Jared Cannonier could also be 40 years previous however don’t count on him to start out opening the door for middleweight prospects trying to make use of him as a stepping stone in their very own careers.
Following a disappointing marketing campaign in 2024 that ended with two consecutive losses, Cannonier had lots using on his combat in opposition to Gregory Rodrigues at UFC Vegas 102. After surviving an early storm, Cannonier proved himself once more after he bludgeoned Rodrigues with punches to attain a fourth-round stoppage and put himself proper again within the thick of the highest 10 within the middleweight division.
Whereas he by no means blinked when the UFC got here calling with an unranked opponent, Cannonier refused to consider he was being seen because the final roadblock for someone like Rodrigues to steal his spot within the division.
“I don’t suppose anyone’s put that tag on me,” Cannonier stated about being a gatekeeper throughout the UFC Vegas 102 post-fight press convention. “It’s simply once I was doing all these interviews, the best way I used to be answering the questions it sounded as if I used to be a gatekeeper. Since you guys stored saying ‘you’re combating this up and comer, you’re combating a second up and comer, you’re combating one other up and comer.’ Doesn’t that sound like ‘hey, you’re a gatekeeper’?
“I used to be simply illustrating it feels like I’m a gatekeeper. That’s not how I see myself although. That’s by no means how I’m going to see myself. That’s by no means what I’m going to be. I’m not a gatekeeper.”
For all of the methods Cannonier has far fewer years forward of him within the UFC than what’s already behind, he nonetheless believes he’s at his peak situation with a possibility to make a run on the prime of the division once more.
That’s why Cannonier would ideally prefer to get a ranked opponent for his subsequent combat, though admittedly these decisions are just a few and much between proper now. The names on the checklist of fighters Cannonier has already fought contains Nassourdine Imavov, Sean Strickland, Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker and Caio Borralho.
“[Five] folks within the rankings forward of me have crushed me,” Cannonier stated. “I’m ranked No. 7 so which means [two] individuals who I haven’t fought or haven’t beat. Two individuals who I haven’t fought [are] Dricus and Khamzat [Chimaev] and 5 folks I’ve fought.”
It says lots about Cannonier’s longevity that he’s really gone to battle with 5 out of the seven fighters forward of him within the UFC’s rankings however that additionally limits his choices.
Nonetheless, Cannonier is staying prepared for no matter will get thrown at him as a result of whether or not it’s a rematch with a previous opponent or simply getting the decision to combat for the title, he’s staying prepared for something.
“When you have been to take a look at the rankings, I would love a ranked opponent for certain,” Cannonier stated. “I believe I’m undoubtedly going to get a ranked opponent after that victory. I would love someone ranked increased than me. Sadly, all of the folks ranked increased than me are both in line to get a title shot or [they] are going to attend for a title shot or simply beat me. However I’m not going rule something out. If they are saying ‘hey Jared, we’d like you to combat Dricus [du Plessis] subsequent for the belt.’ I’m like hell sure, I’m prepared.
“Completely with that being stated, so long as I maintain profitable [I’m ready for those rematches].”
