The matchup represents a significant step up in competition for Rodrigues.

    “I think he’s pretty much earned what he’s done,” Cannonier said during media day. “I guess you can consider me the sacrificial lamb in that regard, right? This is the name of the game: we fight each other. I try to separate the emotional aspect from what we’re doing here. This is a business. We’re doing business. So that’s just it. Plus, my last two fights were of the same essence, if you will… same situation again.”

    While Cannonier acknowledges the perception of him as a “gatekeeper,” he doesn’t embrace the label.

    He cites his most recent fight against No. 12-ranked Caio Borralho — the largest ranking disparity in a fight since his title shot — as an example of why some may see him in that role.

    “I don’t know, that onus will be put on the guys who are facing off against the contenders, i.e., myself,” Cannonier said. “I’m losing these fights against the up-and-comers and opening the door for them. I don’t want to say it, but it’s not that I’ve found myself in a gatekeeper sort of position, but it kind of smells like it if you’re on the outside, you know what I mean?

    “I’m just analyzing it for you. You’re asking the question; I’m doing some analysis on it. This isn’t how I feel. I don’t really consider all this sh*t when I’m thinking about what I’m doing on a daily basis or when I’m matching up with these guys. I’m just getting prepared to go to war with another big up-and-comer.”

  • UFC Fight Night: Jared Cannonier vs. Gregory Rodrigues Weigh-In Results: One Fight Canceled

    UFC Fight Night: Jared Cannonier vs. Gregory Rodrigues Weigh-In Results: One Fight Canceled

    UFC Fight Night: Jared Cannonier vs. Gregory Rodrigues 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 in Sydney last weekend, the mixed martial arts leader is back at its home base of the Apex.

    Headlining will once again be the middleweights, as perennial main-eventer and former title challenger Jared Cannonier looks to stall the surge of another rising name at 185 pounds in Gregory Rodrigues.

    Elsewhere, the likes of featherweight contender Calvin Kattar, once-highly touted middleweight Edmen Shahbazyan, and strawweight veteran Angela Hill will be in action.

    UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Rodrigues Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Rodrigues takes place on Saturday, February 15, at the Apex facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, with the preliminary card starting at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT.

    See above for a replay of the weigh-ins via MMA Junkie, and check out the results below.

    Main Card:

    • Middleweight: Jared Cannonier (185.5lbs) vs. Gregory Rodrigues (186lbs)
    • Featherweight: Calvin Kattar (146lbs) vs. Youssef Zalal (146lbs)
    • Middleweight: Edmen Shahbazyan (185.5lbs) vs. Dylan Budka (186lbs)
    • Lightweight: Ismail Bonfim (156lbs) vs. Nazim Sadykhov (156lbs)
    • Middleweight: Rodolfo Vieira (185.5lbs) vs. Andre Petroski (186lbs)
    • Featherweight: Connor Matthews (146lbs) vs. Jose Delgado (146lbs)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Women’s Strawweight: Angela Hill (115.5lbs) vs. Ketlen Souza (115.5lbs)
    • Lightweight: Jared Gordon vs. Mashrabjon Ruzibaev*
    • Flyweight: Rafael Estevam (126lbs) vs. Jesus Aguilar (125.5lbs)
    • Welterweight: Gabriel Bonfim (170.5lbs) vs. Khaos Williams (169.5lbs)
    • Bantamweight: Vince Morales (136lbs) vs. Elijah Smith (135.5lbs)
    • Heavyweight: Don’Tale Mayes (266lbs) vs. Valter Walker (245lbs)
    • Women’s Bantamweight: Julia Avila (135.5lbs) vs. Julia Cavalcanti (134.5lbs)

    *The lightweight bout between Jared Gordon and Mashrabjon Ruzibaev was canceled due to an issue with the latter.

  • Jared Cannonier vs. Gregory Rodrigues In The Works For UFC Fight Night Main Event On Feb. 15

    Jared Cannonier vs. Gregory Rodrigues In The Works For UFC Fight Night Main Event On Feb. 15

    High-profile fights are beginning to come together for 2025, and the latest report places longtime middleweight contender Jared Cannonier in another UFC Fight Night main event.

    Cannonier (17-8), who sits alongside Conor McGregor as one of two fighters to have recorded knockout victories in three different weight classes, has slipped down the pecking order at 185 pounds.

    A controversial stoppage loss to Nassourdine Imavov and decision defeat in a Fight of the Night with Caio Borralho has seen “The Killa Gorilla” go 0-2 in 2024. Having fallen to his first losing skid as a middleweight, the #8-ranked Cannonier is in need of a rebound performance next year to maintain his spot inside the top 10.

