Jared Cannonier suffered an injury that prevented him from accepting a fight against Khamzat Chimaev, who went on to defeat Kamaru Usman via majority decision instead, causing Cannonier to miss out on the opportunity to fight for a title shot.
Jared Cannonier’s hopes for two big fights were dashed due to an injury he suffered. After Khamzat Chimaev pulled out of his fight at UFC 294, officials searched for a replacement opponent and eventually settled on Kamaru Usman. However, it was revealed that Cannonier had actually received the call first and had agreed to the bout, but unfortunately, he injured himself in training shortly after. He expressed disappointment in missing out on the opportunity, especially since he believes he would have been a more suitable choice than Usman due to his record and recent victories over top opponents.
Cannonier, also known as “Tha Killa Gorilla,” has been a prominent figure in the middleweight division since 2018 and holds an impressive 7-2 record. His only losses came from Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker. Just 10 months ago, he secured a split decision win against current champion Sean Strickland. In June, Cannonier defeated Marvin Vettori in a dominant unanimous decision victory, landing the most significant strikes in a UFC middleweight bout. Despite his achievements, he could only watch as another fighter took the opportunity he had hoped for.
Unfortunately, Cannonier’s injury will keep him out of action for at least five months, forcing him to pull out of a previously scheduled fight against Roman Dolidze. Turning 40 in March, Cannonier expressed uncertainty about his future in the sport and what opportunities will be available to him when he returns. He emphasized his desire to hurt his opponents and bring excitement to the fights, without resorting to excessive showmanship. Cannonier firmly believed that Chimaev didn’t deserve a shot at the middleweight title and accused the UFC of prioritizing entertainment over merit.
Despite acknowledging Chimaev’s talent, Cannonier criticized the preference for flashy fighters and the lack of recognition for his own accomplishments. He expressed his readiness to return to the octagon and continue breaking records and heads. Determined to make a statement, Cannonier didn’t shy away from calling out the UFC and his competitors, making it clear that he won’t be overlooked for long.