    And per MMA Mania’s Alex Behunin, that’ll come in a fifth consecutive main event for the 40-year-old, this time opposite a first-time headliner in Gregory Rodrigues (16-5) at the Apex-held UFC Fight Night on Feb. 15.

    Rodrigues has gained a reputation as an all-action fighter at 185 pounds since debuting following LFA championship success three years ago.

    While losses to Armen Petrosyan and Brunno Ferreira stalled his rise, “Robocop” is currently on his best UFC run to date, having won three straight over Denis Tiuliulin, Brad Tavares, and Christian Leroy Duncan.

    With this addition, the current fights expected to take place at UFC Fight Night on Feb. 15 are as follows:

    • Jared Cannonier vs. Gregory Rodrigues (middleweight main event)
    • Gabriel Bonfim vs. Rinat Fakhretdinov (welterweight)
    • Juliana Miller vs. Carli Judice (women’s flyweight)
    • Jacob Malkoun vs. Rodolfo Vieira (middleweight)
    • Julia Avila vs. Jacqueline Cavalcanti (women’s bantamweight)
    • Jose Delgado vs. Connor Matthews (featherweight)
    • Billy Goff vs. Nikolay Veretennikov (welterweight)
  • Caio Borralho Reveals ‘Mantra’ Of Training Camp For Jared Cannonier Win: ‘The New Champ Has Arrived’

    Caio Borralho Reveals ‘Mantra’ Of Training Camp For Jared Cannonier Win: ‘The New Champ Has Arrived’

    The future appears to be bright for Caio Borralho after pulling off a decision win over Jared Cannonier in the main event of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night card at the Apex.

    The two had a hard-fought battle filled with plenty of strikes. Borralho’s kicks seemed to get the better of Cannonier in the first round before the former title challenger found a groove with his punches in the second.

    They were even in terms of striking numbers in the third, but “The Natural” managed to get “The Killa Gorilla” wobbly late in the frame. Cannonier battled back in the fourth round by delivering with his power, forming heavy damage around one of Borralho’s eyes.

    The Brazilian managed to gain the fifth round, however, by dropping Cannonier with a one-two in the closing minutes and nearly scoring the finish.

    “I caught him with some good jabs, and I think all these jabs hide my left hand, and when I (was) touching with my left hand, he felt (it) all the times,” Borralho told Megan Olivi for ESPN. “But he’s so durable, you know? He’s so tough. He’s been with the best in the world so many years. Crazy. He was in the UFC in 2015. That was the year of my last defeat, my second MMA fight.”

    Caio Borralho Claims He Is A New Champ On The Rise

    Borralho ventured his way into the UFC after a pair of wins over Aaron Jeffrey and Jesse Murray on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021. Since then, “The Natural,” representing the Fighting Nerds team, has surged upward in momentum by defeating the likes of Paul Craig, Michał Oleksiejczuk, and Makhmud Muradov prior to Cannonier.

    Now with bigger opportunities in his future, in addition to his callout of champion Dricus Du Plessis in the Octagon, Borralho is expecting to be placed in the top five of the middleweight ranking when they’re updated next week.

    “I hope to see my name on Tuesday in the top five of this division,” Borralho said. “You know I’m coming for my belt. The mantra of this training camp was to show the new champ arrived. And I think everybody saw that (there is) a new champ on the rising [sic] – a guy that never gives up and (has) all skills.”

  • ‘Give Him Adesanya’ – MMA Fans React As Caio Borralho Outlasts Jared Cannonier In UFC Fight Night Main Event War

    ‘Give Him Adesanya’ – MMA Fans React As Caio Borralho Outlasts Jared Cannonier In UFC Fight Night Main Event War

    Caio Borralho represents the Fighting Nerds with pride and continued to do so with the biggest win of his career in Saturday’s UFC Fight Night main event, scoring a decision over Jared Cannonier.

    Borralho got Cannonier in trouble during the opening round, picking him apart with his kicks. The veteran contender and former title challenger, however, got himself on the board in the second rframe when he started to find his groove in his punching, which included a brief wobble of “The Natural” late in the round.

    The two had an action packed third stanza and were just about even in terms of significant strikes landed, especially to the head. Borralho, however, ended up getting Cannonier wobbly. And even when “The Killa Gorilla” tried to fight back with his power, he stumbled, showing he was still rocked. Cannonier, however, was able to survive the round.

    Borralho continued to bring heavy pressure in the fourth round, but the 40-year-old brought his power, landing damaging shots. By the end of the frame, notable swelling could be seen around one of Borralho’s eyes.

    But late in the fifth round, Borralho delivered again, landing a one-two that dropped Cannonier. The Brazilian scrambled and got to work with strong ground-and-pound. The American, however, managed to survive the attack and a subsequent choke attempt.

    That was enough for the judges, as two scored the fight 49-45 and one 48-46, all for Borralho.

    Caio Borralho Rocks Jared Cannonier Twice, Solidifies Himself As Middleweight Contender At UFC Fight Night

    https://twitter.com/Full_Violence/status/1827576506367021335
    https://twitter.com/SpxrtsMxster/status/1827577433865765054

    Borralho has won all but two of the fights in his professional career thus far. He’s 6-0 in the Octagon after winning a contract through a victory over current Bellator fighter Aaron Jeffrey on Dana White’s Contender Series. He entered this fight coming off a knockout of Paul Craig at UFC 301, and Borralho will now find himself in the mix of top middleweight contenders.

    Borralho used his post-fight interview to call out Dricus Du Plessis, who retained his UFC middleweight title against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia, last weekend.

    Cannonier, meanwhile, has now lost two straight and three of his last five, stretching back to his unsuccessful challenge of then-champion Adesanya at UFC 276 in the summer of 2022.

  • UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Caio Borralho Decisions Jared Cannonier

    UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Caio Borralho Decisions Jared Cannonier

    UFC Fight Night took place tonight from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights! 

    In the main event, ranked middleweights Jared Cannonier (#5) and Caio Borralho (#12) clashed. While in the co-main event, Angela Hill faced Tabatha Ricci in a strawweight matchup. The event also featured this year’s TUF finales.

    UFC Fight Night Results: Main Card

    • Middleweight Main Event: Caio Borralho def. Jared Cannonier via unanimous decision (49- 45×2, 48-46)
    • Women’s Strawweight Co-Main Event: Tabatha Ricci def. Angela Hill via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
    • Middleweight (TUF 32 Finale): Robert Valentin def. Ryan Loder via TKO: R2, 1.49
    • Featherweight (TUF 32 Finale): Mairon Santos def. Kaan Ofli via KO: R2, 1.30
    • Welterweight: Michael Morales def. Neil Magny via TKO: R1, 4.39 
    • Middleweight: Gerald Meerschaert def. Edmen Shahbazyan via submission: R2, 4.12

    Preliminary Card

    • Lightweight: Francis Marshall def. Dennis Buzukja via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29) 
    • Middleweight: Zachary Reese def. Jose Medina via split decision via unanimous decision (30-27×3)
    • Lightweight: Viacheslav Borshchev def. James Llontop via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29)
    • Women’s Bantamweight: Jacqueline Cavalcanti def. Josiane Nunes via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 27-30)

    Women’s Flyweight: Wang Cong def. Victoria Leonardo via KO: R1, 1.02 

    Preliminary Card Highlights

    Wang Cong def. Victoria Leonardo

    Making her UFC debut, Wang Cong took just over a minute to KO Victoria Leonardo in their flyweight bout.

    Main Card Highlights

    Gerald Meerschaert def. Edmen Shahbazyan

    Gerald Meerschaert came from behind to submit Edmen Shahbazyan with an arm triangle in the second round.

    Michael Morales def. Neil Magny 

    In this welterweight bout, Michael Morales got it done with a TKO of Neil Magny in the first round.

    Mairon Santos def. Kaan Ofli

    Mairon Santos earned a UFC contract after finishing Kaan Ofli in the TUF 32 featherweight finale.

    Robert Valentin def. Ryan Loder

    Robert Valentin earned a spot in the UFC after stopping Ryan Loder in the TUF 32 middleweight finale.

    Tabatha Ricci def. Angela Hill

    In the co-main event, Tabatha Ricci earned a unanimous decision win against Angela Hill.

    Caio Borralho def. Jared Cannonier

    In the main event, Caio Borralho earned a unanimous decision against Jared Cannonier.

  • UFC Fight Night: Jared Cannonier vs. Caio Borralho Weigh-In Results

    UFC Fight Night: Jared Cannonier vs. Caio Borralho Weigh-In Results

    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 at the Apex facility in Las Vegas.

    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 (184lbs) vs. Caio Borralho (186lbs)
    • Women’s Strawweight Co-Main Event: Angela Hill (115.5lbs) vs. Tabatha Ricci (115lbs)
    • Middleweight (TUF 32 Finale): Robert Valentin (185lbs) vs. Ryan Loder (186lbs)
    • Featherweight (TUF 32 Finale): Kaan Ofli (145lbs) vs. Mairon Santos (146lbs)
    • Welterweight: Neil Magny (170lbs) vs. Michael Morales (171lbs)
    • Middleweight: Edmen Shahbazyan (184.5lbs) vs. Gerald Meerschaert (185lbs)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Lightweight: Dennis Buzukja (155.5lbs) vs. Francis Marshall (156lbs)
    • Middleweight: Zachary Reese (184.5lbs) vs. Jose Medina (186lbs)
    • Lightweight: Viacheslav Borshchev (155.5lbs) vs. James Llontop (154.5lbs)
    • Women’s Bantamweight: Jacqueline Cavalcanti (135lbs) vs. Josiane Nunes (136lbs)
    • Featherweight: Zygimantas Ramaska (146lbs) vs. Nathan Fletcher (145.5lbs)
    • Women’s Flyweight: Wang Cong (125lbs) vs. Victoria Leonardo (125lbs)
  • Jared Cannonier Dismisses Caio Borralho’s Grappling Superiority Ahead Of UFC Fight Night Main Event: ‘I Fought Glover Teixeira!’

    Jared Cannonier Dismisses Caio Borralho’s Grappling Superiority Ahead Of UFC Fight Night Main Event: ‘I Fought Glover Teixeira!’

    Jared Cannonier looks to return to the win column this weekend by turning back a UFC middleweight contender on the rise.

    Caio Borralho has won six in a row to find himself in this position, but in Cannonier, he faces by far his toughest test to date.

    Despite what fans saw from him last time out at UFC 301, where he stopped Paul Craig in devastating fashion, the Brazilian is better known for his grappling skills.

    Given the high-level opposition that he has faced during his time competing at both middleweight and several other weight classes in the UFC, this isn’t something that is going to faze “The Killa Gorilla.”

    Jared Cannonier Doesn’t Understand Why People Underestimate His Grappling

    In a recent interview with MMA Junkie ahead of this weekend’s middleweight main event, Cannonier was asked whether, in his mind, this fight boils down to if he can stop Borralho from having success with his takedowns.

    The 185-pound stalwart doesn’t have this point of view and isn’t afraid to let his opponent test his grappling if that’s the way things end up going. He believes that his ground game is slept on by the rest of the division, potentially because you very rarely see opponents try to take him down.

    “If he ends up on the bottom, it’s not going to be too good for him down there either, so I got all the confidence in my ground game,” Cannonier said. “I don’t know why people think my ground game isn’t good. I haven’t been submitted in the UFC, I haven’t been submitted in my career.

    “When I was green, I fought Glover Teixeira. I spent a lot of time underneath him and didn’t get tapped, and I was green as far as my grappling goes back then,” Cannonier continued. “I’m much better now. I’m attacking you guys. If you guys think you want to take me down, you’re more than welcome to try.”

    Cannonier believes Borralho and the rest of the middleweight division could be in for a shock if the ground is where they think his weakness is.

  • Caio Borralho Reveals Best Way To Beat Jared Cannonier & Fight ‘Strangest Guy In the Division’ Dricus Du Plessis

    Caio Borralho Reveals Best Way To Beat Jared Cannonier & Fight ‘Strangest Guy In the Division’ Dricus Du Plessis

    Caio Borralho, who fights Jared Cannonier this weekend, has been undefeated in professional MMA since 2015. The former Future FC middleweight champ entered the UFC through Dana White’s Contender Series and has racked up six wins in the promotion.

    After defeating the likes of Abus Magomedov and Paul Craig, Borralho will face the No. 5 ranked UFC middleweight. This is arguably his toughest test yet, as Cannonier is a veteran with explosive knockout power.

    The Brazilian prospect aims to get a title shot after his seventh straight win in the UFC. Here’s how he would like to beat Cannonier to stand alongside other top middleweight contenders like Robert Whittaker and Sean Strickland…

    Caio Borralho Highlights The Importance Of Putting On A ‘Mature Performance’ Against Jared Cannonier

    Borralho discussed his next UFC fight on Michael Bisping’s Believe You Me Podcast recently. Although he’s prepared for adversity, “The Natural” looks forward to controlling the fight and landing the perfect KO shot or submission.

    At middleweight, Cannonier has been a hard nut to crack for most fighters, except for Israel Adesanya and Whittaker. His last loss to Nassourdine Imavov was seen as an early stoppage by many, including Borralho.

    As a result, “The Natural” understands the significance of an impressive win over Cannonier who’s always hard to take out or dominate.

    “Bisping, I’m finishing him with an amazing performance, like a mature performance. That’s what I need to show the UFC. A mature performance against a top contender, you know. For sure, I’m looking for the KO or for submitting him but the perfect way is that I’m gonna go there, be on his face all the time, put some jabs on him, get some good defense, and then catch him with a good counter punch.”

    Borralho looked back at the two occasions he’s called out Dricus Du Plessis after winning in the UFC. Interestingly, the UFC middleweight kingpin responded to one of his callouts on X, asking him to get a couple more wins in the promotion.

    Borralho has bagged three wins in the UFC since this interaction, which explains why he wants to get inside the Octagon with Du Plessis next.

    “I’m willing to face the strangest guy in the division. And I’m willing to beat his a**. You know, that’s what I’m going to say because I’ve been calling out him two times already so I think the third time UFC gonna hear me after a great feature on Cannonier.”

  • MMA Analyst Feels UFC Trying To Cut Costs With Jared Cannonier vs. Caio Borralho Fight: ‘He’s Still On That S**tty Contract’

    MMA Analyst Feels UFC Trying To Cut Costs With Jared Cannonier vs. Caio Borralho Fight: ‘He’s Still On That S**tty Contract’

    Josh Thomson recently suggested that the UFC might be cutting costs with the upcoming matchup between Jared Cannonier and Caio Borralho.

    The two middleweight contenders are poised to square off in the main event of a UFC Fight Night this Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    Cannonier is fresh off a contentious fourth-round TKO loss to Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night Louisville this past June. This setback halted the momentum “The Killa Gorilla” had built with his dominant consecutive victories over Marvin Vettori and Sean Strickland.

    Meanwhile, Borralho is riding high after delivering an impressive second-round knockout of Paul Craig at UFC 301 in May. “The Natural” is currently on a six-fight win streak, fueled by his back-to-back standout performances at Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021.

    This fight offers distinct opportunities for both fighters: Cannonier is eager to reestablish himself in the title conversation, while Borralho is aiming to break into the top 10 middleweight rankings with a victory this weekend.

    Thomson Believes UFC Sees Greater Potential In Borralho For The Future

    During a recent episode of the WEIGHING IN podcast with former MMA referee “Big” John McCarthy, Thomson delved into why the UFC might have paired a seasoned veteran like Cannonier with a rising prospect such as Borralho.

    “The Punk” speculated that the UFC might either be banking on the Brazilian to rise as a future force in the middleweight division or that this matchup could simply be a strategic move to trim expenses.

    “I think it’s two reasons why they do,” Thomson said. “One is Caio Borralho is someone we’re not paying a lot of money right now, and we’re probably paying Jared Cannonier maybe double, so that’s one reason. Second is Jared Cannonier is 40 years old, and we’re paying him all that money, but we know he won’t be around much longer.”

    “So let’s see if we can get the young stud an opportunity to get a win over a highly ranked fighter, and we can get him to fight top-level fighters for less money because he’s still on that sh*tty contract. So they’re going to keep—that’s the way this business works.”

  • Classy Jared Cannonier Doesn’t Hold Anything Against Referee Jason Herzog For Controversial Imavov Stoppage: ‘He’s Human’

    Classy Jared Cannonier Doesn’t Hold Anything Against Referee Jason Herzog For Controversial Imavov Stoppage: ‘He’s Human’

    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.”

    Despite the controversy, “The Killa Gorilla,” who is set to make his return to the Octagon this Saturday to headline a Fight Night event against the undefeated Caio Borralho, insists that he holds no grudges against Herzog for the loss…

    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.

  • Caio Borralho Confident Of Beating ‘Old Man’ Jared Cannonier: ‘I Don’t Mean To Be Disrespectful…’ 

    Caio Borralho Confident Of Beating ‘Old Man’ Jared Cannonier: ‘I Don’t Mean To Be Disrespectful…’ 

    UFC middleweight contender Caio Borralho believes his youth will play a major factor against Jared Cannonier in their upcoming main event.

    The promotion recently announced a late-notice headliner for the UFC Fight Night at the Apex on August 24, with former 185-pound title challenger and top-five contender Cannonier defending his position on the ladder against a charging up-and-comer.

    Borralho is unbeaten in 15 fights since defeat in just his second professional bout, and he’s extended that run with a perfect 6-0 UFC record since breaking through on Dana White’s Contender Series three years ago.

    Having most recently knocked out Paul Craig in emphatic fashion at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro to climb to #12 in the middleweight pecking order, “The Natural” has received a major opportunity.

    And although “The Killa Gorilla” marks a big step up in competition for him, the Brazilian expects to be sharing the cage with a fading vet later this month…

    Borralho Sees Clear Advantage Over ‘Aging’ Cannonier

    During an interview with Mike Owens for InsideFighting, Borralho looked ahead to his recently announced maiden headliner on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

    While “The Natural” acknowledged the “scary” nature of Cannonier’s power, which has helped him become one of just two fighters to record knockouts across three UFC divisions, he believes the veteran is slowing down.

    And with the Brazilian approaching his prime as he rises the ranks at 185 pounds, Borralho is expecting to be the one who “breaks” the 40-year-old.

    “He’s number five in the world, so I think it will be a great opportunity for me to show my work and what I’m capable of,” Borralho said. “I’m very excited about this fight because Jared is a very scary guy; fought in three divisions, great knockout power. In the middleweight division, he’s only lost to two former champions. … He lost to Imavov but I think it was an early stoppage.

    “I think he’s a good guy to face because it’s gonna really test myself, and that’s what I really want. … I think it’s gonna be another clinical victory for myself,” Borralho continued. “(Cannonier) was slowing down (against Imavov). I saw his fight against Strickland; he did a very good pace, was with a good gas tank. But he was 37, I think 38. Now he’s 40, almost 41. I think the age — I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but I think the age is coming at him. He’s kind of slowing down and not with the same gas tank. I think this will be the breaking point because I’m gonna put the pressure on. … The old man’s not gonna take it, with all due respect.”

    Borralho will look to prove that assessment correct come fight night on August 24. In doing so, he’s hoping to next face current champion Dricus Du Plessis in a title eliminator, as he expects the South African to lose his gold at the hands of Israel Adesanya this month.

    Whether or not that plan comes to fruition remains to be seen, but either way, a strong result at the expense of “The Killa Gorilla” will certainly leave him with a prime position in the title picture.

  • Jared Cannonier vs. Caio Borralho Announced As Late-Notice UFC Fight Night Main Event On August 24

    Jared Cannonier vs. Caio Borralho Announced As Late-Notice UFC Fight Night Main Event On August 24

    The Apex-held UFC Fight Night on August 24 finally has its headliner, and it’ll see a pair of top middleweights throw down.

    With less than three weeks remaining until the Las Vegas card, the UFC revealed the main event for Aug. 24 on Tuesday, announcing that Jared Cannonier (17-7) will defend his top-five ranking against the fast-rising Caio Borralho (16-1, 1 NC).

    The late-notice bout marks relatively quick turnarounds for both men, with the American controversially defeated by Nassourdine Imavov this past June and the Brazilian up-and-comer getting the better of Paul Craig the previous month.

    Cannonier Looks To Rebound From Debated TKO Loss, Blemish Borralho’s Perfect UFC Record

    When he makes his return for a second headliner of the summer, the #5-ranked Cannonier will look to quickly erase the memory of his difficult setback two months ago.

    The former title challenger, who is one of just two fighters in UFC history to record knockouts in three different weight classes, has been pursuing a second shot at the 185-pound gold since falling short against Israel Adesanya in 2022. While that journey got underway well with wins over then-future champ Sean Strickland and Marvin Vettori, his progress was stalled in controversial fashion when referee Jason Herzog deemed him unable to continue following an onslaught from Imavov in their Louisville headliner.

    A couple of months on from that widely questioned setback, Cannonier will return for redemption at the expense of Borralho, a Dana White’s Contender Series alum who has risen to #12 in the division’s top 15 courtesy of a perfect 6-0 record inside the Octagon. “The Natural” most recently secured his second performance bonus by knocking out Craig at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro this past May.

    With this addition, the current fights expected to take place at the UFC Fight Night event on Aug. 24 are as follows:

    • Jared Cannonier vs. Caio Borralho (middleweight main event)
    • Neil Magny vs. Michael Morales (welterweight)
    • Angela Hill vs. Tabatha Ricci (women’s strawweight)
    • Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Gerald Meerschaert (middleweight)
    • Josiane Nunes vs. Jacqueline Cavalcanti (women’s bantamweight)
    • Dennis Buzukja vs. Danny Silva (featherweight)
    • José Medina vs. Zachary Reese (middleweight)
    • Viacheslav Borshchev vs. James Llontop (lightweight)
    • Wang Cong vs. Victoria Leonardo (women’s flyweight)

  • Cormier On Pereira’s Cannonier Callout: “What Are We Doing Here?”

    Former UFC double champion Daniel Cormier has laughed off Alex Pereira’s callout of Jared Cannonier telling the fighter to be realistic.

    Pereira took the opportunity in his post-fight press conference at UFC Vegas 50 to call out ‘The Killa Gorilla’ following his unanimous decision win over Bruno Silva.

    The UFC middleweight is now 2-0 in the UFC having already defeated Andreas Michailidis in his spectacular UFC debut where he pulled off a flying knee knockout.

    Since joining the UFC, it hasn’t taken long for Pereira to bring up his former foe Israel Adesanya with the Brazilian mentioning him often in the build-up to UFC Vegas 50.

    Their rivalry goes far back to Pereira’s early days competing in Glory where he is widely known as the only man to defeat Adesanya having done so twice. Once via unanimous decision, with the second time coming in even more convincing fashion scoring a KO/TKO victory.

    It now appears Pereira is looking for the quickest route possible to a title shot against the UFC middleweight champion. His latest callout of Cannonier seems ambitious in implying the former Glory kickboxing double-champion wants to fight Adesanya as soon as possible.

    UFC Vegas 50's Alex Pereira taking one fight at a time: 'I want to work and become champion' - MMAmania.com
    Alex Pereira

    Yet Cannonier looks set for the next title shot himself meaning the Brazilian’s callout seems unrealistic at this stage. Especially considering Pereira has only had two fights in the organization and is yet to face a ranked opponent.

    Cormier has now taken the opportunity to give his thoughts on Pereira’s callout on his ESPN show DC & RC. (h/t BJPenn.com)

    “He goes and calls out a guy in Jared Cannonier who’s obviously fighting for the championship,” said Cormier. “Like what are we doing here? I mean, fight someone in the top 15 [first], fight someone in the top 10. Like, I get shooting for the stars, but the stars is anyone with a number next to their name at this point.

    “Then again, it’s the wins over Izzy in kickboxing that gives him this sense of invincibility. He’s watching this guy that he knocked out run roughshod over the division, become a megastar and make tons of money. Ultimately, he’s trying to find the shortest path to get to where he feels he belongs. So, hats off to him. But, come on man! Let’s be realistic in the way that we approach our journey through the UFC’s rankings.”

    It’s clear Cormier wants to see Pereira face a ranked opponent before he is even mentioned amongst the top contenders at middleweight. We may well see Pereira modify his preferred opponent should Cannonier be confirmed to face Adesanya next any time soon.

    What do you make of Alex Pereira’s callout of Jared Cannonier?

  • Alex Pereira Wants Big Step Up In Form Of Jared Cannonier: “Why Not?”

    Alex Pereira hasn’t entered the Top 15 yet in the UFC middleweight rankings, but he has his eyes on top contender Jared Cannonier.

    Pereira outlasted a tough Bruno Silva to kick off the main card of UFC Vegas 50. Despite having Silva badly hurt in the third round, Pereira wasn’t able to secure the finish and would settle for a unanimous decision victory.

    Pereira is now 2-0 in the UFC after a decorated career in Glory Kickboxing. He also has a 5-1 record in MMA and seems focused on title contention in the UFC.

    Pereira has discussed a potential third fight with Israel Adesanya in the UFC after beating him twice in kickboxing. However, Pereira thinks he’s ready for a fight with Cannonier next following Cannonier’s knockout over Derek Brunson at UFC 271.

    During his UFC Vegas 50 post-fight press conference, Pereira explained his reasoning behind calling out Cannonier so early into his UFC career.

    “I had talked about Jared Cannonier because he’s a guy that is next for a title shot,” Pereira said. “Some people have already talked about me and Adesanya, so why not Cannonier? I don’t think I’m talking too much calling out Cannonier.

    “I had two great fights and I was able to showcase my skills. I didn’t even show everything that I go through my daily basis training with Glover Teixeira’s gym. I’m improving and evolving every day. Where I am in the division? I don’t know. I’ll let the promotors talk and they’ll know where to properly put me in.” (h/t MMA Junkie)

    Before his win over Silva, Pereira passed his first UFC test with flying colors against Andreas Michailidis at UFC 268. He earned a violent flying knee knockout that put the rest of the division on notice.

    Cannonier is expected to face Adesanya for the next middleweight title shot later this year. If he were to lose, a fight against Pereira may happen down the line.

    For now,

    UFC Vegas 50: Pros react to Alex Pereira's unanimous decision win over Bruno Silva - Bloody Elbow

    Alex Pereira is planning his next move in the UFC Octagon as he continues to pursue his long-standing rival Adesanya.

    Who do you want Alex Pereira to fight next?

  • Israel Adesanya Pleaded With Jared Cannonier To Beat Derek Brunson

    UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya has revealed the encouragement he gave to top contender Jared Cannonier ahead of UFC 271.

    Two of this weekend’s biggest fights on pay-per-view saw crucial middleweight clashes go down. While the reigning king ran it back with former rival Robert Whittaker in the main event, top-five veterans Cannonier and Derek Brunson collided earlier in the night, with a title shot seemingly on the line.

    Towards the end of the opening round, it appeared the undefeated run of “Blonde” Brunson was set to continue. But after the round-ending horn cut short a rear-naked choke attempt, the tide turned.

    “The Killa Gorilla” came out in the second and made the most of his stand-up advantage. After one early shot appeared to affect Brunson’s movement and posture, Cannonier went in for the kill.

    With a vicious elbow and clean backhand, the #3-ranked 185lber rocked his counterpart and sent him to the ground. From there, some sickening elbows signaled the end.

    Adesanya Gets His Fresh Meat

    While predictions were largely split heading into the contest, with many backing Brunson’s previous form and five-fight win streak, one man was firmly supporting Cannonier on fight night—that man being the champ.

    Having already faced and defeated Brunson on his way to the title in 2018, as well as dispatching most other contenders in the weight class, “The Last Stylebender” favored the idea of facing a fresh challenge next.

    During his appearance at the UFC 271 post-fight press conference, which came after he successfully defended the middleweight gold for the fourth time, Adesanya revealed the encouragement he gave Cannonier during fight week.

    “I just saw bits and pieces. I think he even got rocked. I saw he got taken down, and then he elbowed Brunson. And so I didn’t really take stock. I’ll go back and watch the fight later on and see what it is,” said Adesanya. “But he made a statement. And I even told him after the weigh-ins, I said, ‘Look, please take this guy out so I can get some fresh meat.’ And he said, ‘Bro, I’m trying to work.’ I said, ‘Me, too.’ So I’m a man of my word.”

    With apparent post-fight confirmation from all parties, including UFC President Dana White, it seems Adesanya’s next challenger is locked in. Targeting a June return, “The Last Stylebender” looks set to have the chance to add another name to his résumé in the form of Cannonier.

    Would you like to see Israel Adesanya’s Next Fight be against Jared Cannonier?

  • Derek Brunson Speaks Out Following UFC 271 Loss To Jared Cannonier

    UFC middleweight contender Derek Brunson addressed his fans following a disappointing loss to Jared Cannonier.

    Brunson fell to Cannonier at UFC 271 via second-round knockout after a dominant opening round. He utilized his wrestling and nearly sunk in a rear-naked choke submission as the first round came to a close.

    However, Cannonier was able to find his footing in the second round and overwhelm Brunson with strikes. He would eventually land a lead elbow that dropped Brunson and followed it up with heavy ground-and-pound shots.

    The fight was built up as a No. 1 middleweight contender fight between two of the top-4 middleweights in the UFC. Cannonier will more than likely get the next shot at Israel Adesanya later this year.

    Shortly after the loss, Brunson took to social media to address his fans and update them on how he’s doing physically and mentally.

    “Made a title push. Number 3 vs. 4 in the world,” Brunson said. “I came up short. Life lessons. I’m all good, sad but life will give you [these] moments.”

    Entering UFC 271, Brunson was arguably the hottest middleweight in the UFC with five-straight wins. He hadn’t lost since falling to Adesanya at UFC 230 as the champion made his rise towards the title conversation.

    Brunson has one more fight left on his deal and plans on competing once more in the Octagon before he calls it quits. Brunson made his UFC debut at UFC 155 following an up-and-down tenure in Strikeforce. Leading up to UFC 271, he alluded to retirement following the conclusion of his contract.

    Who do you want to see Derek Brunson fight for his final UFC appearance?

  • Cannonier Rejects ‘Grappler V. Striker’ Narrative Ahead Of Brunson Fight

    UFC middleweight contender Jared Cannonier wants to prove that he can wrestle with the best of them, including UFC 271 opponent Derek Brunson.

    Cannonier and Brunson are set to meet in a middleweight showcase on the UFC 271 main card. Both men are vying for a potential title shot against the winner of Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker.

    Cannonier has always been known for his ferocious striking and intimidating presence in the Octagon. His grappling hasn’t been discussed as much by the MMA faithful, but he showed off superb takedown defense in recent wins over Kelvin Gastelum and Jack Hermansson.

    Cannonier will face a tough test against Brunson, arguably the best wrestler in the middleweight division. During his UFC 271 media day press conference, Cannonier seemed to welcome the challenge.

    “I can grapple. I train at The MMA Lab and we got good grapplers, D-1 level wrestlers that I’m learning from,” Cannonier said. “They don’t have to be the same size as me, but we got some big guys in there. I’ve trained with the little guys damn near my whole career. You see how far that’s gotten me.

    UFC Fight Night 160 results, highlights: Jared Cannonier blasts Jack Hermansson for second round TKO - CBSSports.com
    Jared Cannonier, Image: 2019 Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

    “Yeah, I can grapple too. I can wrestle too. I have a pair of wrestling shoes my damn self. They’re probably not as worn out as his, he’s been doing it way longer than me, but my mind allows me to be as good as these other guys when I need be. You may see me taking him down if the opportunity presents itself.”

    Cannonier has won four of his last five fights over some of the best contenders in the division. He has fought at multiple weight classes during his UFC career but seems to have found a home at 185 pounds.

    This is arguably Cannonier’s biggest fight to date and biggest test inside the cage. If he ends up being victorious against Brunson, he’ll likely need to utilize some grappling skills in the process.

    What is your prediction for Jared Cannonier vs. Derek Brunson?